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