Job done!

I've actually been a bit slow to post this final blog, but yesterday after 15 days of cycling (88 hours and 57 minutes to be precise) we reached our final destination of the southern tip of Sicily; 1882km from our start point.

Good job really because some of the bikes were beginning to play up and were in need of repair - not least Ben's bike which had a buckled back wheel, was losing spokes hourly, and just 1110 meters from the end had a puncture and shed its tyre!! Well these things never happen smoothly.

The main bulk of Sicily was actually quiet hard going, with smaller busier roads, cobbled streets in the towns and quite hilly around Mount Etna (perhaps unsurprisingly!). Fortunately our final day was a brief 65km along  flat smooth roads amongst the lemon groves - a nice way to finish.

The only thing to do now is to have a few beers, maybe an ice cream or two and enjoy the sunshine.

On a separate note, I would like to thank everyone who supported the trip, both by enabling me to disappear for three weeks, as well as those who sponsored the effort. To date it has raised well over £1000 for the Disabilities Trust. Of course if you would still like to donate it is never too late, the link for which should be below.

Looking forward to seeing everyone back in sunny England soon!

Thanks.

Ross.

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Mainland; done.

About midday today we were coasting down from the last significant hill climb we need to do when we were greeted by a welcome sight; Sicily baked in sunlight! It marks 13 days of toiling through lush alpine mountains, splendid coastline, scorched countryside, and a exhausting spell in the southern mountains.

Yesterday we completed our largest hill climb to date; scaling a mountain just outside Cosenza, where we had stayed the night, which passes through the 1050 meter mark at its tip - around the same height as Snowdon. We then dropped immediately down to sea level over the course of a few kilometers (which means it was a pretty rapid decent!) - and all before breakfast!

The day ended in Vido Valencia following another 500 meter climb from sea level.

This morning we zipped our way down the coastline for 83km to catch the ferry to Sicily - which is where I'm writing this.

The water is crystal clear and blue. Just a couple more days until I can have a long awaited dip!!

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Jealousy of lime trees

I'll be honest, it took a lot of will power to drag myself from bed this morning. The idea of getting on a saddle and cycling 130km just seemed like a ridiculous idea given yesterday's efforts.

Yesterday was without a doubt the hardest day so far, and I'll bet there isn't one as hard again (or at least I hope). Perhaps it was because I wasn't feeling 100%. We had just had a rest day and I probably had not eaten enough carbs and taken on enough (non-alcoholic) fluids, but from the word go I was lagging.

For 143km we went up and down mountainous terrain in desperately hot conditions for over 8 hours. I got through around 6 litres of fluids. At lunch we had already completed 90km, and temperatures peaked at 36 degrees.

Now I usually enjoy mountain scenery. I enjoy climbing mountains; but I have never appreciated mountains less. The rock in the canyons acts as a convector and bakes anything in it - us. Which is why I couldn't understand how these lime trees were so fresh, green and lush! Where were those gittish trees getting their water from? We found out just after lunch- massive sprinkler systems across the entire area. For twenty minutes we stood by the road under the stray sprays...amazing!! Absolute highlight of the cycle!

The day ended by pushing on to Oriolo. We finished the day doing a 900 meter climb (at its highest point) and a couple of 300 meter climbs (exhausting). Our accommodation was a really great bed and breakfast; simple stone walls and floors kept it cool, and we ate a traditional four (!) course meal, then collapsed into bed. Views for breakfast were fantastic looking out over the valley.

Fortunately the 130km today, although again desperately hot and dry, was flat and only took 5 hours 28 minutes. Job done!

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Matera

Since the last update, we have cycled down to Matera which is a comparatively big city compared to some of the places we have visited.

We have had a few bike problems on the way (I tore a hole in my rear tire on the way) so we have decided to take a rest day today. Which means once we sorted the bikes etc out we had a day to be proper tourists!!

