Cycling in Sicily

In May, 2003, Gordon and Deb joined 7 other cyclists and 2 great guides for a 9 day cycling adventure in Sicily, thanks to our work with Ciclismo Classico. Here are some pictoral highlights from that tour!

After landing in Catania, Sicily, we were met by our two awesome guides, Marcello and Paolo. Soon we were on our way to Noto, which was rebuilt in Baroque style following the terrible 1693 earthquake. We stayed in a beautiful restored monastery, and got a guided tour of the city. If you go there, check out the world's best ice cream!

Our first evening in Noto introduced us to the wonderful pleasures of Sicilian dining! Beginning with antipasta, first course, second course, ensalada, deserts, breads, wine and more wine, we had to learn how to pace ourselves!

Our first full day of riding took us to Ragusa, after stopping for lunch where the dishes kept on coming! We were blessed each day with clear skies, which offered awesome views of the surrounding mountains and fields.

Walking on the surface of active Mount Etna,

Gordon, Deb, Jim, Fred, Sarah, Grant & Jane

We were amazed at the site of an ancient stone city emerging out of the rocky hilltop. Ragusa Ibla, also rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, looks ancient, but is popular for its modern festive nightlife!

On day three, we took an incredible downhill ride towards the coast, where the regular riders headed out to Modica, while the extra loop also took on a section of the Sicilian coast. Payback was the hot climb back to the ridge over Ragusa, but the cool Olympic pool back at the inn made it all ok again, and that evening went out to dinner and wine in Ibla.

Voted "Best Ride of the Tour", Day Four began with an exciting ride through Ragusa, led by our able and entertaining guide Marcello. It was followed by rolling hills that led us through Vizzini and Buccheri to our Five Star hotel in Caltagirone.

In adddition to awesome riding, food, wine, and scenery, we were in the best of company! Paolo and Marcello renamed us at the airport! Gordon was Gorfredo, Fred was Alfredo, Dominick was Mimo, Cindy became Cinzia, Dominick was Mimo, Jane was renamed Gina, Grant became Generale, and Jim was Giacomo. Deborah was shortened to Debora, and Sarah was Sara!

On our fifth day in Sicily, we took on some beautiful climbs to Morgantina, where we walked among the ruins of a Greek city from one of the many eras of Sicilian history. All morning long we were astounded by the colors of the flowers, surrounding mountains, as we enjoyed having the local roads all to ourselves!

Day 6 started out with a hike up the side of Mount Etna, which erupted again late last year. As we walked in the cinder-like lava, we sometimes felt the heat coming up through the soles of our boots! But just a few meters away we could reach into a mound of snow by just brushing of the black dust!

We woke up on Day 7 on the Aeolian island of Lipari. We went by boat first to Salina, which is composed of six extinct volcanoes. We took a short ride up and down, through the three communities on the islands, and then took the boat again. Landing on tiny Panarea, we walked along town roads too narrow for cars, among beautiful white stuccoed homes and flowering bushes. Then our captain took us back to Lipari for our second night in it's beautiful main town, where we ate and drank wine long into the night.

Our last day on the bikes offered a 25 mile ride around most of the perimeter of Lipari. There are plenty of climbs on a volcanic island, but so much to see. We stopped for lunch at a friend of our 2 guides, where we were treated to course after course of Sicilian country food! A little more climbing after that, and then it was time for some exhilerating downhills!

Even our final day offered new experiences! Paolo led us through the crowded open air fish and vegetable markets, and made sure we not only got to our hotel, but was there at 4 am the next morning to see us off to the airport! The skies stayed clear all the way back, so we were treated to beautiful views of the Alps, took a nap, and woke up flying over Newfoundland and New Brunswick. A perfect trip!

Thanks for pictures go to Marcello, Gordon, and Fred. We hereby proclaim Paolo to be the Mayor of Sicily. What connections! What a team! Marcello and Paolo did three times the distance just to make sure front and back were ok! Thanks, Marcello, for patiently educated us all about wine and teaching us l'italiano!