L’Eroica (‘the heroic’) is a cycling event held once a year in the Chianti region of Italy. First held in 1997, the ride originated as an event aimed at saving the ‘Strada Bianche’ of Tuscany (rough white gravel tracks) from being covered in Tarmac. Now, almost 15 years later, the Strada Bianche still exists (as a permanent waymarked route) and the annual ride attracts around 4,000 entrants from around the world.
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
It’s not just the white roads that make L’Eroica such a unique and popular event. The ride is restricted to pre-1987 road bikes (no mountain bikes), with steel frames, non indexed ‘down tube’ gear levers, exposed brake cables and good old fashioned toe-clips and straps. Most of the riders even choose to ride in the wool jerseys and shorts; leather helmets and small caps of yester-year............
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
and some choose what I would consider to be 'fancy dress'!
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
It was Andrea’s enthusiasm and ‘bullying’ that saw Evelyn and myself getting our 'carnets' stamped and lining up at the start line in Gaiole in Chianti just before 7am on October 2nd 2011. Eve on a Campagnolo equipped 1961 Eroba Race and me on the renovated Henry Burton (with a few bits of the original kit) that I used to race on back in 1978.
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
On the day there is the option to choose from one of 4 different distances – 38, 75, 135, and 205km. We opted for the 135km route, with 8 sections of white road totalling almost 60km and 1782m of climbing! In keeping with the period, I carried my trusty Rollei B35 along with 3 rolls of Rollei Retro 100 iso film.
Like an Audax event, proof of completing the route is via a ‘carnet’ - A card that is stamped at ‘check points’ along the route. At L’Eroica, checkpoints are classed as a ‘ristoro’ and at each point a feast awaits with fruit, bread, stew, cheese and jams along with bottles of chianti and grappe! There are 3 ristoros on the 135km route and each provides a welcome break and chance to refuel and rehydrate in the 40C heat.
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
The toughest part of the course was around the second feed, at Asciano. Coming into the feed the last section of Strade Bianche had a steep and scary descent, with lots of potholes and loose gravel. Leaving the feed we were faced with the ascent of monte Sante Marie – a 12km stretch of gravel road incorporating a 135m ascent in 6.5km. Some (myself included) managed to ride the steep, rutted and gravely climb…
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
Some (sorry Eve) got off and pushed…………
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
whilst some carried!
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
We arrived at the finish in Gaiole at 4.15pm – a 9 ½ hour day - and were presented with a bottle of chianti and a paneforte ‘cake’ as we passed the finish line. Deanne and Andrea waiting with a very welcome cold beer. Personally, (nearly 40yrs after joining my first cycling club) I can’t think of a ride that I’ve enjoyed more. The atmosphere, the challenge, the whole experience of L’Eroica is something not to be missed. Crossing the line, the ‘rush’ through my body made me feel a teenager all over again. – L’Eroica is a MUST for every cycling enthusiast, especially if your heroes are Merckx, Gimondi, Coppi, DeVlaemink (or any of the other ‘real’ cyclists)!
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
This is one that the Italians beat the Danes too – Probably? No L’Eroica IS THE BEST bike ride in the world!
L'Eroica 2011 by
windy_, on Flickr
