Castel del Monte, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Barisciano, Rocca Calascio welcome with open arms those who have the courage to challenge these mountains. This is how it goes on the Gran Sasso where time passes slower but the clouds in the sky fly low and fast. And it will go like this on Saturday with Nova Eroica Gran Sasso who returns to this piece of paradise in Abruzzo that strikes at the heart, in a strong and courteous land, welcoming without too much fuss, among the power of a plateau that does not give discounts, that knows no half measures. Climbs, dirt roads, villages and transhumance routes where gravel bikes will leave their traces to tell a story that is young but destined to become important. You will cross the sheep tracks in the footsteps of the grazing flocks, from the traditional ones of the Baronia up to the Piana di Navelli to reach the Tratturo Magno. Tussio, San Pio delle Camere, Civitaretenga and Carapelle Calvisio will be added to the historic locations of the first two editions in four routes: the short one of 59 kilometers for the “Tour of the Rocca di Calascio” with a height difference of 1100 meters; the medium gravel one of 85 kilometers for the “Tour of the 5 Villages” with 1620 meters of altitude difference; the average one only on asphalt of 92 kilometers for the ”Tour of the Gran Sasso” with 1830 meters of altitude difference and the long gravel one of 136 kilometres ”Campo Imperatore and the Lands of the Barony” with 2490 meters of altitude difference. Nova Eroica Gran Sasso is the young offshoot of the Eroica, the race created over 25 years ago Giancarlo Brocci on the Sienese dirt roads, once only for vintage bikes and clothing and now also open to gravel bikes. But the essence remains the same. Because here and elsewhere it's not just about taking part in a race “on mostly dirt roads…”. The Eroica is a way of life that many have forgotten, simple, light, an escape from the cities among mountains that look to the infinite, immanent, silent, to be admired and respected. It's a slice of bread with oil, kebabs, a plate of hot beans on tables where you can now only find sushi, lots of useless sauces or fusion cuisine. It is a passionate people who speak the same language but above all who understand it, who find each other, who embrace each other, who lend a hand if needed, who trust. Heroic is a world without little gardens where you sow and reap together, which struggles, which doesn't care about watts, which stops at refreshment points. Which are not just a place to refresh. “The eight refreshments of Nova Eroica Gran Sasso are all offered by the communities crossed by the race – explains the organizer with the right satisfaction Marco Capoferri – and this is what makes me most proud because it is the feedback that the mayors have understood the purpose of this event which, through sport and conviviality, serves to raise awareness and promote the territories. The stops will all be interesting starting from the first, a coffee in the center of Calascio in front of the historic public fountain from 1911 but also those between the arches of Castelvecchio Calvisio, in the market square of Barisciano, those with a view of the Roman ruins of the city of Peltuinum , near an ancient convent in Civitaretenga as well as the 'fagiolata' in the Fonte Vetica canyon and that, not far away, of the kebabs. The competitive aspect is secondary, the spirit is to combine sport, nature, culture and tourism…”. And this is what counts in the present and in the future because with the help of Nova Eroica the objective is to create and restore permanent “white roads” on the routes crossed. “We are carrying forward the project that we have announced since the first edition – explains the re-elected president of the Abruzzo regional council Marcus Marsilio– The lead municipality, Castel del Monte, with the other municipal administrations, is now ready, we are in the final stages of the authorization processes and, at the end of this summer season, we hope for the opening of the construction site and a rapid conclusion of the works. The objective is to complete at least the first part, the first 20-25 km out of a total of 50, in order to deliver dirt roads with incomparable scenery and, in prospect, usable by cyclists and cycle tourists. On Saturday June we will have the opportunity to show them to the whole world once again.” They will remain there to defend the territory as happened in the Gaiole area. The rest, as always happens with the Eroica, is the joy of being together, it's getting to know each other and recognizing each other, it's meeting up and pedaling with the desire to stop time. Which in these parts flows slowly, flows slowly unlike the clouds that chase each other on the plateau. “Jennotte makes snow…” is written on a tourist sign in an alley in Castel del Monte. This time let's hope not…