Articolo disponibile anche in: Italian

Next Sunday, 1 October, in Gaiole in Chianti (Siena), the Twenty-first edition of L’Eroica, the world-popular vintage cycling event will take place, with thousands of cyclists from every continent taking part.

From tomorrow, the transformation of Gaiole will begin. It will turn into a village of passion and love for heroic cycling and for its timeless champions who wrote history and not only with their sporting feats.

Indeed, the success of the event is founded on the values that inspire it, since its launch way back in 1997: bicycles like those of the past, white roads like those of times gone by, wool jerseys, the ones worn by those figures that the most enthusiastic fans love to remember. All this to “experience the beauty of fatigue and the thrill of the conquest” and the exhilaration this evokes.

On Sunday 1 October, each rider will choose his/her own adventure, from 46km to the 209km of the most heroic route, each will find the perfect setting for their own personal challenge, returning to Gaiole in Chianti with dead-tired legs but with their hearts full of joy. L’Eroica, at the end of the day, is a little bit magical, it’s poetry on two wheels. L’Eroica itself is the last but best event of all those programmed for next weekend.

The magical atmosphere of L’Eroica will begin on Thursday in  Brolio Castle, with the inauguration of the historical bicycle exhibition in the Cantine Ricasoli wine cellars. Brolio, its castle, the Ricasoli wine cellars and Eroica Caffè Agribar will be at the centre of a series of interesting initiatives and a visit, or even more than one visit, will be absolutely necessary.

On Thursday, the Eroica Caffè will open in Gaiole in Chianti, in the ex-cantine Ricasoli, the beating heart of the whole organization. From Thursday too, it will be possible to visit: the exhibit/market dedicated to Alfonsina Strada at the Municipal Library and the exhibition of Miguel Soro’s works dedicated to Luciano Berruti. In the evening in the auditorium: “LA ROTONDA STORIA DELLA BICICLETTA” (“The Round Story of the Bicycle”), a show written and performed by the Compagnia Teatri d’Imbarco.

On Friday, the “The History of Cycling” exhibit by Campagnolo will open and it will be possible to register your bike on the Register of “Bici Eroiche” (Heroic Bikes). There will be lots of music wherever you go in Gaiole. At 19.30, members of the Ciclo Club Eroica are invited to an  aperitif/supper at the Eroica Caffè Brolio with music and the presentation of the book “I sarti italiani della bicicletta” (“The Italian bicycle tailors”).

On Saturday, the eve of L’Eroica, it will be time for the market, the collection of race packs and the Concours d’Elegance but, most of all, it will be time to commemorate Luciano Berruti, a moment which the whole Eroica world wants to share with affection and nostalgia. Then we will meet the Eroicas in the world, the partners, Institutions and all those who contribute to the success of L’Eroica, and the new Santini collection will be presented. After that, the traditional and much anticipated “Meeting with the Authors”. In the afternoon, Mini Eroica, the Heroic Whiskers competition and Holy Mass in commemoration of Luciano Berruti. Then it’s back to the ex-Cantine Ricasoli to hear about the Fondazione L’Eroica projects and participate in the meeting with Davide Cassani and Marco Selleri who will talk about the cycling of tomorrow. In the evening, the Hero’s Dinner during which we will hold the Eroica charity auction.

On Sunday, L’Eroica, with its five routes, cyclists setting off while it’s still night, torch-light on the climb leading up to Brolio Castle, the white roads and food stops offering ribollita and Chianti. For non-cyclists, there is the chance to participate in the legendary Tour of the food stops.

With L’Eroica, Gaiole in Chianti becomes a global village, entirely dedicated to heroic cycling and to the joy that bygone days awakens in all its participants. Gaiole is normally very quiet but during L’Eroica it is transformed to honour the passion of thousands of men and women from every corner of the world.

The ex-Cantine Ricasoli are the centre of the village that turns Gaiole in Chianti into the “Woodstock of heroic cycling”, the type of cycling that has conquered the whole world.

Programme 2017 – GAIOLE IN CHIANTI – 28 September – 1 October 2017

BROLIO CASTLE – EXHIBITION OF HISTORICAL BIKES
from FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER to SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER
The beautiful Barone Ricasoli cellars will host bicycles and mementos that have made cycling history.

