The 4th Annual Vintage Bicycle Ride is coming up, September 14, 2024 starting at the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake, Utah, which kicks off the Festa Italiana Salt Lake City. Festa Italiana is a two day huge free cultural event at the Gateway Mall that has great food tents, merchandise tents, music stage, cook classes, dancing, singing, and Italian cars and motorcycles displayed.
When many people think of Italy, they think pasta, pizza, bread, cars, art, opera, history, Catholicism, wine, baked goods, and of course bicycles. Some of the greatest cyclists in history are from Italy such as Fausto Coppi (1919 – 1960), Gino Bartali (1914 – 2000), Felice Gimondi (1942 – 2019), Marco Pantani (1970 – 2004), Alfredo Binda (1902 – 1986), Ottavio Bottecchia (1894 – 1927), and Carlo Galetti (1882 – 1949). These individuals have the honor to write some of the best bicycles in the world based in Italy such as, Bianchi, Basso, Colnago, Legnano, Bottecchia, Guerciotti, Do Rosa, Gios, Cinelli, Pinarello, Tommasini, and Maino. With this amazing cycling history L’Eroica, in Tuscony, Italy was born. L’Eroica is a bicycle ride with the rules being to ride a classic bicycle in vintage clothing. The ride influenced similar rides throughout the world – Germany, Japan, California, and South Africa. The Salt Lake Vintage Bicycle Ride holds to this history, beautiful, and joy. Every year the ride gets bigger and better with more sponsors, people, awards, and vintage bicycle to check out.
This year the ride is being sponsored by Hangar 15 Bicycles, Sun and Ski Sports, Saturday Cycles, Ostera Amore, Bingham Cyclery and the Italian Club of Salt Lake.
I asked Guiliana Marple the founder of the ride, What do you like most about this ride? She told me, “I like the variety of people who participate in the event. From the timid university student who borrows a bike to join the fun, to the die-hard bike collector who shows up with a vintage authentic sweet ride.”
I also asked Guilana, Why is it important for people to remember that cycling is important to Italy? She told me, “Cycling is a vital part of Italian culture and lifestyle. The entire country rallies around the Giro D’Italia. Cycling in Italy is truly remarkable. Italy is a beautiful destination for this sport and it welcomes cyclists of all levels. Besides being a pastime in Italy, cycling is for many the principle method fo transport, especially in small towns and villages.”
Event information:
September 14, 2024 — SLC Vintage Ride p/b Festa Italiana, Salt Lake City, UT, Approximately 3-mile flat fun ride starting and finishing at the Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City, marking the official open of the Annual Festa Italiana. Old bikes with single-speed drivetrains, flip-flop hubs, rod derailleurs, etc are encouraged. Wool jerseys and shorts as well as other vintage bike attire are also encouraged. Unlike cyclists from decades ago, we highly encourage helmets, Festa Italiana, [email protected], festaitalianaslc.com/4th-annual-vintage-bike-ride, bikereg.com/slc-vintage-ride