The main attraction in Matera is the Citta dei Sassi, which is the ancient part of town. It is difficult to describe, but is spectacular the way in that it seems to be carved out of the rock face. It is such a old town that it was used as the back drop to Mel Gibson's 'Passion of the Christ'. A nice place to explore on our first off day.

In terms of progress we have covered 1200km now with about 600km to go. We should arrive (everything going to plan) in Sicily on Saturday, and cycle down the coast of Sicily on Sunday and Monday - Six days of cycling; seems almost in reach!

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The home stretch...

Well that might be a bit of wishful thinking, but are comfortably over half way and feeling good. Even passed the 1000km mark.

We left the Adriatic coast today, heading down towards the "toe" of Italy. The landscape has changed to virtually desert landscape; we literally didn't pass through any towns today for 100km or more.

Italy is one of the few countries in the world that has the poverty line running through the middle of it, separating first and second world. As we passed over it it's clear the arid landscape has much to do with this. The only true industry is agriculture, where there are small pockets of wealth. Interestingly, a significant minority in the north of Italy consider the south to be part of Africa, and would like to see the two independent. Their view is that Garibauldi didn't unite Italy, but divided Africa. Given the sudden change in wealth and landscape, you can start to see why.

However, we fortunately have stumbled upon a decent motel just outside Orta Nova, and have just had a swim in their pool. So not too bad really!!

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The Adriatic Coast and the adventures of the not-so-famous five!

The last couple of days have been a change of scenery. Gone are the days of slogging it out on sedate country roads; the Adriatic coastline is straight down fast roads (except for the towns dotted along the way) and sandy beaches.

We have stayed in Rimini, Sirolo, and we are now in Pineto. Each slightly different - Rimini is the surfers paradise of the coast, all clubs, bars, and hotels (although we stayed in a campsite!); Sirolo is a nice place, quiet and well kept; and Pineto is more traditional.

Yesterday was an interesting one! After losing track of each other in Rimini, we spent the morning trying to contact each other on the phones - only we didn't have the right numbers; so in the interest of actually progressing we pushed on in two separate groups until we eventually made contact via facebook and met up 50 km down the road.

There was some sort of lesson to be learnt there - but I haven't worked it out yet! Either way, it meant it was 9 in the evening by the time we got to our destination - so we had to drink our wine and beers quickly (that is possibly the lesson; don't faff around in the day or you'll have to rush your beers in the evening- and no one likes that!) . 

Today was a shorter day, pressed on down the coast. The temperature is steadily creeping up, hit 38 degrees just before we stopped for lunch. Swim in the sea sorts that out! B.E.A.Utifal!!!

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The heat is on!

Since the last update, things have got a tad warm, peaking at around 36 degrees over the lunch period; but we have continued our steady progress and are currently in Portomaggiore. The morning was a good session, 75Km before lunch. The afternoon was much harder, being hotter, with worse roads resulting in several punctures. Hopefully today will be a smoother ride!

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On the road...sort of.

The journey is underway! We set of yesterday at around 8am from Brunico in the very north east of Italy. Some people may not know that in fact this area of italy used to be part of Austria until it was given to Italy after the first world war. Mussolini subsequently set about making the towns sound more Italian. So, for example, Brunico was once (and still is) Bruneck. The interesting thing is they still speak German there.

Now I have shared that nugget of info, a bit about the trip. Yesterday was essentially our longest day, covering 156 km, and taking us up to Trento. This was made far simpler by the fact that the Italians have converted an old railway line that runs alongside the river into a massive long cycle path. Although a slightly longer route than the roads, this is good for two reasons; firstly, there is no traffic to deal with; secondly, despite the mountainous terrain, following the river means that you are essentially on a (very gentle) downhill virtually the entire way! As Alan Partridge would say; "cashback!".

Irrespective of the downhill, it was a long day, and following a hearty meal, we hit the hay for the night.

Today has been much harder. Hotter, dryer roads, and we have encountered our first hill climbs. Just stopped for a spot of lunch, before the final 40km of the day (80 km done so far - works up an appetite) to take us to St Giovanni nr Verona.

