Author: Sid

In which Sid and Doris do purist riding to seek out Neolithic era buildings and a hotel up an overly beaten track.From Palau we were going to the very north of Sardinia at Santa Teresa Gallura before turning West, South West toward Porto Torres. So as not to use the same road twice which Doris hates, Doris plotted a route…

In which Sid and Doris set out again and have a High Paw day, back on the road again along the swanky Costa SmereldaSid and Doris said goodbye to England-on-the-Med to start the three day ride to Porto Torres. When we took the bikes out on Thursday to check them over we were not much enthused. This morning we set…

In which Sid and Doris rest up for more cycling later at a Nielson’s beach clubThanks to Frostie, manager at Baia Dei Mori, we were in on Friday and already at play on the Saturday, while most of the guests were having their last day out of The Manager Box (or however they think about their work).   A fellow…

In which Sid and Doris ride away to holiday land, Neilson at Baia di Mori on Sardinia (you knew we were on Sardinia?).Perhaps inspired by yesterday’s dawn raid on the SS125 we are up for 7.30 breakfast which is magnifico. We see more of the art that is a feature of the place. This includes a large motorbike, with fierce…

In which Sid and Doris have a high paw day climbing from Arbatax, Sardinia, at sea level, to the Glenna Silana col at 1016 metres and ride on to Dorgali to make a 73 k day with 1193 meters of climb.We both had misgivings about this route, lying awake on the boat, thinking about what food we had and what…

In which Sid and Doris suddenly find themselves at sea, on their way to Sardinia and a holiday.At Vasto we told our hotel host we were headed for Civitavecchia and she made mountain signs with her hands. Today we finished the ride over the Apennines to the sea with a ride that was half joy and half delivery. 78 kilometres…

In which Sid and Doris find the Appenines have almost been crossed, with splendid mountain views, vile roads and the excitement of crossing the Tiber. We can be on the West coast tomorrow. We start the day with some more repairs to Doris’ saddle.  In her defence, this saddle was transferred from the previous bike and has done all of…

In which Sid and Doris visit earthquake hit Aquila and enjoy an early end to the day in Renaissance Chieti.  The breakfast room at the Hotel de la Poste is full of cyclists about to set off on 100 k days and big climbs. And us. We will do 73 k and 663 metres of climb, a breeze. Appropriate Breakfast…

In which Sid and Doris drop a lot of height, enjoy a long honest climb to a Hotel de la Poste in earth quake land. The Appenines crossing goes on.Getting across the Appenines will take a few days of determined cycling. This is not the holiday riding we are promising ourselves. Soon, though. Breakfast was comically unsuited to cyclists. The…

In which Sid and Doris use old railways to make progress up the Adriatic coast, passing fishing platforms and old battle sites before climbing to a faded grand hotel.It is Saturday morning and very quickly we are passed by a Wiry Old Gent on a thin bike. This is good news, all day the traffic is sharing with cyclists. We…