Our first shakedown, day trip ride took us on a loop north of Catania along the coast and inland to the base of Etna. We climbed about 1000 meters over the 55 kms so a considerable effort right out of the gate. As usual the traffic getting out of any city like Catania was heavy and the drivers not overly patient. They make more use of their horns the further south you go in Italy so the noise is considerable. I have to adjust to that every year, by the end it won’t bother me much. The whole area is densely populated, we were never really out in the countryside. The area just north of Catania is called the Riviera dei Ciclopi named because of the black volcanic rocks jutting out of the ocean, supposedly thrown by a blinded Cyclops in an attempt to stop Odysseus from escaping. It’s an area full of beaches, bars, hotels and tourists. In Acicastello there was a crumbling Norman castle on the shore and in Acireale some cathedrals. We also saw a group of giant paper mache caricatures of the leaders who will be attending the upcoming G7 Summit in Taormina, just up the coast from here. We didn’t think the one of Trudeau looked much like him. Security is starting to be noticeable back in Catania so time for us to leave. We hadn’t heard there was to be a G7 in Sicily until last week so luckily it should not affect our plans.
geeteetravels 
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