The planning for the Sicily bike ride for May 2009 is progressing and this truly is a trip of a lifetime . It will also be one of the hardest rides we have attempted amongst scenery that is totally unique . If you want to do the ride you will need to pay for your flights up front and raise at least £ 1200 sterling  which will include the costs of the trip and  donation to the charity. We will fly to Catania and will visit Mt Etna.  Deadline for tour Oct 2008.  Details.

Its been suggested that as a group we organise a number of events such as a quiz night ,disco ,wine tasting etc which will ease the burden of the sponsorship.  Mike - Contact  : +44 (0) 7889 189 267  

After arriving in Pisa we took the coach to Florence and had a welcome meal together and a short walk around Florence with some enjoyed the nightlife returning back to the hotel in time for breakfast and the start of the cycling.

We cycled in the pouring rain past hidden villas, monasteries and medieval hilltop villages. After lunch we passed through Radda the historic capital of Chianti and one of its highest and most impressive towns. There were ruined fortification walls, sculpted fountains, armorial gateways, and curving lanes leading to the central piazza Ferrucci, with its imposing Palazzo del Podesta. 

After breakfast we’re back on our bikes cycling out of Radda towards Asciano.  We continue our cycling towards Siena. The landscapes south and east of Siena are among the most classic and beautiful in the region. Undulating green hills capped by medieval, tile-roofed towns and punctuated by cypresses, churches and stone farmhouses. After a challenging day we arrive to our overnight stop in Asciano, wet and wild.

Today we will see some changeon the way to Pienza, one of the region’s architectural centerpieces and where The English Patient was filmed! We’ll ride through a couple of villages that time has forgotten, importantly, the roads we cycle on will still be quiet. It’s likely we’ll take lunch at Montalcino and have the opportunity for some wine tasting! Montalcino has an Abbey, Sant'Antimo; a notable example of Romanesque architecture. After lunch we continue to San Quirico d’Orcia, another fine example of the historic importance of this region of Italy. 

On this, our last cycling day, the first stretch of the road is very hilly as we make our way to Montepulciano. It is said that no visit to southern Tuscany would be complete without a visit to Montepulciano, the highest of the hill towns and filled with glorious Renaissance buildings. It is here that we will have lunch. If there’s time, we can discover hidden squares, Renaissance palaces and churches as well as enjoy the superb views over the Val di Chiana. After lunch we cross into the province of Umbria, known as the "Green Heart" of Italy and either side of our route we will see vineyard clad valleys and hillsides covered with olive trees and ancient walled cities. From here its plain sailing to our final destination, the shores of Lago Trasimeno, let your wheels do the work on our way downhill to the valley floor! Here we will enjoy our celebratory meal!