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Nova Eroica and Classic Eroica return to Cambria, CA

  • Ron 

For the second year in a row, Cambria, California will host Nova Eroica and Classic Eroica California, two separate and distinct rides, on April 4th and 5th. The Saturday, April 04 Nova Eroica ride is a modern day road cycling event that includes gravel sections and is designed to challenge the staunchest of cyclists. The Sunday, April 05, Classic Eroica is ridden on vintage pre-1987 bicycles.

Now a global series consisting of eight events, Classic Eroica originated in Gaiole Italy in 1997, called L’Eroica. Today, that annual October event still attracts 8000 riders from around the world lured by the strade bianche – white roads of Italy. Eroica California – the vintage ride that, like original Gaoile event, sought to reawaken a taste for adventure, is the only Classic Eroica in North America.

From vintage to modern. It might be said that L’Eroica paved the way for what is now modern day ‘gravel riding’. Ten years after the launch of the Gaiole event, ‘the southern most Northern Classic’, the Strade Bianche race was added to the pro peloton schedule on the very roads traversed by L’Eroica participants. The race put the concept of gravel riding and racing on modern day bicycles in the international spotlight and in 2017 Nova Eroica was introduced.

On Saturday April 04, Cambria and Cayucos, California will share hosting duties for the 2020 Nova Eroica event. Cyclists, riding either road or drop bar gravel bikes, have the option of two courses: 72 or 97 miles. The 72-mile loop features 6000 feet of climbing, 56 miles of pavement and 16 miles of gravel. The 97-mile option features 7535 feet of elevation with 58 miles of pavement and approximately 30 miles of gravel.

Early bird pricing ends this Friday January 31 at midnight. Prices for both Nova Eroica and Classic Eroica are $130 through January 31! On Feb 01, pricing jumps to $150 through March 31. Register here for Nova Eroica California and here for Classic Eroica California.

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