L’Eroica

L’Eroica is to cycling what classic car rallies are to auto racing.  

Historically held in October, the event became so popular, they created a spring version, as well as several international events, including California in April.

The idea is that cyclists dressed in vintage clothing, ride classic bicycles 156 km (almost 100 miles) mostly on strata bianchi (gravel roads), just like cycling was 50 to 60 years ago…mostly to prove they can.

It takes herculean effort to complete the course.  Thus the name.  L’Eroica means “the Heroics,” and that’s what it takes to complete the course.

The Spring version of the ride starts in Buonconvento, a small town midway between Pienza and Siena.

The whole town was primed for the event…and the influx of tourist dollars.  Every shop was dressed to the nines with classic cycling themes…even the local enoteca (wine shop). 

More than five hundred cyclists came from all over the world to participate in the event.  We met Germans and Dutch who were participating and saw a Japanese entrant as well.

Vendors from all over came to peddle their vintage parts to classic bike collectors.

One man had found original parts for all but one of the components on his 60’s bike.  He desperately went from vendor to vendor with a 60’s catalog trying to find that last missing piece.

Since period clothing is required, there was quite a collection of jerseys and shorts for sale.

…and a number of people willing to play the role down to the shoe laces.

This man is the curator of Italy’s National Bicycle Museum.

So here are a few of the rules:

Period clothing required.

No spandex permitted.

Brake cables have to loop over the handlebars.

(Today’s almost always lie under the handlebar tape)

Gear shifters must be on the down tube.

(Today’s are on the handlebars, under the brake levers)

No pedals that clip to your bike shoes.

Toe clips are the most high-tech allowed,

Along with very strict rules for  every square cm of your bicycle and clothing, there is absolutely no deviating from the prescribed route.

Any infraction will earn you a minimum two-year ban.

There are 8 stops along the way where you must get an official stamp and signature on your entry card.

For the first time, L’Eroica Primavera (the Spring version) came through Pienza…roughly two-thirds of the way through the course.  This is the race leader making his way through town.

Carol and Roger went to watch along with their friends Paola and Mario.

And wouldn’t you know, Mario met a rider from the same small town north of Milano where he’d grown up.