"La Bella Italia" Stage 5 Nicolosi - Taormina

Another climb to Etna - this time to a height of 1900m. A tough day, although the descent from Etna was a hoot. Rest day in Taormina was a great experience as this town is very picturesque and the buildings have a unique charm. There is a Greek theatre ruin in the town and this is still used for performances on special occassions. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 5 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 5

an abandoned property on the lava fields of Etna

climbing towards Mt Etna

The top of the climb to Mt Etna

view of the coast from Taormina

looking towards Isola Bella

"La Bella Italia" Stage 4 Gerace - Nicolosi

This was the stage to Mt Etna which is the highest (3300m) active volcano in Europe. The mountain is also the highest in Italy south of the Alps. Etna is 2.5 times higher than the next highest (Mt Vesuvius). This was a tough day and one of the toughest on this trip. Nicolosi camp ground (Camping Etna) was covered with black ash, and this was evident on the roads as we rode towards Etna. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 4 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 4

near Enna

Enna

Liz, Margi, me and Peter Mac

near Lago Pozillo

"La Bella Italia" Stage 3 Agrigento - Gerace

A scenic stage which included views across the valleys that run throughout the mountains of central Sicily. Camped on this night at a farmstay (olive grove). Still some challenging climbs up into the hills at Geracello. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 3 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 3

me fixing a puncture before leaving Agrigento

enroute from Naro

Mazzarino

"La Bella Italia" Stage 2 Santa Stefano Quisquina - Agrigento

A not so long stage but nevertheless a few hills to keep us honest! Got lost along the way before lunch. Made it into Agrigento around 3pm and visited the Valley of Temples (Greek Temple Ruins over 2000 years old) YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 2 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 2

Santo Stefano Quisquina

enroute from SS Quisquina

Prizzi

ruins at Agrigento

Temple of Concordia

view above Valley of Temples

Icarus Fallen - Valley of Temples

"La Bella Italia" Stage 1 Palermo - Santo Stefano Quisquina

This first stage crossed from the north western side of Sicily into the central rural area of the island. The region is Mafia heartland and passing through the town on Corleone reminded us of the history of Mafia influence in Sicily. Garmin Connect link here La Bella Italia Stage 1 YouTube link here LBI Stage 1

Azzolini "Palm Beach" Hotel

"La Bella Italia 2013" Group

near Corleone

Prizzi

wild poppies as far as the eye can see

Hotel Pigno D'Oro - view from our window

"La Bella Italia" Palermo

In May and June 2013 my wife Kathren and I undertook the challenge of "La Bella Italia", a cycling tour of Italy run by Dutch company "Bike-Dreams". After 3000kms and over 40,000 metres of elevation gain pedalling like crazy we have survived our journey on the "strada" of Itay from Palermo to Como. A great adventure for us and filled with many memories. Biking through this country of many contrasts; physically and culturally, gave us a unique insight into the Italian "way of life". From the olive and citrus groves of Sicily, the poorer rural areas in the south, the beautiful hotels and resorts of the Amalfi Coast, the antiquities and breathtaking architecture of the famous cities (Naples/Pompeii, Rome, Florence, Venice) to the awesome profile of the towering peaks of the Dolomites; we were treated to a truly memorable experience. We probably will never undertake another journey on this scale, but we are pleased we did it, despite the effort and saddle sores! Losing over 10kgs in weight between us is evidence of the calories required to spin those pedals over 100kms every day for 5 weeks! In this blog I will share some of the photographs and impressions of our journey, along with details of the GPS course and elevation profile of each of the 28 stages.

I this the first page of the series, I have posted a number of pics taken during our first few days in Cinisi (near Palermo) before the departure of the tour on May 11. There are two links provided here for rides we did during this time - Piano Margi - Capo Rama

Milan

Milan Duomo Square

Milan Duomo Square

Bobbin Head Cycle Classic 2013

Sunday 24th March 2013 was the date of the second BHCC. This year the course was changed due to Police concerns about descents on major public roads (like Pacific Hwy) and road closures were also employed more extensively than last year. The route covered a loop from Turramurra (Karuah Oval) through Wahroonga and along Pacific Hwy to Bobbin Head. The second section along Mona Vale Road and through Duffys Forest tested the legs with a number of short but quite steep climbs. The final section took riders through McCarrs Creek to West Head Rd out and back and the return trip to Turramurra via Akuna Bay and Mona Vale Rd.
The support for this years event seemed considerably stronger than 2012. More riders (over 1700 registrations) and more volunteers. Starting at 7am, I rode the first 25km with Easyriders and when that bunch started to separate I decided to go it alone. Kath started at Mt Colah 0830hrs and did the short course (58km) which took in Duffys Forest and Terrey Hills. I cycled the full 105km course and managed to finish at approx 1230hrs. The North Sydney riders rode well in a group, and I had a chat at the finish. I stopped for food and coffee at Akuna Bay Marina. Conditions in the early morning were excellent but became quite hot and humid after 1000hrs. Below is a series of pics taken enroute. Garmin Connect link Bobbin Head Cycle Classic 2013