California is open to all ROAD RACING, CYCLOCROSS AND GRAVEL BICYCLES with carbon, steel, titanium and aluminum frames.
The bikes must have drop handlebars. We’re back and better with two new ride options of 97 and 72 miles and participants will experience the most challenging gravel roads of Eroica California. This is one of the most spectacular rides on the Central Coast of California. Both teams and individuals are encouraged to participate and experience the Eroica spirit, the beauty of fatigue and the thrill of the conquest on modern bikes.
Both Nova Eroica ride options traverse quality roads with minimal traffic, vineyard roads, stunning ocean views, green rolling hills that will have been perfectly cured and quenched by nature, and first class rest stops. With 15 miles added to last year’s route, the 97-mile mixed terrain Nova includes nearly 30 miles of gravel, 7500 feet of climbing and awe-inspiring views. The Nova Short, by no means child’s play, preserves the larger route’s two longest stretches of gravel with nearly twenty miles of fast paced dirt and 6000 feet of climbing.
IMPORTANT:
Riders will warm-up after an 8 am start as they head 14 miles south to the seaside village of Cayucos. After a brief but required stop where coffee and breakfast snacks await, the course opens with an official 9:30 am start as riders head toward the 10 km ascent up the strade bianche of Santa Rita Creek road.
A taste of Tuscany awaits you - right here on the coast of California.