photo Paolo Martelli
L'Eroica: Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October
The event between history and cycling returns to Chianti
There is dust, fatigue, bicycles cared for with maniacal passion. There are nature, dirt roads, glasses with round and dark lenses to make accountant Filini envious and unforgettable names and symbols for those who love cycling or simply know who Coppi and Bartali were.
It is the Eroica, the cycling event born more than twenty years ago from an intuition of Giancarlo Brocci to recall the stages raced on dirt roads by the greats of cycling that returns on time with its colorful and varied platoon of fans in Gaiole in Chianti, where it was born and where it branched out to bring the experience around the world.
But wheels and pedals are above all tools to enhance the environment, to exalt a sustainable lifestyle, to keep clean the image of a sport that, in other contexts and situations, has lost some of the light that animates it for more than a century.
ph Paolo Martelli So here are the vintage bicycles, the wool or acrylic uniforms embroidered with the names of the sponsors, the water bottle holders on the handlebars, the lunch in the jute bag on the shoulder and everything that reminds us of cycling in the past.
5,000 cyclists, from the 92 who began the adventure, will meet behind the starting line to ride along the white roads of Chianti, the preservation of which is one of the priorities of the Eroica Foundation: five routes, from the 46 kilometers of the walk to the 209 of the long route, through valleys, woods, vineyards, along daring descents and exhausting climbs.
ph Paolo Martelli Brolio, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Montalcino, Murlo, Siena, Castellina and Radda are among the towns crossed where cyclists can find hospitality, refreshments and accommodation that remain so every day of the year, in order to experience the Eroica also with the permanent route. Kid Road Book to the hand is in fact possible to be affixed the stamps: to the sixth one comes "rewarded" with the diploma of "Eroico" to feel a little bit Coppi. Or Bartali. An eternal dilemma.
The permanent route of the Eroica covers a total of 209 km in the heart of the Terre di Siena through the Chianti, Crete Senesi and Val d'Orcia areas, making a journey through the essence of the legendary Tuscan landscape and presenting technical characteristics that make this itinerary a great opportunity for cycling tourists. The route is characterised by continuous movement on asphalt and dirt roads and has a total elevation gain of about 3,800 metres.
The five routes of L'Eroica 2023
THE ROUTES - THE LONG - Saturday 30 September from 4:30 to 6:00
212.5 kilometres for 3887 metres of altitude difference and 145 kilometres of white roads.
A long enchanting ride that finds its charm in the 4:30 a.m. start with the night passage to the Brolio Castle through the torch-lit avenue, the entrance to Piazza del Campo in Siena with the early morning mist for a long ride that can last up to 15 hours.
THE ROUTES - THE MEDIO CRETE SENESI - Saturday 30 September from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
132.6 kilometres for 2235 metres of altitude difference and 72.70 kilometres of white roads.
This is the route known for the ascent of Monte Sante Marie, which puts many cyclists, even experienced ones, to the test. Fascinating is the passage through the medieval Buonconvento, one of the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia'.
THE ROUTES - THE CENTO VAL d'ARBIA - Sunday 1 October from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m.
106 kilometres for 1793 metres of altitude difference and 59.40 kilometres of white roads.
This is the new route of the Val d'Arbia that will take cyclists from Leccione to the foot of the Castello di Brolio in Siena, then down towards Radi and back up through Asciano and Castelnuovo Berardenga.
THE ROUTES - THE BLACK COURT - Sunday 1 October from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
81 kilometres for 1612 metres of altitude difference and 34 kilometres of white roads.
A classic within the reach of many that can be done in just 4 hours. Fascinating passage to the dusty Volpaia and obligatory stop in Panzano at Cecchini's and at the refreshment stop in Lamole to taste the Ribollita accompanied by a glass of Chianti Classico.
THE ROUTES - THE CHIANTI VALLEY WALK - Sunday 1 October from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
46 kilometres for 755 metres of altitude difference and 20.70 kilometres of white roads.
The route is famous for the passage to the Castle of Brolio and the visit to the Eroica Café and the gentle descent to Pianella with beautiful Siena in the background. Don't forget to take a photo at Leccione on the estate of Baron Ricasoli, also portrayed in Bernardo Bertolucci's film, 'Io ballo da sola'.
The programme for the long weekend with L'Eroica 2023
FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER
11.00 am - Inauguration of Casa Eroica
11.30 am - Eroica Classic Press Conference - Auditorium
14.00 - 16.00 Elegance Contest
14.30 - CICLO CLUB EROICA Ride Bike hosted by Santini
17.00 - 18.00 Beard & Moustache Competition - Piazza Ricasoli
4.30 pm - Speech by Anna Trevisi with Mary Cressari: Heroic and modern female cycling
5.30 pm - Beppe Saronni talks about "his" cycling - Colnago Stand
5.30 p.m. - Start of the MINI EROICA "Luciano Berruti
SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER
DEPARTURES
04.30 - Long "L'EROICA" Km 209 reserved for bicycles before 1930s
05.00 - 06.00 Long "THE HEROIC" Km 209
06.00 - 07.00 Middle "CRETE SENESI" 135 Km
09.30 - 11.30 HEROES ON FOOT - A walk through culture, landscape and food and wine
SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER
DEPARTURES
7.00 am - 7.30 am Medium "CENTO" Km 106
8.00 - 9.30 a.m. Medio "GALLO NERO" Km 81
8.00 - 9.30 am Short "LE VALLI DEL CHIANTI" 46 km
09.30 - 11.30 HEROES ON FOOT - Walk among culture, landscape and food and wine
