Eroica: A second event in Cuba

The second edition of Eroica Cuba, an exceptional event that combines the passion for cycling with the enchanting Cuban landscape, is scheduled to kick off on November 13 in the Viñales Valley, a World Heritage Site.

“This isn’t just a race, it’s a tribute to the spirit of cycling of yesteryear, with classic bicycles, retro style, and a community that follows every pedal stroke,” organizers note on their website.

Giancarlo Brocci, a pioneer of this initiative, posted on the Eroica Cuba 2025 website: “With Eroica Cuba, we have brought a message of peace and solidarity, even more so at a time when strongmen dictate an even stricter rule than when the world was divided into blocs. And we have learned the lesson that, at least periodically, it is very good to reflect on those who think the benchmark is always material well-being. In Cuba, a mild winter for cycling training, we try to untie some of the knots in the tangle of neuroses that the money-success spiral induces in many of us in the “rich” neighborhoods of the world. We will return to Eroica Cuba on November 14, also to try to understand that the concept of wealth can be rewritten from the hearts of respectable people.”

Participants will cross several towns in northern Pinar del Río and the mountainous region of Minas de Matahambre, until reaching Cayo Jutías, where the turquoise waters of the almost pristine beach will mark the end of the journey. This route covers approximately 115km with an elevation gain of 740 meters.

The race has been held annually in Italy since 1997 and is based on an out-and-back route, where the main requirement is the use of bicycles, clothing, and accessories manufactured before 1987 (except for helmets). Due to its popularity, events under the Eroica brand have been created in Spain, the Netherlands, Britain, Japan, South Africa and Uruguay.

Eroica is a pro-nature movement that advocates for the care of natural resources and the preservation of the environment. Therefore, this type of trail is not a competitive event, but is characterized by its natural beauty, resilience on challenging routes, and the camaraderie and solidarity fostered by participants. The first edition in Cuba took place in February of last year.