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giro dello scorpione – program and proposed bike routes

On this page you’ll find the proposed program and bike routes for the Giro dello Scorpione 2015. These may chance a bit, but will give you a good idea of what to expect.

Day 1                                              
Most participants will arrive today, so after welcoming you to this lovely island, I will show you your accommodation. We will do a short bike fit for those of you who have rented a bike and there’s a possibility to do a first ride together:
Proposed ride day 1
A short ride near Partinico to a panoramic viewpoint from where you can see the Gulf area.
distance: 33 km / total ascent 447 m

The road leading to the panoramic viewpoint near Partinico

The road leading to the panoramic viewpoint near Partinico

Evening

We end the first day of the Giro dello Scorpione with a dinner in one of the local restaurants (included in the price for the gds).

Day 2                                              
After breakfast we go for a bike ride.
Proposed ride day 2
A ride through Balestrate, Carini, Montelepre and Partinico with lovely sea views and a nice climb (450 m ascent) from the town of Carini to Montelepre.
distance: 74 km / total ascent 960 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Bars/gelateria on the town square of Carini

The Carini climb

The Carini climb

Alternative, shorter ride day 2
A ride through Balestrate, Alcamo Marina, Castellammare del Golfo and Alcamo with lovely sea views and a shorter climb (175 m ascent) near the town of Alcamo.
distance: 45 km/ total ascent 610 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Bars in the harbor of Castellammare del Golfo and Wine bar Cantina Aurelia.

My Ridley Helium SL in Castellammare del Golfo

In Castellammare del Golfo

Evening

Dinner in Ristorante Pizzeria La Batìa in Alcamo (optional).

 

Day 3                                              
After breakfast we go for a bike ride.
Proposed ride day 3
A ride to and a visit of the temple and amphitheater of Segesta, the Garibaldi monument at Pianto Romano and a climb to the bosco di Alcamo. The tickets for the archaeological park of Segesta and the Garibaldi monument are included in the price for the gds.
distance: 75 km/ total ascent 1600 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Segesta archaeological park

My Ridley Helium SL near the temple of Segesta

My Ridley Helium SL near the temple of Segesta

On the climb to the Bosco di Alcamo

On the climb to the Bosco di Alcamo

Alternative, shorter ride day 3
The same ride to and a visit of the temple and amphitheater of Segesta, the Garibaldi monument at Pianto Romano, but without the climb to the Bosco di Alcamo. The tickets for the archaeological park of Segesta and the Garibaldi monument are included in the price for the gds.
distance: 60 km/ total ascent 1060 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Segesta archaeological park.

On the climb to the temple and amphitheater of Segesta

On the climb to the temple and amphitheater of Segesta

Evening

Dinner in Ristorante Serisso 47 in Trapani (optional).

 

Day 4                                              
After breakfast we’re off for a bike ride.
Proposed ride day 4
A ride to the Medieval town of Erice, located on the Monte Erice at 750 meters above sea level and back via the SS113, passing Calatafimi-Segesta.
distance: 125 km / total ascent 2150 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Panoramic point near Castellammare del Golfo, Valderice/Erice and in Dattilo (Eurobar Di Michele Mazzara) where you’ll find the best cannoli!

The Medieval town of Erice on top of Monte Erice

The Medieval town of Erice on top of Monte Erice

On the climb to the Medieval town of Erice

On the climb to the Medieval town of Erice

Alternative, shorter ride day 4
A ride to the Medieval town of Erice, located on the Monte Erice at 750 meters above sea level and a transfer back (transfer costs: 35 Euros p.p.)
distance: 59 km/ total ascent 1265 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Panoramic point near Castellammare del Golfo and in Valderice/Erice

On the climb to the Medieval town of Erice

On the climb to the Medieval town of Erice

At the entrance gate

At the entrance gate

Afternoon

Lunch in the town of Erice (optional).
Sports massage in Balestrate (optional, costs 50 Euros p.p. for one hour)

Evening

Dinner in Ristorante Il Gitano in Castellammare del Golfo (optional).

 

Day 5                                              
After breakfast we go for a bike ride.
Proposed ride day 5
A ride near Lago Poma, through the towns of Grisì, Camporeale, San Cipirello and Partinico.
distance: 65 km / total ascent 925 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Bars in Grisì and Camporeale.

