{"id":1279,"date":"2017-05-08T16:29:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T16:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/?p=1279"},"modified":"2017-05-15T17:56:31","modified_gmt":"2017-05-15T17:56:31","slug":"day-3-sicilian-alps-to-cefalu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/?p=1279","title":{"rendered":"Day 3: Sicilian Alps to Cefalu"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1257\" style=\"width: 778px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/41.RaisedRoad.Etna_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1257\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1257\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/41.RaisedRoad.Etna_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/41.RaisedRoad.Etna_.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/41.RaisedRoad.Etna_-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1257\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mt. Etna hung in the distance as we left Enna and drove to our bike start.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>We continued in the van until\u00a02:30 PM, then stopped to unload\u00a0our bikes for the 4 hour pedal through the Madonie Nature Reserve to the northern coast and Cefalu. \u00a0We had no idea what to expect and soon found ourselves in country that reminded us first of Tuscany and, later, as the peaks grew rockier and the vistas grander, of the Alps. \u00a0This is Sicily??? \u00a0After some long climbs and longer descents, we glimpsed the Mediterranean and sailed through hairpin turns down into Cefalu after one of the most scenic days we had ever experienced on a bike. \u00a0(45 mi., 4,000 ft)<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1261\" style=\"width: 950px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1261\" class=\"wp-image-1261 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/45.CyclistsPanorama.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1261\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This is Sicily? We begin a long climb as we head for the northern coast.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_1262\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1262\" class=\"wp-image-1262 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/46.RefuelinAlps-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1262\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reload and regroup in vast valleys under rocky peaks that reminded us of the Alps (though 2,000 m. lower elevation!).<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_1251\" style=\"width: 950px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1251\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1251\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/33.HilltownDuomo.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1251\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Of course, there were hilltop towns along the way&#8230;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_1264\" style=\"width: 950px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1264\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1264\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/47.Alps_.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1264\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8230;but mostly valleys and rocky promontories.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_1266\" style=\"width: 195px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/49.Mike_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1266\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1266\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/49.Mike_-185x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"185\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/49.Mike_-185x300.jpg 185w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/49.Mike_.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 185px) 100vw, 185px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1266\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mike is happy to finish the last climb and reach the descent into Cefalu.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_1268\" style=\"width: 307px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/51.Rick_.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1268\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1268\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/51.Rick_-297x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"297\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/51.Rick_-297x300.jpg 297w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/51.Rick_.jpg 593w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 297px) 100vw, 297px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1268\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rick\u00a0ready to bring it home, Mediterranean on horizon.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1269\" style=\"width: 950px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1269\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1269\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"940\" height=\"705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1269\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cefalu and the Mediterranean at last.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_1281\" style=\"width: 278px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/60.CefaloMotorpacing.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1281\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1281\" src=\"http:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/60.CefaloMotorpacing-268x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"268\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/60.CefaloMotorpacing-268x300.jpg 268w, https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/60.CefaloMotorpacing.jpg 687w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 268px) 100vw, 268px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1281\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We end the day with Howie&#8217;s daring one-handed shot as we followed the van through Cefalu to our hotel.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; We continued in the van until\u00a02:30 PM, then stopped to unload\u00a0our bikes for the 4 hour pedal through the Madonie Nature Reserve to the northern coast and Cefalu. \u00a0We had no idea what to expect and soon found ourselves &hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/?p=1279\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[4],"tags":[53],"class_list":["post-1279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycling","tag-sicily-100th-giro"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/52.Cefalu.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3QqGi-kD","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1279"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1279\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayjack.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}