1 / 5   Enthusiasts of vintage bicycles on Sunday descended on Gaile in Chinati in Tuscany, some 40 kilometers from Florence, for L'Eroica, a commemorative historical racing event that takes cyclists off the beaten road. /VCG Photo

2 / 5   Rules for the event are strict. Participants must ride vintage or vintage-inspired road bikes made in 1987 or earlier, or ones that are newly built to match the retro style. /VCG Photo

3 / 5   The event, established in 1997, started as a celebration of the heritage of cycling. /VCG Photo

4 / 5   The event is now held in eight countries worldwide. /VCG Photo

5 / 5   L'Eroica aims to "reconnect others to the heritage that inspired much Italian history, literature, culture, and music." /VCG Photo