Eroica Hispania

The city of Haro (La Rioja) is very excited to host this Eroica event, which seeks across Europe to rediscover the roots of cycling through classic cycling.

Conditions of participation

This event organized by CLUB EROICA HISPANIA is non-competitive, and its course, inspired by lifelong cycling, is based on long stretches of gravel roads. Those registered who wish to participate must do so with historic bikes or vintage bikes. Thus, all road bikes manufactured before 1987 will be able to participate in the race, both with and without derailleurs.

Also those made in the 19th and early 20th century, even with steel frames. Likewise, the organization accepts the use of bicycles with aluminum frames manufactured by Alan and Vito from the late 1970s.

In addition, the bicycle must meet the following component requirements:

1. Bikes must have original modifications such as Cambio Corsa, Cambio Paris Roubaix, Cambio Vittoria Margherita, etc.
2. The latest bikes that have the shifts and derailleurs, such as Simplex, Huret, Campagnolo, Zeus, Shimano, Suntour, etc. They should have shift levers on the down tube of the frame.
3. The pedals must have toe clips. Cinelli M71 pedals are authorized.
4. The brake cables must pass outside the handlebars.
5. Wheels must have at least 32 spokes and have a low profile rim (20mm deep or less, except for wooden rims). Edges must be steel, aluminum or wood, excluding carbon edges.
6. The use of tubular lids is permitted as well as the use of tube covers.
7. The saddles must be from the same era as the bikes, so they must be 1987 or earlier models. In the event that they are of modern production, they must be traditional saddles.
8. Changing cassettes with higher speeds is allowed, because due to the difficulty of the test more current developments can be used.

The above assumptions do not apply to road bikes of the first decade of the 1900s as long as they have their original components.

Both for the 74 kilometer route and for the Paseo Eroico, other types of bikes will be accepted as long as they are older than 1987. Vintage bikes are also allowed as long as they are assembled with components from the era. The use of mountain and cross-country bikes is not allowed.

Additionally, participants should be dressed in vintage cycling clothing, wear woolen jerseys and shorts, and may also use vintage-style sweaters and baggy pants. Synthetic jerseys are not allowed.

Participants are also advised to use all kinds of classic accessories: leather cycling shoes, traditional cycling caps, aluminum water bottles, etc.

Routes

Eroica Hispania offers up to 4 different routes: 184 km, 122 km, 74 km and the 25 km Paseo Eroico.

Although the participants must choose one of the 4 distances when registering, they can change their choice on the day of the race if they wish without any type of penalisation. Those under 18 will not be able to register for the long tour, and the minimum age to participate is 15 years old.

Long route

The long route covers practically all of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa over its 184 km. We are faced with a very busy route, with more than 3,000 meters of positive slope.

Your departure will take place between 6.30 am and 7.30 am from Plaza de la Paz in Haro towards Briñas. From there you will cross Labastida towards San Vicente de la Sonsierra. In this first enclave, participants will find supplies, not without first passing through the medieval bridge of San Vicente de Sonsierra, through which we will enter the cobbled streets that overlook the castle.

Once in this characteristic town, vintage cyclists will cycle along the banks of the Ebro, passing through towns such as Baños de Ebro, Navaridas or Laguardia, a key point on the long route where the second refreshment station is located. 

After the break you will need to head to Labraza, where you will find some of the more difficult sections of the stage. Once this demanding section is completed and after a new refreshment station, the participants will cross the Ebro again towards the Rioja Alta.

You will cross Logroño from where you will take the Camino de Santiago to Nájera, from where you will cross the Parque de la Grajera, the highest point and from where you can see Navarrete. The last third of the walk passes through towns in La Rioja such as Berceo, Villar de Torre, Manzanares de Rioja, Cirueña, etc.

The finish of the route ends where it started, in Haro, land of historic caves, where we will enjoy the well-deserved rest after such a demanding route.

Half route

The half route, although a little less demanding, is also a circuit that requires a high level of preparation. Proof of this is its 122 km with more than 1,600 meters of positive slope. The participants of this route will coincide with those of the long route to Laguardia, with whom they also share the departure time.

From Laguardia, the participants of the long course will go directly to the municipality of Nájera, where they will get their supplies (the third if we add the two that they share with the long course). From there, you will depart for the iconic San Millán de la Cogolla, a town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Participants will find new supplies there. Continuing on the road you will cross towns such as Berceo, Villar de Torre, Manzanares de Rioja or Cirueña. Once these idyllic places have been visited and arrived in Sajazarra, passing by its castle and medieval alleys, cyclists will head to Haro to finish the route.

Short route

The short course is a little more accessible than the other two, but it keeps having demanding sections in its 74 km course and nearly 1,000 meters of positive slope. Almost half of the route is marked out by the Basque and French Caminos de Santiago, and in this way touring bikes can also participate.

The departure is in Haro just like the other two routes, although the departure time varies: between 8:00 am and 9:30 am. From there, the Ebro River crosses towards Briñas, where participants will cycle to San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the crossing point for long and short routes. From there you leave the municipality and pass through towns like Baños de Ebro to Nájera. Nájera will be a point of rest and supplies to face the route towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada. This 22 km section is traversed by little-used agricultural tracks until reaching this well-known pilgrimage refuge.

Once we have made a last aid station, 20 km without great difficulties which finally lead to Haro, where we will reach the finish line not without first passing through the Barrio de las Bodegas.

Paseo Eroico

In order to offer an alternative to all audiences, it is possible to participate in Paseo Eroico, a 25 km course and 250 meters of positive slope in which participants will be able to enjoy the vintage atmosphere that surrounds this event.

Registration

The prices for the short, half and long course are the same, and vary from 58 euros to 78 euros depending on the registration period. Members of the Eroica Club Cycle pay 45 euros for registration, and participants of Paseo Eroica must pay a registration fee of 35 euros. The organization will have up to 60 bicycles that participants can rent at a price of 85 euros.

Non-federates must take out day insurance for 15 euros.

The registration fee includes a participant’s bag with:

• Jersey number and bike number.
• Participant bag.
• Road book to be stamped at official control points.
• Prize for completing the test.
• Aid stations at different points on all routes.
• Showers available in Haro pools (Fair Pools).
• Car parks activated for the test.

Where can I stay for the Eroica Hispania?

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Where to rent a bicycle?

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