Sunday ride to Ponte di Sagana and Torretta

After all the rides I already blogged about, there are still some areas in sunny Sicily I haven’t shown you guys. Yesterday I went for a 95 km bike ride starting in the town of Balestrate. I rode to Partinico and climbed to (Ponte di) Sagana. From there I followed the mountain road to Montelepre and Piana dell’occhio, from which “frazione” I descended to the town of Torretta. From this town I cycled back home passing the towns of Carini, Villagrazia di Carini, Cinisi, Terrasini and Trappeto.

This is the view I had when I arrived at the top of the climb in Sagana:

The view from Sagana

A few hundred meters away there’s a spot where years ago the locals went to pray. You can still see some crosses and a statue of Jesus:

My Ridley Helium SL in the mountains near Sagana

There’s a nice climb in this area, which starts here (lots of 8% stretches and some 12-14% gradients near the end of the climb). I took the following picture at the end of that climb:

A part of the gulf area

On the other side of the road wild boars are bred for their meat. Completely unaware of their future fate, they all enjoyed a lovely day in the sun and the mud…:

Wild boars near Sagana

Wild boars near Sagana

Wild boars near Sagana

I rode to Montelepre and climbed towards Piana dell’Occhio. I followed the road towards the descent to the town of Toretta…

Near Piana dell’Occhio

…and stopped to take a picture of the incredible view!

The view from Piana dell’Occhio

The small island in the sea (see the above picture) is Isola delle Femmine, which in English means “Island of the Women”. The island itself is not inhabited anymore. The etymology of the name is uncertain: a story claims the origins of the name from a females’ only prison supposedly located in the island in the 16th century. A more reliable claim is that in the 19th century, a plague or sickness occurred in the town and the women and children were sent to the island off shore until it had passed.

I looked down and saw the hairpins of the descent to the town of Torretta:

The hairpins of the descent to the town of Torretta

Even though there are several hairpins in the road, the descent has a few long, almost straight stretches where you can reach nice speeds…

Near the town of Torretta

On the descent to the town of Torretta

When I arrived in Torretta, I decided to put the camera away and to ride home. When I ride in the opposite direction and start the climb in the town of Torretta I will definitely take some additional pictures.

Until next time!