L'Eroica di Gaiole is a historic cycling race that, on the first Sunday of October, has taken place for over twenty years along the white roads of Chianti and the Crete Senesi, near Siena.
The name "Eroica" (Heroic) is fitting: the route, 209 km of which over half is unpaved, must be ridden — as per the rules — on vintage bicycles built before the early 1980s, with correspondingly "rough" brakes and gears. The elevation gain is significant: by the end of the full route, riders climb over 3,500 metres, all dressed in period clothing.
A true enthusiasts' experience, starting in the dark at 5:00 AM and finishing no earlier than 4:00 PM — though in reality only a few manage to complete the long route in this record time; often the last, exhausted riders arrive after sunset. To let less-trained fans experience the Eroica spirit too, shorter routes were introduced over the years: from a still-demanding 130 km down to the 46 km "walks", letting riders savour the beauty of the landscape in the spirit of Bartali, Coppi, Merckx and Gimondi.
All routes start and finish in Gaiole in Chianti, home town of Giancarlo Brocci, the event's founder. The main route crosses, among others, Castello di Brolio, Pianella, Radi, Castiglion del Bosco, Montalcino, Torrenieri, Buonconvento, Asciano, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Vagliagli and Radda in Chianti, before returning to Gaiole.
Along the way you'll pass the famous unpaved climbs of Monte Sante Marie and the Lamole-Volpaia ascent, plus numerous food stops offering the most typical Tuscan dishes: ribollita, cantuccini, panforte, all paired with a good glass of red wine.
Il Vichiaccio is just a few kilometres from the Eroica route — the ideal base whether you're riding or simply watching this historic Chianti race.
