Nova Eroica Buonconvento

Nova Eroica takes the spirit of L'Eroica, the event that made the white roads south of Siena famous, and opens it to modern gravel, cyclocross and road bikes. Its motto is Race, Ride, Relax: the longer routes mix timed special sections with stretches ridden at an easy pace, so you can chase a result on the climbs and still chat your way between them.

The routes leave the medieval village of Buonconvento and roll through the clay hills of the Crete Senesi, the Val d'Arbia and towards the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO landscape of cypresses and farmhouses, partly on the permanent Eroica courses. The toughest options face the steep gravel of Monte Sante Marie, and refreshment stops at places like Monteroni d'Arbia and Podere La Campana keep the Tuscan food culture close at hand. For riders who want more, an Epic Route sets off before dawn the day before.

Running since 2016 and now held in spring, the weekend is as much a festival in the village as a ride, with music and gatherings around the bike village. It is organised by L'Eroica, the team behind the original vintage ride in Gaiole in Chianti, whose whole project is built around protecting and celebrating the strade bianche.