Grammichele to Piazza Armerina

April 6, 2023

Once again, we started our day with breakfast at a local cafe, this one owned by the father of the brothers. The pistachio brioches were very good, but not quite up to yesterday’s very high standard.

Pistachio brioche and cappuccino. Typical Italian breakfast but needs to be doubled or supplemented for cyclists.

The earthquake struck on 11 January but the city of Grammichele was founded only 3 months later.

It wasn’t that far to Caltagirone but our route seemed popular with stinky-diesel-exhaust-spewing trucks and cars. Dusty, too; we went past at least one cement plant and perhaps a sand and gravel business as well. Caltagirone looked much better once we reached the historic centre, but we didn’t really stop.

We were both attracted to this sculpture

The ride was beautiful after we got out of town. SP 48 was very pleasant but things got interesting on SP 216.

On SP 16 here, this section had a good surface.

A little while later, it looked like this. Still rideable, though.

Al took this, looking back and waiting for me. I’m coming along at my own speed.

I remember riding past this lonely poppy in the middle of the road!

Do we really need to go around the bridge? We’re on bikes.

Nope! We can stay on the “road”. Only half the bridge is missing.

Funny. There wasn’t a sign like this at the other end. Whether we’d have paid attention if there had been…

We actually enjoyed the bad road, even the parts that were too rough to ride.

Truly beautiful views and no traffic at all.

These horses came to greet us near Mirabella Imbaccari

It was a climb up to Piazza Armerina, especially challenging for me because now I had a full-blown cold. I guess the chill yesterday reduced my immune system.

Our accommodation, B&B l’Angelica, had contacted us and asked if we wanted to have their evening meal. Of course! we’d replied.

Looking for the B&B, we saw this helpful banner. As it turned out, that was our room, with the banner attached to the balcony railing.

The entrance is in a very narrow street. Too narrow for cars.

I stepped out on the balcony to get this photo but it was too cold to stay out there.

Our hosts, Ettore and Ines, speak little to no English but are incredibly friendly. Ettore took us to the little lock-up he has (below the entrance to one of Piazza Armerina’s many churches and our bikes were secure for the night.

It turns out he’s a retired chef; his restaurants didn’t survive Covid. But we benefited because now he cooks for the B&B guests. He has a tiny kitchen and dining area that seats 12 directly across the narrow street from the B&B. A multi-course dinner accompanied by his own wine for 35€ per person. Lots of food—he offered seconds of everything. The limoncello digestif was needed!

Antipasto #1: toast with mozzarella and mushrooms, spinach frittata

The pasta: spaghetti with pancetta and tomato sauce

The secondi: meatballs. I had 2, I think Al had 5.

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Margie AndersonThat was quite the bike route! Well done!! M.
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11 months ago

Today's ride: 61 km (38 miles)
Total: 895 km (556 miles)

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Scott AndersonSorry to hear about your cold, Jacquie. Hopefully it improves before you climb up to Enna.
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1 year ago

Jacquie GaudetTo Scott AndersonAl’s got it now but we have a few days yet before Etna. That may be off the itinerary in any case due to the current cold snap. We shall see; weather can change rapidly.
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1 year ago

Rachael AndersonTo Jacquie GaudetSorry about your cold and sorry to hear Al caught it! It’s gotten colder where we are also.
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1 year ago

Jacquie GaudetOur host here in Enna said it was quite warm until about a week ago and now it’s unseasonably cold. The forecast shows higher temperatures later this week. We’ve been using our down jackets every day (off the bike).
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1 year ago