We have arrived at the end of summer and there is a bit of melancholy in the air for the end of the beautiful summer season, but do not worry; autumn promises to be full of events and manifestations in Tuscany and Chianti!
There is something for all tastes, from food and wine events to sporting events. Today we are talking about the latter and an event with a vintage flavor: the “Eroica” which will take place after last year's stop due to Covid, on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October.
The “Eroica” (=heroic) is a cycling event created by a group of "nostalgic" hunters in 1997 in Gaiole in Chianti (about 20 minutes from Borgo Scopeto Relais). It has no competitive purpose like other cycling races, such as the Granfondo del Gallo Nero, but it was born rather as an event that praises the beauty of the past, including routes on our suggestive dirt roads, vintage clothing and above all vintage racing bicycles with the following features:
• steel frame;
• gear levers on the down tube of the frame;
• brake wires that come out of the levers and pass outside the handlebar;
• pedals with cage;
• wheels with at least 32 spokes and low profile rims.
It is therefore called "heroic" precisely because traveling certain roads with the means of the past is undoubtedly a heroic undertaking!
The routes of the Eroica are five and take place starting from Gaiole in Chianti throughout the Chianti area, Siena, Valdorcia and Montalcino. They therefore have different lengths and intensities, so that all those who are minimally trained can participate. Each route offers a partner restaurant for the occasion.
Below are the details of each route.
Leisure ride Valle del Chianti
A quiet route that winds through the vineyards of Chianti Classico and Castello di Brolio, with the city of Siena as a backdrop.
• Distance 46 km
• Difference in altitude 709 m
• Km of white roads 22 km
• Km of asphalted road 24 km
• Number of refreshment points 1
• Departure time 9:00 - 10:00
• Low Difficulty
Short route Gallo Nero
In this route you get to the heart of the event, characterized by four hours of Chianti countryside and two almost obligatory stops in Radda in Chianti where the Eroica official refreshment stop is located and in Lamole, where it is offered by the "Tuscan women” the famous “Ribollita” soup, local cured meats and of course Chianti Classico wine.
• Distance 81km
• Difference in altitude 1,560 m
• Km of white roads 35 km
• Km of asphalted road 46 km
• Number of refreshment points 2
• Departure time 8.00 - 9.30
• Medium-high difficulty
Hundred route Val d’Arbia
This is a new route introduced by this year's edition that crosses the Crete Senesi passing through the Arbia river valley. It is a rather demanding route, with moderate length and height difference.
• Distance 106 km
• Difference in altitude 1,737 m
• Km of dirt roads 49 km
• Km of paved road 57 km
• Number of refreshment points 2
• Departure time 7:00 - 8:00
• Medium difficulty
Medium route – Crete Senesi
In this journey we begin to enter the myth of the Eroica; 10-12 hours of route with more intense differences in height between the Crete Senesi, but which cross some of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany, such as Buonconvento. The ascent of Monte Santa Maria is well known for its difficulty.
• Distance 135 km
• Difference in altitude 2,200 m
• Km of dirt roads 58 km
• Km of paved road 77 km
• Number of refreshment points 4
• Departure time 6:00 - 7:00
• High difficulty
Long route
Here is the real Eroica; A ride that lasts all day (at least 15 hours), a very demanding difference in height that is however rewarded by the beauties of the province of Siena that distinguish the entire route.
• Distance 209 km
• Difference in altitude 3,768 m
• Km of dirt roads 100 km
• Km of paved road 109 km
• Number of refreshment points 5
• Departure time 4.30 - 6.00
• Very high difficulty
It is a date! See you this weekend between the hills of Chianti Classico and the spectacular landscape of the Val d’Orcia!
