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Published: October 12th 2015
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Sicily Day 3. On the road to Alcamo
Away at 9am after putting our bike bags into storage for two weeks. Down the narrow streets we went weaving our way to the coast and the harbour before making our way westwards following the coast for much of the day. We went in convoy, but not in one large group of 19, giving the traffic a chance to pass us. There should have been 21 but two of them have still not got their bikes, although they are at the airport now. The plan is for them to get their bikes built up in the morning before cycling in a straight line to the Hotel in Alcamo. We seemed to be in the built up area for quite a while before the roads became less busy, although they did not get any better as regards quality. There are many potholes and dips in the road with crumbling Tarmac so we had to fight to be the first on any good bits. I think that this is going to be the condition of the roads for the next two weeks. The roads in China are generally better and I think even Vietnam
may be due a higher rating. We passed a cement works just before s sigh post to Isola dell Feminine, which we translated to mean,"Isle of Women". Some were wanting to dash off there and never mind the touring bit. Sense prevailed and we carried On stopping for a brews do patisserie by the coast. Two coffees and two Danish pastries for 4 euros - bargain. We left the coast and headed south west for the rest of the day over various conditions of terrain. We had a system where Chris lead in the front and Mark acted as back marker, and we all know where he was all day. The human signpost system was in action where the person behind Chris would stay at a junction and point the way until the back marker appeared. This worked well until Gerry and Phil got in front of the leader and went the wrong way, only to find out a mile down the road and had to speed back to catch us up. The route was quite complicated and it was prudent to stay together. One of the riders struggled on the hills so in the afternoon he took a short
cut avoiding the hills, which made us think, 'well why are we doing them? ' we must be wired up wrongly. We stopped at a supermarket and bought food for a group picnic, bread, ham, cheese, tomatoes, chillier olives, peaches etc. We stopped at a most dreadful bit of grass on a hill with a good view but nowhere to sit and two rabid dogs lying on the road and eying us up for crumbs or a bite? The road was definitely lumpy and we went on some dirt roads that would make a mountain biker gulp. A few falls in the mud, with flesh and blood in tatters ( not me), later and we eventually arrived at the Grand Hotel in Alcamo. I had a worry during the day when my left crank started creaking. The bike has done less than 400 miles so the bottom bracket bearing should be ok, so maybe it was the crank loose. I got it quite tight when I rebuilt the bike and could feel no play so I borrowed a big Allen key with a piece of pipe and nudged it a bit tighter. We will see what happens tomorrow. Nice hotel
with great big room holding a double bed and a single with another pull-out. I was magnanimous an opted for the single. I am rooming with Mike tonight, has Gerry fallen out with me, or was Mike's partner complaining? We shall see. Meal at 8.30pm since it was going dark when we arrived at 6.40 and we needed time to get cleaned up and do the nightly washing of clothes.
The meal was very nice and consisted of three savoury courses; Swordfish and pasta, couscous and swordfish followed by swordfish and tomato. I feel like I have been stabbed to death. I shared a bottle of wine with Steve but I drank so slowly I only managed one glass before it disappeared without trace. Damn these Isle of Wighters. Bed beckoned at 23.59 just before I turned into a pumpkin, or was it a swordfish? Early start tomorrow, busy day.
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