# What is L'Eroica? Canonical: https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-leroica/ Section: Zestasy Wiki > Movement · Updated: 2026-10-13 · Publisher: Zestasy *Zestasy Wiki: our reference answers. Checked for facts and sources; less curated than the magazine.* L'Eroica is a non-competitive cycling event held every year since 1997 from Gaiole in Chianti, in the province of Siena, where riders on vintage steel bikes and wool jerseys ride routes that include long stretches of Tuscany's white gravel roads, the strade bianche. Bikes must generally date from 1987 or earlier, with down-tube gear levers and toe-clip pedals, and there is no winner: the point is the ride, the landscape and the company. Imagine a dusty white road winding between cypress trees and vineyards, a line of riders in moth-eaten wool jerseys rattling along on steel bikes older than some of their children, and a feed station where someone is handing out bread and Chianti. That is L'Eroica, one of the most charming events in cycling. ## A short history According to the [event's own site](https://www.eroica.cc/en/eroica), the first L'Eroica was held in 1997 in Gaiole in Chianti, in Tuscany. Italian newspaper [La Nazione](https://www.lanazione.it/siena/cronaca/leroica-come-e-iniziato-tutto-aaa8cc1d) credits Giancarlo Brocci with creating it, and reports that 92 riders took part in the first edition and that it has since grown to more than nine thousand entrants. Cycling UK describes the whole event as a recreation of cycling's "heroic age": unpaved roads, steel bikes, simple gears and wool. The spirit is about celebrating that era and the white roads of Tuscany. It even inspired a professional race: the [Strade Bianche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Eroica), described on Wikipedia as the pro race that grew out of L'Eroica. ## The strade bianche The real star is the road. Tuscany's strade bianche are unpaved country lanes of compacted white gravel and dust, climbing and dipping through the hills around Siena. Cycling UK's account of riding L'Eroica, [Old-school rules](https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle/old-school-rules), describes long gravel sections on every route, steep climbs on loose surfaces and a lot of dust. They are beautiful and quite hard work, especially on a bike built before modern gearing. ## The rules for bikes and riders This is what makes L'Eroica unlike any other ride. [Wikipedia's summary of the event](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Eroica) lists the typical requirements for the classic ride: bikes up to and including 1987, with steel frames, gear levers on the down tube, external brake cables, pedals with toe straps, and wheels with traditional low-profile rims. Cycling UK's piece lists the same essentials. Clothing is part of the theme too. Wool jerseys with old team names are the classic choice, and the more characterful the better. Rules can be updated from year to year, so check the current regulations on the official site before you dust off a bike. If you want to ride the white roads on a modern bike, the organisers also run a gravel event, Nova Eroica, mentioned on the same official site. ## Routes and timing Wikipedia notes that L'Eroica is held on the first Sunday of October, with the long routes run over the weekend, with a choice of routes from short and gentle to very long and serious. La Nazione lists recent distances from 46 km up to 209 km, plus a short route for children, though the menu changes between editions. Check the current year's routes before you plan. ## The atmosphere This is not a race. There are no winners, and many riders stop at the top of climbs to chat, take photos or help someone fix a puncture. Feed stations serve local food and wine rather than energy gels; Cycling UK's writer was handed bread soaked in Chianti in Radda. In Gaiole, the weekend fills with vintage bike stalls, period clothing and a festival mood. It is, in short, one of the most Italian things you can do on two wheels. ## Can you do it? You need a suitable vintage bike in good condition, a fair amount of fitness for the longer routes, and an entry, so check registration dates early. Many riders bring their own restored bikes; others borrow or hire. Old components are less forgiving on gravel, so get the bike checked carefully beforehand, and carry spares. If L'Eroica is not your style but the idea of a big organised ride is, a [gran fondo](https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-a-gran-fondo/) is the modern cousin. ## FAQ ### Is L'Eroica a race? No. It is a non-competitive cycle tour. Riders who complete a route receive recognition for finishing, not a ranking. ### Can I ride the L'Eroica routes at other times of year? The white roads around Gaiole are there all year, and riding some of them on a cycling holiday is a lovely way to get a taste. Respect local traffic, and take care on gravel after rain. ### Are there L'Eroica events outside Italy? Yes. La Nazione notes editions in several other countries, including Germany, Switzerland and Japan. ### Do I have to wear vintage clothing? It is very much part of the spirit, and most riders do. Check the current rules on the official site for what is expected. ## Sources - [Eroica: L'Eroica (official site)](https://www.eroica.cc/en/eroica) - [La Nazione: L'Eroica, come è iniziato tutto](https://www.lanazione.it/siena/cronaca/leroica-come-e-iniziato-tutto-aaa8cc1d) - [Wikipedia: L'Eroica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Eroica) - [Cycling UK: Old-school rules](https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle/old-school-rules) ## Related - [What is a gran fondo?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-a-gran-fondo/) - [What is the difference between a road bike, a gravel bike and a hybrid?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/road-gravel-hybrid/) - [How do you plan a multi-day cycling holiday?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/cycling-holiday/) - [What is the Giro d'Italia?](https://zestasy.com/wiki/what-is-the-giro/) - [What are the best books about cycling?](https://zestasy.com/books/best-books-about-cycling/) - [All Movement answers in the Wiki](https://zestasy.com/wiki/#movement)