Now I tell my my C2C. For some time I had heard the previous edition and found it very interesting, I wanted to do something like it too, but I was very hesitant, I was convinced that I would not be fit enough to participate. One day while he climbed a mountain with Giò there was the turning point, at my request if he had participated in this year I responded positively, so I asked for his opinion if I would be able Gio and I said, 'c' You can do it. " At that moment I decided to participate.
Building on the involvement of my power, my friend also reclutai Nino, so all three of us began to settle the bike, the need to procure and train a little 'waiting for the day of departure. The small group has added Michele (aka Muhl), which had participated the previous edition has advised us for the best from his experience.
The first day we start early, at eight o'clock you must be running, so we decide to leave the night before and sleep in a tent in San Leone. We arrive in time to eat pizza with Franco (the organizer) and other participants also came to them the night before.
Finally we leave, all complete with bike and cleaned before the handlebars placed a beautiful plaque that identifies us with the text name and city of origin, a small briefing, the usual photo and away towards the valley of the temples. Start your trip to Palermo.
almost immediately we meet with one of the biggest problems that will accompany us until the end, very hot weather. We also touched the 45 degrees, it was really hot especially in the middle of the day. During the first stage we also had the opportunity to visit the reserve of Macalube of Aragon, very interesting.
Another feature of this "tour" that I have made account even now, was the almost total lack of plains. Climbs and descents in continuous succession, at the end we have accumulated almost 5000 meters of ascent. A word that I echo all the way was "brow." Whenever asked about the destination, someone raised his finger up to indicate one of the many mountains over the pass, saying that it was necessary there.
We passed through valleys, lakes and interesting countries, some have shown their hospitality. Sant'Angelo Muxaro offered us lunch and a bar in Santa Cristina Gela instead offered us the delicious cannoli. We also crossed Palazzo Adriano with its beautiful square, remember where it was shot on film "Cinema Paradiso" by Tornatore.
normally the evening I was exhausted, but happy to have cycled and reached the goal. Two nights we had dinner and slept in hotels, one near Santo Stefano di Quisquina located 900 meters above sea level and another in the woods Ficuzza always around that level. One evening we instead placed in a visitors center provided by the Forest Service. It 'was my favorite night, I washed in a pond fed by a spring, we had dinner with local produce and bratwurst, and then I slept in tents under a starry sky that only the Valley Sosio could offer.
I also really enjoyed the curiosity which sprang our passage to the people we met, wanted to know where we came from, where we went, and sometimes even asked me why. It 'was the most difficult question, I do not know the answer, but one thing I know, I would like to redo.
I met many people and I've been with them four days, somehow or other topics of conversation were always the same, hiking and mountain bike races. I have not heard a lot of wives, children, occupation or hobby, I've only heard stories of companies discussed or planned bike trip and now imagine doing it myself. Some of them I envied someone else, I hated the places visited (and I will not) and others I tried just a great sympathy.
Absolutely the most beautiful stage was the fourth or the last. We walked 92 km, floating around 800 meters and then nosedive toward the final goal.
We left early from the forest Ficuzza (hunting lodge of King Ferdinand) where we had spent the night heading towards the lake of Piana, we then headed Portella della Ginestra, sad place famous for the massacre carried out by the bandit Giuliano. Here we took a dirt road that led us to the country of Giacalone, there I am talking about because in my opinion was the most panoramic point of the whole trip. This is the Jato valley, I was impressed, so I decided to be a destination for future trips.
Soon after the descent, we came to Poplar where he started the climb again towards the forest Casaboli, again stunning views towards the Golden basin, the cradle where lies Palermo and its suburbs , we arrive at the top and descend towards San Martino delle Scale, a place where "eventually" we stop for lunch.
had finished eating we prepare for the final rush, when I was in the area I make two calculations and realized that I expect another two climbs, the ascent to Mount Cucco and the ascent to Mount Manolfo. Despite the fatigue of 60 km existing routes, I was eager to leave, already felt the thrill of arrival, I thought the friends who were waiting for us, believe me, the fatigue was gone.
At the top of Monte Manolfo Nino who knows the place he says: "take your feet off the pedals, and now all downhill to Mondello." At that moment I half-closed eyes for a moment and thought: "Bravo Peppino, you made a little dream." The rest is just excitement, hugs and tears at the beach of Palermo.
In this post I do not add or GPS tracks or altitudes. The first because I feel useless, if you want to travel the same route you should not do it alone, but by participating in the next edition of Coast2Coast, the latter is better because you know what awaits you.
Bye ..
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| C2C |
