Vicenza: Via dei Berici, October 4, 5, 6 with departure and collateral events at the Parco della Pace
A great event dedicated to bike and outdoor enthusiasts is about to return. Last year, with hundreds of participants and companions from 24 different provinces, it put the spotlight on the city of Vicenza.
La Via dei Berici il 4, 5, 6 October will propose to the Peace Park an innovative format that will unite sport, passion for two wheels, solidarity, tourism and sustainable mobility. Arrived at second edition of the new, aspires to become a regular end-of-season event.
The initiative was presented on September 26th on the terrace of the Basilica Palladiana by the councilor for sport and major events Leone Zilio, Franco Scanagatta president of the San Bortolo Foundation, and for the Via dei Berici, Angelo Furlan, Andrea Cazzola, Federico Casalini.
"A sporting event that becomes three days of entertainment for the entire city. This is the spirit of the Via dei Berici that offers, alongside the classic mountain bike route, also a gravel race – declared the councilor for sport and major events Leone Zilio -. Over the years, the event has grown to three days of activities in the new location of Parco della Pace. A special Via dei Berici has been designed for children. For the little ones there will also be Bimbimbici by Fiab. And then refreshment points and two evening entertainment shows to live with enthusiasm and involvement this new opportunity that the organizers have been able to create, together with the Municipality, to be together and to experience one of the most evocative places in our city. Those who participate in the race, moreover, will have the opportunity to support the San Bortolo Foundation to which the entire registration fee will be donated».
«The restart of the Via dei Berici has a particular meaning for us because it was an event initially followed by Commander Gian Carlo Ferretto – he underlined Franco Scanagatta, president of Fondazione San Bortolo -. Furthermore, it is a beautiful combination not only of solidarity and sport but also an opportunity to present the beauties of our territory. Everything will go to the benefit of the hospitals and the excellences that best represent Vicenza's healthcare. Technology today allows for extraordinary results, keeping us updated with medical equipment and allowing doctors and healthcare workers to have adequate training, means guaranteeing everyone who turns to the departments of Ulss 8 the best possible assistance. This is the destination of those 5 euros of each registration, but also of the 5 per thousand and of each donation, which seem little but which in reality, by donating in large numbers, can achieve a lot".
The organizing team sees at the helm Angelo Furlan, Andrea Cazzola, Federico Casalini, Moreno Mora, Philip Pozzato.
«I have participated with pride and affection in La Via dei Berici since the first editions: it is an event that is felt by all of us, which has always given us a lot and has always given a lot to everyone – he commented Angelo Furlan, project manager of the event -. It is right that the Vicenza event returns. We will give everything we have and commit ourselves so that Vicenza becomes the center of the cycling world for 3 days and so that the local communities can benefit from it throughout the year. We started again last year and there is still a long way to go to get where we want to go but we are very satisfied with how things are evolving».
"I thought I had closed the chapter of "La Via dei Berici"; at that time, in 2018 it was an obligatory choice. Over the years I have refused many proposals to revive the event. When Angelo called me he managed to rekindle in me the enthusiasm and that pinch of madness that no longer allowed me to back out. In the New VDB I manage the Gravel event: last year the enthusiasm and participation together with the positive feedback given by the participants, repaid us for the many organizational efforts and this pushes us to always do better" - he declared Andrea Cazzola, co-organizer.
«Starting as enthusiasts, we have specialized over the years in organizing events in the area, creating a team of specialists in the sector – he said Federico Casalini, co-organizer of the event. We will take care of all the technical organizational aspects of the Via dei Berici MTB race. When Angelo proposed this project to us, we saw a combination of professionalism and unity of purpose that are a guarantee. Last year's numbers were more than satisfactory, this is a starting point to work increasingly determinedly for the future: the path is already traced, in every sense".
The Via dei Berici aims to focus the attention of the public and professionals on the theme of the importance of bike experience as a flywheel to promote hospitality, culture, food and wine, linked to green sports tourism on two wheels, given the enormous cultural and territorial potential of the city.
With La Via dei Berici the organizers wish to offer an opportunity to valorization of the territory and raising awareness on the importance of sustainable mobility. Following the legacy of previous editions, great attention will be given to solidarity as the proceeds will be donated to S. Bortolo Foundation 5 euro for each member at gravel and MTB events.
The rides will take place in the most significant places of the Berici Hills and Vicenza, with the aim of making all the people coming from outside the province and region fall in love with the city and the hills and to make Vicenza and the Berici hills known as places of excellence for culture, art, food and wine and cycle tourism: Saturday October 5 it will be the day dedicated to the Via dei Berici gravel, Sunday, October 6 to the Via dei Berici MTB.
“Bike Arena”
The beating heart of the event will be Peace Park where a real “Bike Arena” will be set up, a location that will host sporting events and all collateral events, the hospitality area, the entertainment area, the skill course area, the exhibition and entertainment stands, activities for all ages with particular attention to the world of youth sports and activities for children and families.
Food trucks and refreshment points with food and drinks will be available throughout the area all day.
The many proposals will involve all those who will reach the Parco della Pace. In addition, the local associations will be present to promote their activities. Friday and Saturday two evenings of entertainment and music are offered.
The athletes' companions or those who come to the "Bike Arena" of the Parco della Pace will have the opportunity to participate in a tour of the city by e-bike "Palladio Express", following a cycling guide (Saturday 5th at 15.30pm and Sunday 6th October at 9.30am). It will also be possible to take a guided e-bike test where a technician will rent an e-bike for 30 minutes. Both proposals, upon reservation and for a fee, are managed by RideAlone.
The program
The “Bike Arena” of the Peace Park will open its gates to 14.30pm Friday 4th October. After the inauguration of the event at 18.15, the evening will open with a Social ride by Dusted, from 18.30pm to 20pm. From 21.15 the day will end with the 90's Party "It's 90 time“, a show to dance and have fun until midnight.
Saturday October 5 The Via dei Berici gravel will start at 8.30: it is a non-competitive open gravel and e-bike ride, with a French start, along the dirt roads of the Berici Hills with gourmet refreshments to discover the territory of Palladio and the Berici food and wine. Three routes are planned: short, medium and long.
In the afternoon by 15 there will be Via dei Berici Kids dedicated to the very young category (Registration until October 3rd clicking here).
In the evening, from 21.30 am to 23.30 pm, The Rockstar live show, a rock music show that will propose the most famous pieces of this musical genre with some twists that will surprise the audience.
Sunday 6 October at 8.30am La Via dei berici MTB will start, a mountain bike race on the Berici Hills, the main event of the event. Participants will travel 50 kilometers and 1200 meters of altitude difference.
Also scheduled for Sunday is the Fiab Bimbimbici bike ride for children and families (https://www.fiabvicenza.it/).
During the day, while the athletes are engaged in the race, children and their families will be able to participate in initiatives dedicated to them.
Entrances and parking
Car parking inside the Parco della Pace area with entrance from Viale Ferrarin. Free until 19pm. Subsequently, a small donation will be requested which will be donated to the National Alpine Association – Vicenza section, present during the evenings
Pedestrian and cycle entrance from via Sant'Antonino.
All information about www.laviadeiberici.com
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