Л'Эроика — винтажная гонка со вкусом

On Sunday, October 1st, the 21st annual L'Eroica race took place in Tuscany. This non-competitive race is aimed at cyclists wearing vintage cycling gear and riding vintage bicycles.

Part of the route runs along the famous white gravel roads known as Strada Bianche. Participants' bicycles must be no newer than 1987, or replicas of that era. The frame must be steel, with external cable routing. The saddle can be new, but it can be a vintage model. Pedals must have toe-clips.

Sometimes, due to the small number of gears, you have to walk up the hill.

L'Eroic has five routes, ranging from 46 to 209 km. All routes begin and end in Gaiole in Chianti. Due to the race's popularity in Italy, ten more are now held around the world, including South Africa, California, Uruguay, Japan, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK.

The name L'Eroica literally means "heroic," and it's exactly that. The gravel roads are so rough that bikes fall apart and tires burst.

A distinctive feature of L'Eroica are the food stops - sandwiches, sweets, fruit, and you can even drink the local Chianti. 

Participation in the event cost 68 euros, and it was also necessary to provide a medical certificate.