One of the last rides in Sicily. It was absolutely fabulous. This is the Bar that we all know very well. A perfect 11-mile stop for an amazing Raviolo or Granita while deciding to do Geep Hill, Muglia, Paterno, or even so far as Agira/Ragulbuto... or just simply to head back home. Now that I am stateside... I am very sad to be forced on to bike paths in order to insure I survive. I tell everyone that riding on a bike path is like running on a treadmill. I don't want to say that we were spoiled in the four years living in Sicily and being able to ride whenever and where ever we want... but in a way I guess so. Mt. Enta and all the towns and all the provinces offered Tres and I the most spectacular ride of our life. Sicily... we will miss you. I gave you my heart and soul, ride after ride. I told you things that I told nobody. And at the end of the rides you whooped my butt but I always walked away with a smile. Now I am stateside and I finally feel my nerves tightening back up and the pace of life here is way too fast. You were good to me Sicily.... one day we shall meet again. - Jan 2011

40th Birthday of FUN!

This summer has been very mild in Sicilia and we were lucky to enjoy a pleasant 45 miles of riding before it got too hot for the big 40th celebration ride for Tres. We headed out of Marinai none too early in hopes to time our arrival at Casale Belmontino around noon. We headed out toward Cantenuova and stopped at Sferro for a quick pick me up and granita. The owners must have knew we were having a celebration and brought over freshly made chocolate granita! We then sang Happy Birthday to Tres. After heading to Cantenuova, instead of going toward Centripe we followed signs out of the town to Ragalbuto. We then turned left at the first sign that says Agira. This road cuts across the valley to the other main road. When we came to the T in the road we went left for some MUCH deserved downhill all the way down, under the Autostrata to our cafe that we always stop at. You know... the one by the bridge and railroad tracks? I then had a fun time asking for Prosecco and got very strange looks... maybe because it was only 10:30 am? Then I asked for Bellini and the nonna started making me a Pannini! Then I had to bust out my Italian and tell her that my husband was turning 40 today and that we needed to celebrate and then she understood! Before we knew it... we had a few glasses of Pinot Nior at our table where we toasted and sang Happy Birthday to Tres again! Perfect timing since the back was pretty stiff at this point. We then got on the bikes and headed up the road to the first sign to Radussa where we turned right and headed up to the town. Once through the town, we headed all the way downhill to Casale Belmontino where we would stay the night and celebrate the day. We arrived at exactly Noon... threw on the swimsuits and got ready for our L'Una (1 pm) italian lunch! It was fabulous! We were so full that by dinner time we still were not hungry. After more celebrations, the next day we set off back home for our 35-mile return back to Marinai. It was a fabulous way to celebate the big 40th!

Cantenuova-Regalbuto-Agira

The second most fabulous day of spring here in Sicilia! We set off on a "homewrecker" ride with the goal of Regalbuto and Agira in our day's cycling plans. We left around 8:30 am and pedaled out to Sferro where we met a wonderful "il cane" wanting to run along side Tres. The dog ran through the ditches in hopes of having some fun all day but only lasted for a bit. He was a sweet fella and wanting to only join our adventure.

We then weaved our way through Cantenuova following all the signs, through many lefts then rights, toward Regalbuto. The road then led us on our way as we climbed hard and descended rapidly through the most greenest fields of the season surrounded by cherry and almond trees blossoming with orange groves and olive trees speckled throughout the landscape.

One more hill and a little tunnel and we arrived in Regalbuto! A stop for a cappuccino and biscotti was in order and that is just what we did. We knew what was ahead... a hard climb, at one point a 12% grade, and this is what I was mentally preparing myself for.

Once the coffee and sweets were paid for... we set on our way to the neighboring town of Agira. This route provides an amazing view of Mt. Etna the entire way. We started our descend and then climb again towards that 12% grade. Along the way, the views are spectacular and on this particular day, the weather just could not be beat!

We arrived in Agira! As we weaved through the narrow streets of two-way traffic, we found ourselves descending into a new area of town and we were starting to worry that we would have to walk up that same steep cobblestone because of an error in judgement. Lo and behold... I spotted an A19 sign and we continued descending and then once again weaving our way back up to the top of Agira. We came to a fork on the other side of town that led to one last climb out of Agira but it was on Cobblestone and I didn't know if we could make it. I charged that hill in hopes it wouldn't defeat me but once I stood up on the bike.... CRASH & burn. The tire slipped out from under me and I was down before I could even react. At this moment, a little bump in the road didn't let me down. I was just happy that we popped out at the top of the hill and in the right place. Sicilian towns could cost one dearly if a wrong turn is made... especially on a bike.

Of course, what goes up, and up, and up must inventually go down! And we were flying down the mountain toward the A19 which we had to cross under to get home. Through one more hard climb and a little more downhill we traveled past the most colorful landscape and running streams of the spring season.

