On Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October, popular retro cycling event L’Eroica welcomed riders to the white roads of Siena, Italy.
Set in central Italy’s Tuscany region, L’Eroica mixes up wool jerseys and vintage bicycles but also modern bikes and gear. This year’s event had a reported 8,316 cyclists across the event weekend.
- The field was comprised of 5,305 Italians and 3,011 international riders (36% of participants).
- Overall 889 women (11%) took part.
- 3,133 riders overall chose the long routes on Saturday, the 212km Long route and the 135km Crete Senesi route.
- On Sunday, 5,183 cyclists were distributed across the three shorter routes, of 46km, 85km and 106km.
“It would take a ‘smileometer’ to get the best idea of the success of L’Eroica 2023,” said L’Eroica founder Giancarlo Brocci.
“The joy that pervades Gaiole [community] can be measured at a glance; people’s need to get together, to experience a cathartic ritual can be perceived in every pedal stroke, every selfie, hug and encounter.
“The sight of so many different people meeting, the good and right feeling that you have among people who you completely trust, is remarkable. It seems incredible but the miracle repeats itself again and again and somehow manages to get a little better every time.”
