My favourite rides 2019 - part 3

My personal vacation this year brought me to the Northern part of Cyprus. While the Greek part of Cyprus is well known for mountain- and road biking, there is not much cycling going in the Northern part, well at least not in November. Which is surprising, we loved cycling there. Beautiful roads with very few cars. Rolling countryside with quiet villages. We had great bikes which we had rented from a local bike rental in Famagusta which were great - Trek Hybrids, perfect for bike-touring.

Before we started cycling, we had a look around Famagusta. 

Lala Mustafa Pascha-Mosque, former Sant Nicolas-Cathedral

We 💗 MEZE!

View from our room to the Mosque - which guaranteed our 5AM wake up call

 Cycling day 1: Famagusta (Gazimağusa) - Salamis ruins - along the coast to Boğaz - through the countryside to Kumyalı. 

Last preparations before the start!

Headless statues at antique Salamis

Traffic jam

Where do we go?

Cycling day 2: Kumyalı - Dipkarpaz - Aghios Filion

Cycling day 3: Dipkarpaz - Yeni Erenköy - Bogaz

Cycling day 4: Boğaz - Famagusta (Gazimağusa)

Sunrise in Boğaz 

Saint Mamas - protector of accountants and tax evadors!

My favourite rides 2019 - part 2

Cycling in my backyard

Over the summer it can get seriously hot in Sicily, so if you want to cycle you should get up early. You can cycle during the day, there is always a little breeze and with enough water the heat is manageable, but it is far more pleasant in the fresh air of the morning. So I set my alarm clock for 5.30 AM to be out on my bike not later than 6 AM.

Once you are out of town, the hinterland of Siracusa offers some truly great rides with nice climbs and fast descents. And there is almost no traffic. Quite likely, on a Sunday morning, you will meet more cyclists than cars!

Can you spot Mt. Etna? 

Fusco climb to Sortino

Anapo River

my vintage bike (don't worry, not one of the rentals)

My favourite rides 2019 - part 1

West Sicily, April 2019

Mazara del Vallo

Probably my favorite ride this year was an inspection trip for a new tour. In fast-forward mode I cycled the tour I would later cycle again in a slower pace with my guests. I knew all the places before, but I had never cycled in that area. It is a completely different experience by bike as we all know. And I truly enjoyed the time on my own. I could decide the pace and timing. Overcame my fear of stray dogs and mechanical problems. But the god of flats was very kind with me! Eolos on the other hand, not so much. 

Erice, quartiere spagnolo

Erice

Kouros, Museum Mozia

Salt Museum near Trapani

Cave di Cusa

Segesta

Zingaro Nature Reserve

Salt Pans near Trapani

Dancing Satyr, Mazara del Vallo

Just a typical February Sunday in Siracusa

Winter in Sicily - Part 3. In February the days are getting noticeably longer. The sun is also warmer. The Almond blossom is almost over, now the fields are full with bright yellow wild flowers. Only a few more weeks before the season starts. 

Winter in Sicily - part two

When all Europe is still covered in snow and ice, in Sicily it is already spring. Now is the time to harvest the last oranges. 

Winter in Sicily

During the winter months we get to do the best part of our job: scouting - we check out new routes, visit new hotels. 

Randazzo - Etna

Try restaurants we can recommend our guests. 

Winter is low season, so everything is much calmer. People have time for a chat. 

We can take it much easier than during the hectic high season months. And just stop, watch the sheep and have a look at this fabulous sky!