Eroica and the return to heroic cycling
For those who have never heard of the retro cycling race Eroica, here is a word of explanation:
The Eroica is a vintage cycling event in Gaiole in Chianti in Tuscany in Italy which is usually organized on a Sunday at the beginning of October. For this event, cycling enthusiasts come from all over the world to relive that atmosphere of heroic cycling on the dirt roads and murderous slopes.
myself (pictured right) and my best friend during the 2016 participation
There are strict rules: only steel racing bicycles with gears on the tube are allowed, no clipless pedals and the brake cables may not be incorporated. The clothing must also be adapted, so preferably woolen sweaters and trousers. The only thing allowed for safety reasons is a modern helmet.
More information about the Eroica cycling race can be found here
Permanent Eroica café
During the retro Eroica round there is always a pop-up café where you can enjoy a glass of wine, pint of beer, soft drink together with a sandwich or a pasta dish.
Since a few years there is now also a permanent Eroica café where you can soak up the atmosphere of the Eroica almost all year round. The café that has been given the name Agribar Eroica caffè is not located in Gaiole in Chianti, the starting point of the Eroica, but at the foot of the castle of Brolio.
This has to do with the fact that the wine producer is one of the main sponsors of Eroica and has a share in the café. It's right across from the enotheek store and so it's fairly obvious.
The café has been there since 2018, making it the first in the series of Eroica cafés. Meanwhile, there is an Eroica café in Barcelona in Spain and in Padua in Italy. More will surely follow in the future.
The café has a simple interior reminiscent of the 1960s and is not as big as those in Barcelona or Padua. From spring to autumn there is a terrace where you can enjoy the sun.
The interior breathes the atmosphere of the Eroica. On the walls hang old retro cycling jerseys, a Bianchi racing bicycle, posters of the previous editions of the Eroica and many newspaper clippings of the old Italian cycling gods such as Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali, the 2 greatest Italian cycling champions.
The bar with the bottles of wine that were given to the participants in recent years
In one corner hangs a TV with images of the Eroica. The menu is not that extensive, mainly sandwiches and cakes. You rather come here for a coffee, a cappuccino, a glass of wine or a refreshing pint.
If you want to go to the Agribar Eroica caffè by bike, you have to climb 5 km, from Gaiole in Chianti it is about 10 km.
Practical information Agribar Brolio
Adress: Località Madonna al Brolio – Gaiole in Chianti
Opening hours:
- Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 19:00
- Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 - 19:00
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