BROLIO CASTLE – WAITING FOR L’EROICA with BARONE RICASOLI

  • FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER, 11:00: guided visit in ITALIAN
  • SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER, 10:30: guided visit in ITALIAN (reserved for CICLO CLUB EROICA members)
  • SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER, 11:00: guided visit in ENGLISH
  • SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER, 15:00: guided visit in ENGLISH (reserved for CICLO CLUB EROICA members)

Guided visit of the Cellars and Exhibition of Historical and Eroica Bikes; followed by a tasting of three Barone Ricasoli wines with aperitif at the Eroica Caffè Brolio and gourmet lunch break at the Osteria del Castello. Reservation is mandatory: +39 0577/730217 – s.brandini@ricasoli.it

SHUTTLE BUS GAIOLE IN CHIANTI – BROLIO -GAIOLE IN CHIANTI

EROICA CAFFÈ – BROLIO
Open daily
Loc. Madonna a Brolio – Brolio Castle Cellars
All heroes are welcome.

EROICA CAFFÈ – Gaiole in Chianti
from THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER to SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER
Ex Cantine Ricasoli
Thursday 28/09/2016: 12:00 – 18:00
Friday 29/09/2016: 8:00 – 20:00
Saturday 30/09/2016: 8:00 – 20:00
Sunday 01/10/2016: 5:00 – 18:00
Eroica Caffè is the perfect place to savour an Eroica Goppion coffee, prepared by the skilled baristas of “La Marzocco”. It is also the ideal place to sit, chat and delight your palate with typical Tuscan morsels from the “Forno Menchetti”, offering slices of pizza, sandwiches, pasta and main courses and authentic Tuscan desserts.

MUNICIPAL LIBRARY GAIOLE IN CHIANTI
– from THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER to SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER (during library opening hours)
Heroic stories: ALFONSINA AND THE CIRCUS exhibition, dedicated to Alfonsina Morini, the only woman ever to have participated in the Giro d’Italia. Presentation: Friday 29 September at 17:00
– from FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER to SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER (during library opening hours)
Heroic stories: BOOK EXHIBIT AND MARKET
– FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER, 17:00 – SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER, 10:30
LABORATORY FOR CHILDREN aged 4 to 10

– SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER, 17:00
NUGGETS OF POETRY BY BIKE poems, rhymes, short stories all with a bicycle theme. For children aged 4 to 10.
For everybody: a themed bookshelf, a detailed bibliography and library services

“LUCIANO, L’EROICO” EXHIBITION by Miguel Soro
from THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER to SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER
Ex Cantine Ricasoli, Miguel Soro’s tribute to Luciano Berruti, the world’s Number 1 heroic cyclist.

“THE HISTORY OF CYCLING” EXHIBITION by CAMPAGNOLO
from FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER to SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER
Ex Cantine Ricasoli
Over 80 years of history of a brand that is “Made in Italy” and the symbol of cycling.

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
Auditorium ex Cantine Ricasoli
– 21:30 – “LA ROTONDA STORIA DELLA BICICLETTA” (“the round story of the bike”), a show written and interpreted by the Compagnia Teatri d’Imbarco with Beatrice Visibelli, Marco Natalucci, Chiara Riondino. Director Nicola Zavagli. Loosely adapted from “It’s all about the bike” by Robert Penn.

FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER
Ex Cantine Ricasoli
– 09:00/19:00 – VINTAGE BIKES & ACCESSORIES EXHIBIT AND MARKET
– 09:00/13:00 – 15:00/19:00 – REGISTRATION OF ACCREDITED GUESTS, CHECKING AND COLLECTION OF EVENT NUMBERS

Ex tourist information office, Gaiole in Chianti
– 15:00/19:00 – registration for the Register of Heroic Bikes.

Garden in front of the Philharmonic hall
– From 18:00 – Live Music.

Eroica Caffè Brolio
– 19:30/23:00 – APERITIF/SUPPER with DJ, reserved for Ciclo Club Eroica members.
– 20.00 – Presentation of the book “I sarti italiani della bicicletta” (“the Italian bicycle tailors”) by Paolo Amadori and Paolo Tullini for Ediciclo.

