The adventure of L'Eroica all year long with the permanent route.
PERMANENT ROUTE OF L'EROICA
L'Eroica could only have been born in Tuscany. It’s a matter of soul, of land, white roads, landscapes, of genuine food and wine, of culture and passions, of history and of Bartali. Now world-renowned for the special people it involves and for the values it upholds, Eroica encapsulates the very essence of Tuscany, a place that offers a lifestyle that looks to the future, without neglecting its identity and its environment, while also seeking to rediscover the authentic roots of the great sport that is cycling.
A sport that can be enjoyed all year round, thanks to the L’Eroica Permanent Route that passes through landscapes that are the envy of the whole world, in a succession of amazing experiences for any cyclist. Many are preparing to ride the route, while waiting for the Eroica events, which we will be able to enjoy in complete safety sooner or later.
So, the great Eroica adventure is not limited to the first Sunday in October. The route is well signposted and winds its way for 209 km through the heart of the Siena region, from the Chianti area to the Crete Senesi and Val d’Orcia, completing a long voyage through the legendary Tuscan countryside.
The L’Eroica Permanent Route can be completed in one to five days, depending on each rider’s own capabilities, fitness levels and on the time he/she wishes to spend enjoying the postcard scenery and landscapes that flit by or appear on the horizon. Along the route, cyclists can count on finding various types of accommodation where they will receive the warm and cordial welcome they deserve.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE
AREA 1 - CHIANTI (GOING)
The Eroica route starts in Gaiole in Chianti, winding among historical vineyards that lead you to Castello di Brolio with its cypress access road. The breath-taking panorama below the walls, over the vineyards, represent one of the most wonderful parts of the permanent route.
After few kilometers, near San Giovanni a Cerreto, Siena will be outlined on the horizon. The visit of this wonderful medieval city with the Dome, Piazza del Campo and the perfect medieval city center will make special your trip.
Technical characteristics: easy segment of 20 km, the only climb is to join the Castle of Brolio. After 10 km you will have the first experience on the white roads, we suggest to be careful and boost your confidence on this kind of road.
AREA 2 - SIENA AND VAL D’ARBIA
The ordinates cultivation of vines is fading into a more various landscape, painted with terra di Siena color. Just leaving the city of Siena you’ll ride through a very typical segment of the route, located between “Colle Malamerenda” and Radi, deep in the gentle hills of Siena, studded of farm houses, medieval villages, merging your ride with the Via Francigena itinerary. The village of Murlo will be the landscape of the easiest segment of the whole permanent route.
Technical characteristics: long segment of 47 km, the area around Siena is an easy mix of white and paved roads. After Siena you will ride for 2 km on the busy Cassia road before reaching a long segment of white roads, approximately 12 km, composed of short steep climbs after the small town of Radi. We suggest to refill your bottle in Vescovado before ride your bike to Montalcino.
AREA 3 - MONTALCINO
Climbing Castiglion del Bosco, one of the most challenging segments of the L’Eroica permanent route, you will reach Montalcino, which sits over the beautiful and panoramic lands of the world famous Brunello di Montalcino wine. Montalcino, also famous for olive oil and honey, is a nice village that merits a visit, even just to admire the incredible views over the Val d’Orcia area.
Technical characteristics: the segment from Bibbiano to Montalcino is one of the most difficult on the path. Passing the golf course of Castiglion del Bosco, you will ride a long and irregular climb, with slopes over 15%, surrounded by woods and vineyards.
AREA 4 - VAL D’ORCIA
The descent from Montalcino will be a delicious dive in the vineyards, bringing you through smooth, pristine hills until Lucignano d’Asso, where you can take a rest with a typical snack or just to refill your bottle. Pedaling in the landscape of the Val d’Orcia is a privilege for the eyes and mind that restores the fatigue caused by the up and downs roads.
Technical characteristics: the Val d’Orcia area comprend 26 km of white roads, sometimes also challenging, on a total of 30 km expected in this segment. Be careful around Lucignano d’Asso where you can meet livestock guardian dogs stay with the group of animals they protect as a full-time member of the flock.
-sito.jpg)
AREA 5 - CRETE SENESI
From the vineyards and rolling hills to the beauty of the lunar landscape is a short step. Once you have left the villages along the Cassia, you will be immersed in the Crete Senesi with its characteristic gullies. Oak trees and cypresses indicate isolated farms where they produce cheese, and tables are enriched by the “diamond of the Crete Senesi”: the white truffle. This part of the route includes the difficult unpaved road of Monte Sante Marie, a very famous steep road that will take you back to the Chianti area.
Technical characteristics: the road after Pieve a Salti will make it easier till you reach Caggiolo, where a difficult unpaved sector will begin, due to the bad road surface and slope. Once you have arrived at Asciano cemetery, we suggest a quick stop in Asciano town center to refill bottles before riding the long and very challenging road of Monte Sante Marie.
AREA 1 - CHIANTI (RETURN)
From the vineyards and rolling hills to the suggestion of the lunar landscape is a short step. Left the villages along the Cassia immerse yourself in the Crete Senesi with the characteristic gullies and. The oak and cypress indicate isolated farms where they produce cheese and tables are enriched by the diamond of Crete Senesi: the white truffle. This part of the route includes the hard white road of Monte Sante Marie, very famous steep road that will take you back in the Chianti area.
Technical characteristics: Castelnuovo Berardenga and the next part of road will allow you to relax after the effort on Monte Sante Marie. After Pianella it’s the moment to climb the long gravel road to Radda in Chianti, located at 500 meters on the sea level, before you descend to Gaiole in Chianti.