La Bella 2017 : Stage 7 Nicolosi - Taormina /Letojanni

Miles From Nowhere I guess I'll take my time, to reach there

Look up at the mountain I have to climb................

Mt Etna Adriano Plateau in centre

This region of Sicily (Naxos) is the most ancient of all the Greek colonies and dates back to735 BC. The Greeks greatly influenced Italian culture. This can be found in their temples, coinage, weights and measures etc. They also influenced Roman trade, banking, art, literature, philosophy etc.

Lava Flows on the lower slopes

Ross unable to join us today as his injuries are too painful. He had quite a few stitches. When he entered the emergency dept he was No 5 in line, 3 hrs later he was No 7. Ross is fluent in Italian and was amused by all the inpatients writhing in agony calling on JC and all the saints names in order to be seen sooner. One of the nurses also asked if he was one of the Giro riders. Maybe that is why he was bumped down the queue when he said no.

As far as you can go by road Mt Etna

We left the camp at 8.00 pm to tackle Mt Etna fro the south east side of the mountain. Nicolosi sits at 780 mtrs, another beautiful day for climbing. As we pushed towards 1000 mtr the air was cooling, and the higher we climbed the wind picked up. The lower part of the mountain was steep mainly in the 7-10% range., The black volcanic lava flows are all around, houses and buildings abandoned over the years as successive eruptions over time have taken their toll and pushed everything away within it's path.
Today we take the same route as the Giro the day before. A small sign of life within the black lava flows as a flower or shrub stands isolated and new life begins. Up & up to 2000 mtr and once we reach the maximum height on the road the air is cold and windy, 12 deg C. Large groups of tourists and school excursions fill the mountain scape. A chair lift will take you to 2700 mts, and Etna tops out at 3340 mtr, smoke rising from the Caldera.
On the ocean side of the mountain we were shrouded in cloud the descent was very cold and the road surface extremely rough. All the routes that the Giro was racing on was newly laid tarmac.

Mazzaro

As we hit the coast and fall below 800 mtr the air is warm again and places like Mazzaro are around most corners as we traverse the cliff tops, Wow!! Stunning riding, can't help but stop take photos and admire the scenery.

Naxos

Arrived in Letojanni, our campsite right on the beach. An unusual aspect of finishing the day's ride is a hot soup on arrival along with breads drinks and fruit. I would never have thought hot soup on hot day would go together, but I have to say very enjoyable and welcome.

Head out to watch the Giro on the roadside, it passes right past our campsite.

Garry and Martin get comfortable for the race

The view from Claudio's Restorante

A hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer and the best cold Bierra is Messina
Paul enjoying a refreshing ale at Claudio (Cloudeeo) Restorante

Claudio was watching the race and was very excited for us to join him as he provided cheese and nibbles to go with the drinks.

We said we will be back tomorrow for tea.
His eyes light up. Claudio born in Sicily tells us he opens only in the summer season and has to find other work out of season, sometimes on the mainland of Italy. We had heard this familiar story whilst in Sicily.