"Certosina" vintage bike race from Florence to Chianti Classico, via “strade bianche” and vineyards

Articolo disponibile anche in: Italian

The Certosina is the first true historic bike race in the Florentine Chianti: “It used to start from the Certosa in Galluzzo, just outside Florence, and wind through the territory of the Chianti Classico Gallo Nero“, says Luigi Cappellini, owner of the Castello di Verrazzano, in Greve in Chianti, and member of the group Amatori Verrazzano, a team of amateur cyclists who are truly passionate about vintage cycling.

The vintage bike race on the Tuscan “strade bianche” (dirt roads) is organized by G.S. Misericordia of Galluzzo. It will be held on Sunday 20^th May and on Saturday 19^th there’ll be an exhibition-exchange of vintage bikes.

The beautiful Chianti Classico “strade bianche” are the highlights of the Certosina race. Vintage bikes and Chianti views, scenic country roads, vineyards, olive trees, silence. Just imagine the thrill of cycling in this fascinating landscape and being able to really experience nature.

“While riding a vintage bike you struggle, you stop to take a selfie, have a chat and rest a bit, you feel at peace with yourself. You rediscover and taste nature, its colours and smells, and the pleasure of spending time together”, says Cappellini.

All these emotions can be experienced during a race that “is the perfect example of the good life. A race with a fantastic route through the Chianti area”.

The route winds past country churches, castles, ancient villages, vineyards; all the typical features of the Chianti landscape. The Certosina meeting point is in Galluzzo, and the start point is in the square in front of Galluzzo’s Certosa monastery.

It is from here that the three routes will start: “short” (55 kms of which 3 are dirt roads, 200 meters difference in altitude), “medium” (68 kms of which 9 are dirt roads, 1.050 meters difference in altitude) and “long” (70 kms of which 9 are dirt roads, 1.300 meters difference in altitude) – carrying on along the Falciani road to reach the Chianti.

Three slightly different routes that will make you experience a beautiful and unique landscape. You will pass through enchanting places like Montefiridolfi, the Tignanello farm and Badia a Passignano and then cross the Castle of Montefioralle to reach the Verrazzano Castle. Here, hill climbs can be completed with optional timekeeping.

There’ll be a vintage refreshment in Verrazzano before continuing on to the finish line at Galluzzo, with the option of going through Impruneta for the long route.

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