Returns on April 13th, the seventh edition of the vintage cycling event of Naples "La Vulcanica". The Parthenopean cycle vintage, the Vulcanica, is an event predominantly run on cobblestone streets, the "cazzimbocchi" in Neapolitan dialect. This is where the spirit of cycling from another era will be experienced. It is the second stage of the 2025 Regional Vintage Cycling Circuit with ten events throughout Italy, from Maleventum in Benevento to Marittima in Scauri, the vintage cycling from the Waterfalls to Isola Liri Lake, La Velletrana, La Felliniana, the Caserta Epic, the Carrareccia of Lake Bolsena, "Francesco nei Sentieri" in Perugia, L'Aglianica in Taurasi and the Puglia vintage cycling in Polignano a Mare.

When you say cazzimbocchio, you're essentially saying Naples. A version of "coso", an emergency term for any object or person whose name you can't remember or don't know the exact denomination, more genuine, more colorful, probably even with an offensive undertone, at least originally. The term, however, indicates porphyry cubes for paving streets, the cobblestones, in fact. The goal is to take a dive into the past, from clothing to bikes to the route, everything has a more authentic flavor. Without too much technology, nor technical suits. Adventure spirit, sweat, effort, and brotherhood among participating cyclists are the key ingredients for the event's success. The unbreakable regulation requires that to participate, one must have vintage bikes to free from attics and storage rooms vehicles that have been stationary for years and put them back in motion. Because we know bikes have a soul, and this way we bring them back to life.

The appointment is for Sunday, April 13th at 7:00 sharp, departing from the former NATO Base in Bagnoli, coffee and croissant, and off we go. The first panoramic passage will be at the Monte Echia belvedere, followed by an energy recharge with a savory breakfast in the heart of the Spanish Quarters, at CU.QU / Neighborhood Kitchen, the wonderful bistro on Vicoletto Berio. The route will continue through Spaccanapoli, a dive into the Forcella neighborhood, passing by the Castel Capuano courthouse, then under the Porta Capuana arch to arrive at a rendezvous with history.

For the first time since the legendary era of Fausto Coppi, Vulcanica participants will enter the mythical Albricci Velodrome in Naples, where the champion won the Campano Giro in 1954 and 1955, as recounted in the book "Il Giro Racconta", the wonderful story of the pink race and its 122 arrivals in Campania, by Giampaolo Porreca. The cyclists will also pay homage to the plaque commemorating Coppi's feats, placed two years ago inside the velodrome.

An epic, exciting return, loaded with memory and symbolism. This entrance represents not only a tribute to the glorious history of Neapolitan cycling but also a bridge between past and present. A milestone that smells of legend, in the pulsating heart of Naples.

Then it will be time to head to the Royal Wood of Capodimonte, climbing from the new access of Santa Maria ai Monti that will lead participants to the magnificent Giardino Torre refreshment point, a historic Bourbon citrus grove carefully and stylishly renovated by Delizie Reali. Exiting the woods, another dive into Sanità, which will be reached descending from Via Serbatoio to Scudillo, where the Neapolitan aqueduct runs under the road, on a street closed to traffic for over thirty years that has naturally become an urban trekking path. At the end of the descent, as always, the warm welcome from Ciro Poppella and his "fiocco di neve" at the eponymous pastry shop.

There will also be a passage through Piazza del Plebiscito, a stroll along the seafront admiring Castel dell'Ovo and then cyclists will face the splendid uphill hairpin turns towards the Posillipo hill with unique views overlooking the Gulf of Naples.

Arriving in Posillipo at Parco Virgiliano for a new refreshment, the routes will then split, with the classic route of about 50 kilometers (with less than 1000 meters of elevation gain) heading to the forty hectares of the Mostra d'Oltremare park, while the extended version will reach the Phlegraean area on the shores of Lake Averno for a well-deserved refreshment with the delicious Procolino, a typical pastry from Pozzuoli's Antica Pasticceria del Giudice, through the dirt trails of Monte Nuovo.

This year's edition could not help but be dedicated to the 2500 years since Naples' founding, which will be honored with a publication dedicated to the siren Parthenope and a special tattoo. For all participants, a welcome aperitif on Saturday, April 12th at the Bicycle House in Galleria Principe di Napoli, where race packages will be distributed and the route presented in detail.

The Vulcanica is promoted by the Napoli Pedala Association, is among the sporting events supported by ARUS Campania Region, enjoys the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy, INAIL Campania, and has the patronage of the Campania Region, the City of Naples, the Royal Wood of Capodimonte, the Metropolitan Hills Park of Naples, the Southern Operational Forces Command, and is part of AMODO's Gentle Mobility Spring.

Over a hundred participants from all over Italy, with registrations close to sold out for the Vulcanica. For those who want to participate, at the upcoming Naples Bike Festival events, on May 16th there will be the first edition of the Vesuvio Gravel, Campania Trail, a three-day bike journey of over 300 km with the final climb of Vesuvius.

For info and registrations https://www.napolibikefestival.it/la-vulcanica-ciclostorica-napoletana-domenica-13-aprile-2025/