The Eroica was born between the hills of Tuscany; today it has so many fans that is re-invoked in all around the world.
What is the Eroica?
The Eroica started in 1997 in the province of Siena and it’s considered a “cycle-turistic” race because it joins the competition and the knowledge of the surrounding area.
The main idea of this event is to commemorate the cycling of the past that took place mostly on dirt roads, also called “white roads”. The routes of the Eroica are mostly done with dirt roads and racers should use old bicycles.
When does the race take place?
The true Eroica take place the first sunday of october, but it’s also replicated during the year in all over he world and many times in Tuscany.
How to do the Eroica, which bike should I use?
The event is open to everybody but the real “heroic” cyclists are those who show up at the start with a vintage bike that has these features: steel frame; shift levers on the down tube of the frame; brake wires coming out from the levers and pass off the handlebars; pedals with metal toe clips and wheels with at least 32 spokes and low profile rims.
They are awarded with the diploma of the heroic cyclists.
Route details
From where the Eroica take place?
Historical departure was from Gaiole in Chianti and paths meander among Montalcino, Chianti and Val d’Orcia (landscapes that look like paintings with strong images).
The heroic is not a race, but a real bicycle tour that gets challenging on long path. The start is the French way. We are free to start whenever we want, provided within a given and indicated time slot. We know that is usually at dawn. At each check point we get an ink stamp on the road book provided at enrollment. At the end of the event, is then compiled a list of finishers of the race, but without a proper ranking.
Among the good things of the Eroica, there is the possibility of stopping for refreshments in the Tuscan hills. You can have local products including, why not, some good wine.
L’Eroica today is so famous that it attracted fans from all over the world. More than the desire to ride a bike in a outfit all vintage, perhaps, people want to be part of the vast landscape of the Tuscan hills.
This event is also the inspiration for hundreds of photographers. They see parading in front of breathtaking landscapes, hundreds of cyclists that seem to come from the past.
How much does it cost to register?
There are various types of registration, depending on the agegroup or the type of participation. Consider about € 68,00.
For all the info, dates, costs, etc. please consult the official website of the Eroica.