After 4200 ft. in climbing and close t0 5000 calories burned it was time to stop for lunch at a cafe and share a "panini e bira". At this point, we only had 32 miles until we arrived at home and it was the perfect time to stop.

Once we fed our appetites with the fresh cibo of the area... we managed to roll on home. What an amazing 5.5 hours on the bike with the landscape so colorful and the air so fresh and clear. Truly this ride is one of our best loops and something that will be rare for other places we visit to equally offer.

First Warm Day of 2010

This field is beautiful. It is surrounded by beautifully placed old rocks that fence in the farmland. The flowers are just starting to bloom and I thought I wanted to run through the field in glee until I noticed the many L'Ape (BEES!). So... sitting on the wall was as close as I was going to get. The view of Etna from this point is special and is very quiet and peaceful. Tucked away down the valley are orange groves, olive trees, and sheep herders doing what they do best.

This was the first warm day in a long time. The perfect weather calling only for knickers and a long sleeve jersey. Days like this make it easy to ride all day.

The road loops past NAS II area over to the 385 and then I turn right around Scordia signs and head to the 417 and then home. About a 36-mile loop. It is one of my favorites with flats, touring, hill climb, and then a downhill. Nice mix and a great mid-week ride.

Cold fingers & toes BUT warm heart

The weather has finally turned and winter finally arrived in Sicilia. As the fiore di le donne bloomed below the orange and olive trees it snowed on Mt. Etna this week. The best part of winter riding is no 0600 wake-up calls! Hit the road at 10 am and hope for no wind, no clouds, or threating weather. Though this weekend's weather was a bit on the cold side... I did manage to get out and ride and not solo for the first time in weeks. Actually stumbled on a few Americans out there. Shocking... didn't think any would put on the layers on a chilly day but they did. I met four new riders on the road and managed to talk two of them into riding with me. One of the riders asked me,"Do you ride? because a lot of people say they ride but they really don't." Inside I was chuckling... no one really knows "Jenni One Speed" anymore here at Sig. This is not such a bad thing. All the riders that I used to chase for many gruelling hours have spun their cycling into an entirely new direction: Racing on the Italian Circuit. As those continue to chase the wheels in all their races... I will be gracefully climbing up to a dolci & cappi stop and then chasing my angels down the mountains as fast as I can for the best part of the ride. No egos to bruise... no curfews to break. Simply me, the road, and the Sicilian landscape.

-Jenni One Speed

Spring has sprung? Don't let it fool you...

Today was the perfect day to get back on the bike for the first time in a couple of weeks and it was absolutely splendid.

I set out for Geep Hill which is only 30 miles and some change but the wind was pumping and I chose my direction of the route wisely so that the wind would push me home.

As I was heading toward the Sferro tracks.... a huge group of Italians was out for their midday Sunday ride and cheers of "BELLA" echoed at me as they flew past wearing pants and jackets on such a 70-degree type of winter day. Up ahead I saw the Sferro coffee shop and to the West were many looming, dark clouds but since the weather was warm I wasn't going to let a little rain cut my route short.

As I crawled up Geep Hill... I watched my speedometer go from 10, 9, 8, 7, and then I held 6 for the rest of the hill but the wind sure was killing me. Then I was done... yeah!

On the way home... I was flying at 20 which is terrific while solo. I charged ahead seeing some cyclists and caught up to them. We had the usual conversation of where do I live, where am I heading, did I have a good holiday, the weather... etc. Then the gentleman I was riding with took a picture of me which was pretty cool. We bid farewell at my turn home and they continued 12 miles to Motta.

On the last turn home... I got a free orange at the farmer selling produce on the side and once I arrived at home I threw off the cycling shoes and ate my orange in the carport. It was the best orange I have had all season. Only a few more weeks for the blood oranges!

10 minutes later the rain arrived.

A Sunday with a house full of travel mess all over the house and a husband deployed couldn't get any better than this.

Spring has Sprung in Sicilia!

Another great two weekends of riding. Last weekend, we ventured out to Radussa which makes for a 62-mile roundtrip ride. The first 30 miles are flats and a few hills and a nice climb up to Radussa.

For those who don't know the route... head toward Sferro and then keep straight and go over the railroad tracks and at about 29 miles there is a sign for Radussa. Go left and head that way, through the town of Radussa, and then you will come to a T... if you go right that will take you to Morgantina. Left takes you back home. The road is closed to traffic because a mudslide has pretty much blocked the tunnel. So... the road is a bit of dirt but rideable. Then head straight home.

The spring flowers are all along the median and filled with daisies, poppies and many other things. On the way to radussa there are mustard plants and fava beans growing everywhere. Also... the Oranges have Orange blossoms right now creating a strong jasmin-like fragrance along the way.

Yesterday... Tres and I did Muella and Geep and had a great time enjoying the wonderful scenery with Etna still having a bit of snow and the lands still very green.