A Radda Reccy
Even after just a short history, the Strade Bianchi- Eroica Pro race (ex Monte Paschi Eroica) is now considered one of the early season classics or monuments raced by many of the same names as Amstel Gold, LBL and of course Paris-Roubaix. Le sterrate or ‘strade bianchi’ are Italys version of the cobbled classics. A closely battled race on some severe gradients, not to mention the varying degrees of coarse surfaces from Gaiole-in-Chianti, 176Km to the iconic Piazza del Campo finish, Siena. You don’t have to imagine the chaos caused by a few April showers and the need for 27mm tyres! Luckily, the clever Italians decided to schedule the public L’Eroica on the other shoulder month of summer in early October for better conditions although heavy period woollen jerseys may get a bit hot.
The pro-race route changes every year, but L’Eroica (209km, 3,521m) has set permanent roads around Chianti, Val d’Orcia, Crete Senesi and south of Siena clearly sign-posted for both paved and un-paved sections, although gps navigation is slightly easier if you have a device. For any level of cycle-tourist coming to Tuscany, missing the opportunity to ride some of these iconic roads would be akin to blasphemy in Italy. Radda, just an hour by car, half way between Siena and Florence is an excellent base in Chianti to explore the network of these quiet roads even in high season there is little traffic. The area isn’t inundated with cyclists, possibly because the terrain is pretty hilly with long ascents of moderate gradients, making it more appealing to cyclists who want a different challenge than the Dolomites and Italian Alps with flatter bits, and appreciate the magnificence of the region and wine!
