L’Eroica
L’Eroica is the anti-sportive; a celebration of cycling of old. It’s from humble beginnings, from 92 riders for the inaugural edition in 1997 to 5,025 in 2013 – but the spirit of the event remains the same.
The event is run over the white gravel roads of Tuscany, with a choice of 38km, 75km, 135km and 209km. Only ‘heroic’ bicycles made before 1987 after permitted on the three longer routes. Steel frames, downtube shifters, toe clips and 32-spoke wheels are the order of the day, while double digit gradients – the 209km course packs in more than 3,700m of climbing – only add to the challenge.
The energy bars and gels that are consumed with gusto at a conventional sportive are swapped for traditional Italian fare and local wine at L’Eroica.
Approximately 5,500 entries will be made available in 2014, with 2,500 drawn from a random ballot of men born between 1955 and 1998, 2,500 divided between over-60s and women, and 500 for guests of the organisers. The online ballot is open from February 1 to March 3.
Date: Sunday October 5
Routes: 38km, 75km, 135km, 209km
Price: €2.50 to subscribe to the ballot
Website: L’Eroica
