Third edition of Eroica California brings bike ride, Tuscan cuisine and weekend of fun
The third edition of Eroica California is set to take place April 8-9 in Paso Robles. The vintage bike cycling event draws its roots from the Italian L’Eroica, or “The Heroic”, event held annually since 1997 in the Tuscan town of Gaiole in Chianti, which is also the “sister city” of Paso Robles. Eroica California has seen continued growth since its inaugural year, both in participants and an ever-expanding festival.
A full weekend of events surrounds Eroica California, including the prestigious Concours d’Elegance on Saturday, where participants can enter their own vintage road bikes for a chance to win “Best of Show”, or just enjoy the dozens of one-of-a-kind works of art that range from the early 1900s up to the more “modern” 1980s era.
In the Paso Robles Downtown Park, the festival features booths from local businesses and artisans, as well as a cycling fair with vendors of bikes and parts from all eras.Saturday will also include a screening of the film “Marinoni: The Fire In The Frame” that chronicles the life of champion cyclist and frame builder Giuseppe Marinoni. The day concludes with a Tuscan style dinner, complete with local beers and wine, followed by a benefit auction where all proceeds go to Hospice of SLO County.
Sunday is the weekend’s high point, where many of the riders will come dressed for the era, complete with wool jerseys, lace-up shoes, and hairnet helmets before departing on one of four routes, ranging from 40 miles all the way up to the “Heroic” 127-miler. Regardless of the route chosen, each one features some of the best roads in the region, passing through vineyards on rolling country terrain dotted with California Oaks.
All routes have a taste of tradition, with scenic sections of gravel roads and rest stops located at farms and vineyards offering gourmet food for a truly unique experience. The two longer options will take riders over the coastal mountain range and down to the picturesque towns of Cambria and Cayucos along the Pacific Ocean before ultimately finishing back in Paso Robles where an Italian lunch will be served.
Eroica California has partnered with Allegretto Vineyard Resort to continue the European-themed weekend. Participants will receive a discounted room rate and can enjoy hotel amenities such as the Willow Creek Wine Tasting Room and the Northern-Italian cuisine from Cello Ristorante & Bar.
Registration is currently open at www.eroicacalifornia.com. A portion of every entry will go to benefiting Hospice of San Luis Obispo County.
Impacted roads
The following roads will be impacted on Sunday, April 9:
- 13th St, River Rd, Union Rd, Creston Rd intersection 6:30 am – 8:45 am
- Union Rd 6:30 am – 10 am
- El Pomar Rd 8 am – 12 pm
- Niblick Rd, Spring St Intersection 9 am – 7 pm
- Kiler Canyon Rd 7 am – Noon
- Peachy Canyon Rd. 8 am – 4 pm
- Adelaida Rd 8 am – 3 pm
- Nacimiento Lake Rd (between Adelaida Rd and Vine St) 12 pm – 4 pm
- Santa Rosa Creek Rd 9 am – 2 pm
- Santa Rita Creek Rd 10 am – 6 pm