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On our way...

Our initial concerns about getting our bikes on the plane and off again unscathed with only plastic bags for protection have thankfully passed without incident!

We are currently travelling from Innsbruck in Austria down into Italy. Innsbruck is a town surrounded by the Alps. As you step off the plane it feels like a giant stadium of mountains  - very impressive stuff, even in the slightly dreary weather overhead!

We now have about 3 hours on the train - winding through green valleys of trees and rivers, a stark contrast to the suburbs around the south-east of England! Mind you, if the scenery outside is different, its comforting to know that some things are universal...sharing our journey is a familiar group of drunk teenagers; causing trouble but without doing anything 'wrong' - as only drunk teenagers can. Great. Only 2 hours 56 minutes to go; "when do we get into Clapham Junction?".

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Five weeks to go!!

Well I have to be honest, despite my good intentions this blog has been on the back-burner in favour of more pressing requirements for the trip - i.e. sorting out the necessary kit, as well as actually training a bit!

So...

we had a planning meeting back in April where we finalised much of the route and logistical details. The agreed approach is to follow a route down the flatter east coast of Italy, before cutting through to the 'toe' and crossing to Sicily. Google maps came into its own showing us photo's of roads as well as the general terrain...wonders of technology!

Then...

Last week we had a training day in the New Forest (See profile picture!) - good mileage was completed, but it wasn't all fun...a good pub lunch was an absolute necessity - cycling is an energetic business.

Now...

We are feverishly sourcing all the necessary kit and completing all the admin requirements! Not so long now......

How it all started...

I'm a jealous sort really. I don't like others to be having all the fun without me...is that so bad to say? You might think it is a bit childish and signifies some sort of deep down insecurity that I don't like others being in the spotlight. Well....I don't think that's it...(at least if it is, it is sufficiently deep down that I'm not aware of it). The fact is, sometimes an idea or challenge grabs me where not giving it a go is not really an option; to not do it would be to miss a unique opportunity. Well that is where this trip has left me.

The idea is a simple one (and before I go on, I must add that it wasn't mine. That credit must go to my friend Ben who along with the others will be part of the group completing the trip), cycle from the most northern point of Italy to the most southern point of Sicily. Well that is simple enough. So why did it catch my imagination?

Well there are a number of reasons. The first is pretty obvious. I definitely cannot complain about my job, I work in a successful law firm and enjoy it, but there is no getting away from the fact that I like a good adventure; I enjoy the solitude of the outdoors and travelling - not criteria my job meets i'm afraid. So to get the chance to spend three weeks on the road travelling through Italy was as they say a 'no brainer'.

The second is equally as straightforward. People who know me, know that I like a challenge, and if others are doing it...well...I'm in. It's not that I would jump of a cliff if others are doing it, but if there is a challenge out there worth doing, then I want to give it a go. I'm not going to pretend that 'T2T' (my new fancy acronym for 'Tip to Toe') is comparable to swimming the channel or climbing K2 - lets face it, there is definitely a 'leisurely' element to this trip - its not going to be easy either (something that anyone who has got on a race bike and cycled any sort of a distance more than one day in a row will know all to well!...and probably will have had the bruised 'sensitives' to boot!) - but I don't believe many people would actually go and do it.

So when the trip was mentioned to me, I had no option to to opt-in. Thankfully my law firm has kindly given me the time off to do the trip. So with that sorted, we are now in the planning stages. Over the next few months I will be updating this blog with our progress organising the trip (as well as providing details of the other important element - the very worthwhile charity that I hope to raise money for). The plan is to then have daily updates while on the road, so that for those interested, they can follow us online.

It would be fantastic to get a number of people supporting this effort, not least because I will be raising money for a really great cause - which once I have discussed the technicalities with my contact, I will add a piece on. Therefore please follow this blog, tell your friends about it, and get in touch with me...it would be great to hear from you.