Goodbye Italy

Etna, one of the world's largest active volcanoes at 3300 meters high, as we take off from Catania.

Bikes wrapped in plastic

It's all over. Heading home...

The Canana Nabana Bar

We found a dusty old track and to our great fortune we stumbled upon a wonderful bar serving ice cold beer right at the point we were aiming for, where the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas meet. We could go no further

2km to go

After peddling nearly 2000km it was a very strange feeling to be cycling through masses of abandoned greenhouses, seeking out the southern tip of Italy. Again, it was over 35 degrees and we were further south than Tunis and a few hundred miles from Libya. A long way from the Alps 18 days earlier.

Day 17: Syracuse

Preparing for the cut throat while the team look on.

Day 17: Not so Scenic Sicily

A day of litter, grey skies, high humidity, mad driving, poor roads and oil refineries made for a tough ride. We cycled fast and got it done by 2pm. Now in Syracuse with a short ride to the finish tomorrow. We're all feeling emotionally quite drained although physically in good shape.

1100 miles completed!

The end is in sight. Beautiful views as we head south.

Day 16: Sicily: The Sea's on our left for a change

Day 16: Magnum Classics for Lunch

Waiting for the ferry

Jeroen entertaining Gybe with tales of marlin fishing.

Day 16: The last Few Miles before Sicily

Heading for the ferry, just 12 miles...

Day 15: lunch after 65 miles

We were shattered at this point. Very hot and only rubbish food available in a very deprived area.

Back in Litter Land

We hit another horrible stretch again today. Clearly, there have no rubbish collections for many months.

This was my view for 5 hours today

Jeroen looking pretty cool....

Day 15: The evening scene in Bagnara Calabra

Our view as we enjoy a G&T....

Day 15: Our first sight of Sicily

80 miles done and we were rewarded with our first sight of Sicily as we reached the end of the ride.

Day 15: A Fast Start

Gybe heading south on our last full day on the Italian mainland. Flat coastal ride - we had covered 32 miles by 10:30.

Day 14: Fast progress, and then...

Realising we had only 55 coastal miles today we set off at top speed with an aim to finish by 12:30. We are quite fit now and working as a team and taking turns at the front we can cycle at 20mph for hours on end on the flat.

Then one of Jeroen's rear spokes broke. Peter's running repair kept us on the road until we found a bike shop. The guys there quickly sorted us out, refusing to take payment. We have found the Italians to be a lovely, warm hearted, open and friendly people.

And now a rest afternoon before our final full day on the Italian mainland tomorrow, and then a ride across Sicily to the finish.

Heading for Diamante

The coastline and weather this morning were stunning. We cycled an undulating road for 65 miles today with four hard climbs. There was a "wow" around every bend.

Monday morning blues

Looking back

A few hours later looking back towards yesterday's 100 mile ride.

Day 13: The Road Ahead

With our mountainous detour out of the way we are heading south again. We need to follow the coastline in the distance for the next few days.

Day 13: The Wheels are Back on the Bus

After thinking last night there was no way south because our intended route was in fact a motorway, we have now discovered that the motorway turns into an A road in 20 miles. So all we have to do is a mountainous detour at first them we should be okay. Enjoyed our first lay-in today and here we are having breakfast with Boggo. We are at a gorgeous B&B run by delightful hosts in San Severino, a little village, surrounded by mountains.

Beehives - Where's Gybe?

Jeroen in Action

Amalfi Coast

The Four Fossils

Day 12: Gybe's Birthday

Our original planned 80 miles was abandoned when the road we intended to take had turned into a bike-free motorway. This caused a 20 mile detour which took us into cyclist's heaven. We cycled through the most incredibly beautiful coastal national park. We eventually arrived at 720pm just before dark. We are now in a wonderful family run hotel at a compete dead end. The fossils have hit the buffers. It seems that the route down the west coast of Italy doesn't permit bikes. We celebrated Gybe's birthday and agreed not to talk about tomorrow ....

For the cycle geeks: 98 miles, 7500 calories burned, 12mph, 8500 feet climbed.

Day 12: Beach Stop

After a few hours of fast progress Peter insisted we stop for a swim. We had just had our second crash when Jeroen ran into the back of Mark. Nothing more than a broken pannier thank goodness.

Day 12: Fast progress Heading South

Amalfi Coast

Just after we set off at 8am

Day 12: Dawn Breaking over Amalfi

I couldn't sleep. I took this photo at 545 from the balcony of our hotel room.

Techno

Thankfully it's doesn't read this too often

Navigation

If technology fails it's back to basics

The Red Barron

He knows his onions

Day 11: Nearing our destination

The bad weather seems to be behind us as we approach Amalfi. Our second "half day" today - we're all looking forward to a leisurely afternoon before our most challenging day of the journey tomorrow.

The Amalfi Coast

What a reward for a hard morning's climbing. Pete takes in the breathtaking view

Day 11: Starting a 3000 foot climb over the Amalfi Peninsular

Day 11: Leaving Naples and Vesuvius Behind

Last erupted in 1944 although well known for destroying PompeiI 2000 years ago. An awesome sight.

The Onion Man

He just loved having his photo taken.

Day 11: Preparing to leave Naples

We stayed in the heart of the medieval old city. A very lively night outside with firecrackers etc. at 3am.

Team Fossil entering Naples

Another 70 miles today in difficult conditions. First impressions....What a city!

Scenic highlights: extreme litter, pimps and hookers

About 50 miles north of Naples we went through a pretty horrific stretch for about 25 miles. Hard to believe we were in a European country, a menacing atmosphere, joblessness, destitution, the feeling of a broken society and lawlessness. We went into overdrive and got through it as quickly as we could.

Day 10: Storms Ahead

Day 10: Early morning heading for Naples

Tunnels galore!

End of Day 9

Great to be cruising down the coast with the sun out again.

Day 9: Half Way!

We reach the sea and Peter shows off his newly purchased mankini. They're all the rage here and we all just love wearing them.

The weather improves and we cover a very fast 70 miles today riding as a team at 17mph.

620 miles done and half our days used up, so we are right on track to make our flight out of Sicily.

Day 9: Tricky Conditions

Later in the day I (Mark) ran into the back of Peter and broke his pannier bracket. A minor accident luckily.

Day 9: Function, not Fashion

About to cycle into the rain

Day 9: A Change in the Weather

After 8 days of very hot sun we had a huge thunderstorm overnight and woke to rain and stormy skies.