My Biking Blog

"La Bella Italia" Stage 9 Villagio Mancuso - Sibari

This Giorgio Albanese a special day on the bike as the scenery was magnificent. The NP della Sila is a very pretty national park and the lunch stop at Lago Cecita was memorable. Fantastic descent into Sibari through San Giorgi Albanese. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 9 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 9

"pulling your weight" Damian Ken Chrissie Liz and Peter

on the way to lunch stop Lorica

Lago Arvo

Damian with friend at Lorica

coffee stop Lorica

near lunch stop

Lago di Cicita

lunchstop Lago di Cicita

Marmot catches some sun

enroute to Sibari

hills above Sibari and the Ionian Sea

San Giorgio Albanese

"La Bella Italia" Stage 8 Pizzo - Villagio Mancuso

This was a real challenge as I lost the route after lunch and ended up taking a course through a very steep valley. The gradients on this climb were 25% and just killed me in the heat. I managed to find my way back onto the route and into Villagio Mancuso where a cold beer an dhotel bed were much appreciated. You Tube link La Bella Italia Stage 8 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 8

Tiriolo where we had lunch

Tiriolo town square

through the "Valley of Death" heading to Villagio Mancuso

"Valley of Death"

viaduct at the bottom of gorge

Parco Nazionale della Sila - beautiful

stuffed!

lake near Villagio Mancuso

forest and meadows near Villagio Mancuso

Villagio Mancuso

Doutse Aneke and Oebele

Chrissie and Damian leaving hotel at Pizzo

coffee stop before the climb to lunchTiriolo

Tiriolo

near Villagio Mancuso

Hotel at Villagio Mancuso

"La Bella Italia" Stage 7 Palmi - Pizzo

Lovely weather today and a scenic route. Some tough climbs and tricky descents. YouTube link La Bella Italia Stage 7 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 7

Taureana

Camping at Palmi

Margi Liz and Peter

Lunchstop

"La Bella Italia" Stage 6 Taormina - Palmi

Monte Sant Elia (Tre Croci)

Fontana Vecchio - Villa San Giovanno

This stage followed the coastlines of Sicily and the southern toe of the Italian mainland. Certainly very scenic with plenty of coastal views. After crossing the Straights of Messina to Villa San Giovanni we stopped for lunch at Scilla. Towards Palmi I took a 5km detour to Monte San Elia which is a lookout high above the coast overlooking Palmi. This was a highlight as the view was spectacular and the three stone crosses on the mountain added to the dramatic effect. YouTube link la Bella Italia Stage 6 Garmin Connect link LBI Stage 6