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The Eroica of Gaiole: all the information for a journey through history! When I think of the Eroica, I imagine I have been on a journey. In fact, by participating in any of the five itineraries proposed on the official website, I had the impression of traveling. The Eroica is a geographic journey, in that it allows you to admire the Tuscan landscapes, a historical journey, in that you travel some period roads, and an extrasensory journey, in that at a certain point the mystical visions arrive (the Sante Marie section is aptly named).
Here I leave you the VIDEO of my experience!
Eroica di Gaiole, five different routes
The Eroica of Gaiole is the first and most famous of the Eroica events. Currently, in fact, there are several Eroica events: in addition to the classic one in Gaiole, those in Montalcino, the Dolomites, Germany, Cuba and China are worth mentioning. The Gaiole 2025 Eroica counted 9003 participants, divided (almost equally) among the five routes: 25 percent of the heroics participated in the medium route, the 134-kilometer route. This was the route I chose: I was very pleased with the choice!
Forty percent of entrants come from abroad, while Sunday is the day with the most participants (55 percent). In fact, the 46-, 81- and 106-kilometer routes are scheduled on Sunday, and the 134- and 209-kilometer routes on Saturday. Now it is time to describe the route I have chosen, which is the medium route of the Eroica!
Eroica di Gaiole, medium route: from Gaiole to Siena
I set off from Gaiole in Chianti at 6:45 am. Lights are necessary, and three layers are also essential: at the start the temperature was around 5 degrees Celsius. In the first ten kilometers I suffered so much from the cold: in Brolio a break was more than necessary! It was about 7:15 a.m.: I was drinking a cappuccino, while some heroes were already drinking their first half-liter of beer.
At Brolio a first dirt path (adorned with beautiful little lights) leads up to the castle, which is a real medieval jewel. Brolio is also famous for its vineyards-Tuscany is a sight to behold!
A second sector of unpaved roads, namely that of Montechiaro, makes it possible to approach Siena (DEEPENING). Piazza del Campo hosts the first refreshment stop: here you must also get your heroic passport stamped (essential to carry it with you always: I picked it up, with the race packet, the day before the event).
Eroica di Gaiole, medium route: from Siena to Asciano
To exit Siena you face a steep climb and then a short busy section. At kilometer 40 the dirt section leading to Radi begins: the views are absolutely superb! At kilometer 56 I arrived in Murlo. To enter the beautiful medieval village there is a very steep dirt climb: here I stepped on the ground for the first time!
In Murlo I refreshed myself with bread and oil and bread and salami: I knew the good stuff was yet to come! Shortly after the refreshment stop, in fact, I took two dirt roads: each of them is about ten kilometers long. Halfway along the first dirt road is the junction: I went left, following the medium route, while turning right I would have continued towards Montalcino, following the heroic route.
The most complicated dirt road I encountered after Ponte d’Arbia: steep ups and downs put a strain on my legs, while my eyes admired the beautiful cypress trees!
So I arrived broken at kilometer 87: Asciano welcomed me with splendid refreshments.
Eroica di Gaiole, medium route: from Asciano to Castelnuovo
At the refreshment stop in Asciano, however, I made a serious mistake, eating bananas, tarts, oil sandwich, ribollita and wine in that order. My stomach did not like the order of food! Just after Asciano begins the most famous dirt road of the Eroica, namely that of Sante Marie. At 11.5 kilometers long, this magnificent section is dedicated to Fabian Cancellara, a protagonist of the Strade Bianche in various years. In the Sante Marie section I blatantly went into difficulty, repeatedly putting my foot down on the steep sections. Also, about halfway through the Sante Marie sector, the inner tube in front literally exploded: it felt like being in the front row at a fireworks event.
Fortunately, the damage was limited to the inner tube, which was changed with the help of assistance. Shortly after the end of Sante Marie I arrived in Castelnuovo: I was now at km 105, and had reached the last refreshment point.
Eroica di Gaiole, medium route: from Castelnuovo to Gaiole in Chianti
The stretch of dirt road was now over. I found another medium-long fork and, of course, followed the medium, avoiding going through Radda in Chianti. This section of the Eroica is not paved, but that does not mean it is easy: in fact, there is no shortage of elevation gain even in this final part.
