Route Map

People have been asking which route we took. Here is a map which shows our overnight stops. 

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.