The hilly landscape between the towns of Grisì, San Cipirello and Camporeale

The hilly landscape between the towns of Grisì, San Cipirello and Camporeale

Lago Poma

Lago Poma

Alternative, shorter ride day 5
A ride near Lago Poma, through the towns of Grisì and Partinico.
distance: 40 km/ total ascent 530 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Bars in Grisì and Trappeto.

In the town of Trappeto

In the town of Trappeto

Afternoon

Wine, olive oil, cheese and salami tasting (included in the price for the gds).

Evening

Pizza! (included in the price for the gds).

 

Day 6                                              
After breakfast we’re off for a bike ride.
Proposed ride day 6
A ride to Monte Pellegrino in Palermo. Expect some great sea and city views!
distance: 125 km / total ascent 1815 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Bars in Piana dell’Occhio, Torretta, Sferracavallo and Carini.

The view from Piana dell'Occhio

The view from Piana dell’Occhio

Alternative, shorter ride day 6
A ride through the towns of Giardinello, Montelepre, Torretta and Carini.
distance: 47 km/ total ascent 505 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Bars in Piana dell’Occhio, Torretta and Carini.

On the descent to the town of Torretta

On the descent to the town of Torretta

The hairpins of the descent to the town of Torretta

The hairpins of the descent to the town of Torretta

Evening

Dinner in Ristorante del Golfo in Castellammare del Golfo (optional).

 

Day 7                                              
After breakfast we’re off for a bike ride.
Proposed ride day 7
A ride to Scopello and Balata di Baida. Again, expect some great sea views!
distance: 76km / total ascent 1500 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Panoramic point at Castellammare del Golfo, bars in Scopello, and Balata di Baida.

Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare del Golfo

The area near the town of Balata di Baida

The area near the town of Balata di Baida

In the Scopello area

In the Scopello area

Alternative, shorter ride day 7
A ride to Scopello and back.
distance: 64 km/ total ascent 1175 m
Possible stops for drinks, ice cream, lunch, etc.: Panoramic point at Castellammare del Golfo and bars in Scopello.

Evening

Dinner in Ristorante Pizzeria La Balestra (optional).

 

Day 8                                              
Time to go…
This is the last day of the Giro dello Scorpione, so it’s time to say goodbye, take some last pics and exchange email addresses. Arrivederci in Sicilia!

Follow the Giro dello Scorpione on Twitter
This cycling event will be held from May 30 until June 6 2015
Disclaimer: The Giro dello Scorpione is not organized by Castelli but by cycling guide and Castelli fan, Don Bici

Giro dello Scorpione 2015

Amici del Giro dello scorpione:

Sport 77 - visit their website here

Sport 77 – visit the website

on-Sicily - visit the website here

on-Sicily – visit the website

4 Comments

  1. Is the giro also suitable for mountain bikers?

    • Ciao Rob! Mountain bikers are also welcome. I’ve done all rides, except for the one to the medieval town of Erice, on a mountain bike before, so they are certainly doable. However, the routes are made for road cyclists, so nothing off-road I’m afraid. I can point out some nice routes you can do on a MTB, like the one to Monte Inici, so on some days you could skip the programmed routes and do a route that’s more interesting by mtb. Arrivederci in Sicilia!

  2. Looks excellent and suitable for a few of my clubmembers. Can you tell me more about the inclination of the Sicilian hills? Average percentage, maximum percentage? And will there be enough time left for the cyclists to meet with the non-cyclists, in other words, how long does an average ride take on the days you are proposing?

    • Buongiorno Ad,

      Sure! There are lots of climbs with gradients up to 7% and a few with steeper stretches of 9-10%. There are no long, very steep climbs programmed. To give you some idea: the average of the short Segesta climb is 6.6%, the average of the Bosco di Alcamo climb is 7% and the average of the Carini climb is 4.8%.

      It’s hard to say how long an average ride takes. In many cases we can be back after lunch, but it all depends on the skills of the cyclists, the number of stops to enjoy and take pics of the scenery and to eat or drink something and the chosen route (for every programmed route there’s an alternative, shorter route with less climbing). Cyclists are also free to decide to skip a ride if they prefer to stay in the Borgo delle Olive or go out with their family/non cycling partners. Besides, during the rides there are also several possibilities to join up with family and non cycling partners (for instance on the ride to Erice, to Scopello, to Segesta, etc.).

      In short: there will be enough time for cyclists to spend with their partners/family.

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