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Posted by on Sep 27, 2013 in cycling and bike pics | 0 comments

A mountain bike ride to Monte Inici

A mountain bike ride to Monte Inici

It’s been a busy season and the free time I had, I spent riding my bike instead of writing about it. Last weekend Alessandro Ferrara from Bikes and Lemons in Palermo and I did a ride to Monte Inici near the town of Castellammare del Golfo and I made lots of pics so I thought it would be nice to share those with you guys. The ride started in the coastal town of Balestrate and from there we took the SS187 in the direction of Castellammare del Golfo. When we arrived in the town of Castellammare we turned left in the direction of Segesta and after a few kilometers we arrived at the road that leads to the entrance of the wood and the start of the climb. The dirt road in the wood starts to climb immediately, but after a few hairpins we arrived at an easy stretch which is almost flat for a few hundred meters. On the next photo you’ll see a water fountain. Keep in...

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Posted by on Jun 22, 2013 in cycling and bike pics | 0 comments

Exploring the Cinisi climb

Exploring the Cinisi climb

Even though I’ve ridden thousands of kilometers in this part of Sicily, every now and then I stumble across a road where I’ve never been, or a climb I’ve never done before. This was the case with a climb I found by using Strava. I had clicked on “Segment Search” and saw a few segments near the town of Cinisi. I’ve passed through Cinisi hundreds of times on my bike, but I didn’t know there was a climb starting near the town center and ending in a small “frazione” of Cinisi. So a few weeks ago I decided to cycle to Cinisi and explore this climb. I rode from Balestrate through the coastal town of Trappeto in the direction of Cinisi. It was a bit of a cloudy day, but with temperatures of around 29°C it felt like summer! I passed Terrasini, turned right and entered the town of Cinisi. The main street, the “Corso Umberto” leads to a few beautiful buildings, the town hall and the library: I...

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Posted by on Jun 13, 2013 in cycling and bike pics | 0 comments

Today’s bike ride near Lago Poma

Today’s bike ride near Lago Poma

Today I had a low HR zone planned, so I decided to go for a bike ride in the area near Lago Poma (an artificial lake that’s used for irrigation purposes in the summer) and take lots of pictures. I started in Balestrate and went in the direction of Partinico, where I took the SP2, a provincial road that goes in the direction of San Ciperello. After a few kilometers I saw Lago Poma on my right: I followed this hilly road until I had the possibility to go right in the direction of the towns of Grisì and Camporeale. After crossing the bridge I started to climb and took some pictures of the area: At the fork in the road I went into the direction of Camporeale. After a few hundred meters I had a great view of the hilly landscape with lots of vineyards: On the way to Camporeale I passed some ruins of an old farm house and church. I rode through the vineyards to the...

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Posted by on Jun 10, 2013 in bikes, gear and gadgets, training | 2 comments

Teaser training video: cycling in Sicily, riding with Don Bici

Teaser training video: cycling in Sicily, riding with Don Bici

The RLV Sicily – Don Bici is now available! Buy it here. I’ve been tweeting about Jaap Wagenvoort gfe (GoPro filmmaker extraordinaire 🙂 ) and myself filming in Sicily for the upcoming (Tacx compatible) Real Life Videos. We are working on the following titles: Bike ride to the medieval town of Erice (*) The Bosco di Alcamo climb Riding with Don Bici (*) Shorter versions, to the temple of Segesta or the Garibaldi monument at Pianto Romano, will also be available. In the RLV “Riding with Don Bici” we’ll be taking you on a ride through the towns of Balestrate and Trappeto to the climb of Carini and the descent at Montelepre. After this warming up ride with me, I’ll leave you to finish the ride on your own. Expect a lovely climb to the Santuario di Romitello and the antenna on the top of the mountain (highest gradient 15%). The first part including the climb at Carini and the descent at Montelepre is a route I take most of...

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Posted by on Jun 7, 2013 in cycling and bike pics | 0 comments

A photo op with the Carabinieri

A photo op with the Carabinieri

I did a short bike ride today and was on my way back home when I saw a couple of Carabinieri near the town of Trappeto. One of them had just stopped a car and was talking to the driver, while the other was just standing next to their car, looking like a real bad-ass with his black leather boots and impressive uniform (something like this). The car the carabinieri use is black with red stripes and has a white logo, just like my Ridley Helium SL. I slowed down and approached the carabiniere standing next to the car: “Good afternoon sir, maybe a strange question, but is it okay if I take a picture of my bike and your car?” -“No, I’m sorry, that’s not allowed.” “No problem, it’s just that the color schemes are similar, which would make for a nice photo. Anyway, sorry to bother you, have a nice day!” -“Hang on! Please wait until we send that lady over there on her way.” I waited...

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