The crossing of the Bossi vineyards was, however, once again wonderful. Shortly after Bossi I returned to Brolio: there were now only ten kilometers to go.
I must admit that upon arrival, which occurred 12 hours after departure, I was getting emotional: I had, in fact, completed the Eroica!
Eroica di Gaiole, the refreshments
The refreshments at the Gaiole Eroica are one of the reasons that make the Eroica a special race. In the medium course I found four refreshments: Siena, Murlo, Asciano and Castelnuovo. In the long run there are six refreshments. In the refreshments you can see the non-competitive spirit that characterizes the Eroica. Everyone stops, relaxes and eats typical Tuscan dishes: ribollita is a great classic!
This feeling of calm, of peace, of relaxation is something typical of the Eroica, which cannot be found in the more famous Granfondo. Even in the Granfondo Strade Bianche (which I appreciate very much anyway, having participated three times with a historic yellow Carnielli) there is a competitive spirit, which I do not like very much. The Strade Bianche, however, is a beautiful event: it takes place on dirt sections that are in close proximity to those of the Eroica.
IN ADDITION TO THE GAIOLE HEROICS, YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN …
My journey from Italy to the North Cape!
INFORMATION ON THE HEROICS OF GAIOLE
- This is the link where you can find all the information about the Gaiole Eroica. Here I only quote you the data of the medium route (134 kilometers, 2400 meters of elevation gain and 69 kilometers of dirt roads) and the long route (209 kilometers, 3900 meters of elevation gain and 125 kilometers of dirt roads).
- Here you can find my path. I tell you that I arrived in Gaiole destroyed, but overjoyed!
- I slept in Castellina in Chianti, at the Colombaio hotel, It is about half an hour from Gaiole in Chianti.
- The Eroica begins and ends in Gaiole in Chianti. The town is very small, and you have to book well in advance. For work I slept at Palazzo Leopoldo in Radda in Chianti, just ten minutes away: it is well worth it. There is also a camping option in Gaiole: you have to bring your own tent, but in this way you can fully appreciate the festive atmosphere of the Eroica. There is also the option of pitching your own tent in Monti in Chianti: in this case the organization arranges excellent transfers.
- Parking in Gaiole is not easy. I parked two kilometers away from the start. To return to the car I had to face an additional 150 meters of elevation gain.
- To participate in Eroica you must have a 1987 front bike. Here you can find the official regulations. It is possible to rent a bike from the local bike stores, but I recommend, again, to move well in advance. I participated with a 1964 Legnano: the lightest gear was a 45×28, so you can imagine the uphill effort! Also, you must have a vintage wool jersey: I honored Wilier Triestina (my road bike, the one I used to ride to the North Cape, is a Wilier) with a 1975 wool jersey, found on Glam Sport.
- The Eroica is meant to recall the labors of cyclists of the last century. Until 1960, in fact, stage distances in the Grand Tours often exceeded 300 kilometers: for many it was normal to complete a stage after dark, in the dark, without assistance. Cycling was, however, honest work and allowed cyclists to carry on their family’s income. The Eroica was created for the purpose of remembering the great sacrifices of the time.
- An average of 16 hours is needed to complete a long route. You start between 4 and 5 a.m. (so about 2 or 3 before sunrise) and finish around 8 and 9 p.m. (one or two hours after sunset). At 9 p.m., on my way back to my hotel in Castellina in Chianti, I saw at least a dozen heroics in Radda: still about ten kilometers to go, to be completed in the dark and cold.
- The long route has time gates. If you pass a certain time, the organization still leaves you the option of continuing the long course, but clearly says that assistance will not be guaranteed.
- Speaking of assistance, I have seen so many people on the side of the road. It happens often to get a puncture (someone got a puncture more than three times), and the gears can also suffer. I strongly advise you to put on the lightest gear at the beginning of every tear or climb: shifting while climbing could create big problems for the bike. In this respect, having a supporter ready to pick you up by car could be a very good idea, especially in case of insurmountable problems: in fact, I have seen people who were unable to continue because the bike had now reached the end of the line.
- To complete the average route generally takes between 10 and 12 hours.
- How much do I recommend Eroica? A lot! Prepare yourself for sacrifice and take this journey through history-you will not be disappointed!