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER
Ex Cantine Ricasoli
– 09:00/19:00 – VINTAGE BIKES & ACCESSORIES EXHIBIT AND MARKET
– 09:00/19:00 – REGISTRATION OF ACCREDITED GUESTS, CHECKING AND COLLECTION OF EVENT NUMBERS
– 15:00 – RESERVATION AND PURCHASE OF TICKETS FOR THE “HERO’S DINNER” (limited tickets)

AT THE ROOSTER
– 9:30/15:00 – CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE: the 21st Edition of L’Eroica celebrates the “beauty of the bicycle and the cyclist” through the competition that awards the best and most authentic vintage bikes and their respective cyclists. The competition is organised by the Register of Heroic Bikes; the international jury is made up of experts and collectors.
Registration fee: €10.00. Prizes will be awarded during the Hero’s Dinner

Ex tourist information office, Gaiole in Chianti
– 10:00/18:00 – registration for the Register of Heroic Bikes.

Auditorium Ex Cantine Ricasoli
– 11:30 – L’EROICA’s FAREWELL to LUCIANO BERRUTI: video, images and testimonies of Luciano’s 19 years of Eroica, edited by Giancarlo Brocci

– 12:00 – Press Conference Eroica presents its partners to the world, Eroica Santini new collectionAuditorium Ex Cantine Ricasoli

– 13:00 – Eroica presents:
Eroica Caffè conquers Barcelona;
Calendar of Eroica events 2018.

 

14:30/16:30 – MEETING WITH THE AUTHORS:
8 magnificent books telling amazing cycling stories, presented by Sergio Meda.

  • Galletti, un portento – Sport&Passione Editor
  • Digital Marketing per lo sport – Hoepli
  • I 50 sentieri più belli della Toscana – Iter
  • La leggenda delle strade bianche – Ediciclo
  • Otto racconti in bicicletta – Bolis Edizioni
  • La speranza correva a sinistra – Ediciclo
  • Biciclette Vintage – Mondadori
  • The White Roads – Hoepli

 

Piazza Ricasoli
– 15:30 – MINI-EROICA: non-competitive event for children, followed by a party with snacks

Auditorium Ex Cantine Ricasoli
– 16:30/17:30 – EROICA VINTAGE WHISKERS COMPETITION: we want to celebrate the style of these ‘heroic’ beards and moustaches.
Before the competition, 2 PRORASO points will be set up to prepare beards and moustaches.
Info and bookings: Alessio Berti alessioberti67@gmail.com – +39 338/5201973

Church of San Sigismondo – Gaiole in Chianti
– 17:00 – Holy Mass to commemorate Luciano Berruti, honorary citizen of Gaiole in Chianti.
Followed by blessing of bikes for L’Eroica.

Auditorium Ex Cantine Ricasoli
– 17:30 – L’EROICA FOR CHARITY: presentation of the activities of the Fondazione Eroica (Eroica Foundation)

– 18:30 – DAVIDE CASSANI and MARCO SELLERI: L’EROICA AND ITS YOUTH PROJECT

Eroica tent
– 20:00 – HERO’S DINNER: in the great white marquee, apart from the usual dinner, we will hold the EROICA AUCTION for CHARITY, with mythical auctioneer, Dario Cecchini (the Fiorentina steak poet). Mementos and vintage wines will be auctioned and proceeds will go to the Eroica “youth project”. During dinner, prizes will be awarded to the winners of the “Concours d’Elegance”.
Background music by Nicola Costanti.

SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER – L’Eroica
Ex Cantine Ricasoli
– 04:45 – registration check ….ready…set…go!
– 05:00/07:00 – start of 209 and 135 km routes
– 08:00/09:00 – start of 115 km Chianti Classico, 75 and 46 km routes

– 06:45 – TOUR OF FOOD STOPS: depart by private bus with a guide to discover the routes of L’Eroica (205 and 135 km), along the Strade Bianche (white roads). Enjoy amazing panoramas and the most typical food stops.
Info and bookings: info@animatoscana.it

– 08.45 – TOUR OF FOOD STOPS: depart by private bus with a guide to discover the short routes of L’Eroica (75 and 46 km), along the Strade Bianche (white roads). Enjoy amazing panoramas and the most typical food stops.  Info and bookings: info@animatoscana.it

At the rooster
– 11:00/22:00 – ARRIVAL OF THE HEROES: welcome and gifts for “Finisseurs” of all 5 routes
– 17:00 – EXHIBITION by the BAND of the Philharmonic Society of Gaiole in Chianti, followed by live music

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