GF - L'Eroica (Full 174 Km)

L'Eroica is a cycling challange born in 1997 and has more then 5000 cyclists registered. It was born from the love of that cycling which formed a good part of the history and literature of Italy. The idea was to seek out the authentic roots of this fantastic sport, with its great, popular heart, and rediscover the joy in fatigue and the thrill of the challenge.

The route Eroica begins in Gaiole in Chianti winding through historic vineyards to get to the walls of Siena. From here, riding on dirt roads lined by cypresses, you enter the magical territory of Crete with its wide open spaces and rolling horizons.
Ride along the ridge that separates the ocean from the land of Crete from the forests of green Val di Merse.
Murlo and traces of Etruscan civilization are an important and enjoyable journey. Beyond the Ombrone you cross the railway line to Treno Natura at La Befa, in the "Far West" of Terre di Siena, climbs on the dirt road of Castiglione del Bosco, a most challenging route, that reaches the spectacular hill of Montalcino near the Passo del Lume Spento, defined by Alfonso Gatto "sill of the Apocalypse".
Among the noble vineyards of Brunello you go down the beautiful road to Buonconvento. After a short stretch on the trail of the Via Francigena you go back into the magic of Crete along two roads that travelers in search of the essence of the Sienese landscape should not miss: the way of Montacuto and the extraordinary way to Monte Sante Marie. Between the two small but challenging "viaggi bianchi" you return to daily life in the village of Asciano. At Castelnuovo Berardenga we travel back to Chianti. Wheat fields, and flour mills give way again to vineyards, wineries and wine. The final part of the '"Eroica" route passes between churches and farms along the road Vagliagli. The route is characterized by continuous climbing and descending on paved and dirt roads. The total elevation gain of the route is 3,000 meters.
This ride is over 170 challenging kilometers, that run on roads of major historical content and stunning landscape. The climbs are not ever too long but they do require some effort.