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.
