On October 20, 2012, following the success of Eroica, for the first time in Anghiari the vintage cycling event L'intrepida was organised. Special guest and participant was former world champion Maurizio Fondriest. Since then, the number of participants has steadily increased.
The name L'intrepida was chosen for this bike ride of 42.5 km, 80.2 km or 120 km, which means as much as the intrepid. The course is mainly on unpaved white roads, much more than the Eroica and to do this with a vintage racing bike from before 1987 is a real challenge.
In addition, there are some steep climbs that are comparable to those in the Tour of Flanders but on unpaved roads.
Moreover, there are 2 climbs that take you to just under 700 meters from where you get a beautiful view of the valiberina (valley of the Tiber). Especially the 2nd climb that is only part of the long course is a real calf biter with parts of unpaved road up to 20%. So give up!
Starting point historic center of Anghiari
The Intrepida starts at 09:00 in the square Piazza Baldaccio Bruni of Anghiari and leads for the most part over the plains where on June 29, 1440 the Battle of Anghiari was fought in which the Florentine armies defeated the Milanese.
The castle Castello di Galbino
The tour shows the most beautiful of the area around Anghiari: the bridge Ponte alla Piera, the 16th century castle Castello di Galbino, the picturesque towns Monterchi and of course Citerna and much more. The Intrepida ends where it began, but before that you have to go through the covered medieval alley vicolo del destino, a unique experience.
crossing medieval alley in Anghiari
A bottle of red wine awaits you at the arrival as a reminder and to regain strength you get a plate of delicious pasta, sausage, white beans and a dessert. The red wine is also back and this time there is no measure on it, after all, the ride is over.
Slices of bread with olive oil, with tomatoes and sugar
The ristoro (supply) is set up at various beautifully selected locations where you can regain your strength. To keep it in the spirit of the times, you cannot get isotonic drinks or energy bars here, but you can get slices of bread with olive oil, with tomatoes, with sugar and a drop of red wine, sandwiches with ham and salami, polenta with bacon, grapes, nuts, ...
To quench your thirst you can choose from water, white and red wine and even vin santo. With all those climbs, the expression drinking in moderation is more than appropriate here.
At the supplies at the Castello di Galbino, the volunteers have even taken their belle epoque clothes out of the closet for the occasion and the blacksmith is also waiting with his hammer and anvil, who has a breakdown in equipment.
Participating in the Intrepida is primarily for the atmosphere and for the beautiful places you pass. Having a few kilometers in your legs is recommended and even a must for the long trip.
Practical information
- Where: Piazza Baldaccio Bruni – Anghiari
- When: 3th Sunday of October
- Website: lintrepida.it (enkel Italiaans)
