May 14, 2019
Let the Journey Begin
Our tour of Sicily in 2018 was such a fabulous adventure that it was easy to decide on Sardinia as this year’s destination. Another Italian island in the Mediterranean just seemed like a natural fit. So, we bought our tickets in early January and set our sights on Sardinia. The training schedule was not up to the usual standard this year, nevertheless, I managed to get in 1000 km of training rides and regular circuit training and yoga classes to round out the fitness. Thinking back on our fitness regimens, I have often thought that we don’t pay enough attention to rest, which is when the re-building takes place. This year, we will see the effect of more rest on our overall fitness.
Part of the preparation for the tour is to have the garden all prepped so it can look after itself for a month. A neighbour will cut the grass. The veggies and flowers are on their own.
David always gives our Bike Fridays a good going over so they are up to the challenge of a rugged month of riding. This year I needed a new derailleur, chain and cog, and a new set of cleats for the shoes. His bike didn’t really need any more than a tune up. I am forever grateful for his mechanical skills as it gives me confidence in my bike as I am on the road.
Our friend, Leslie, had kindly offered to drive us to the airport today. But, first we had to drop off our Jack Russell at the Pawsh Oasis, her home away from home. Then we were off to the Victoria International airport. We flew AirCanada to Vancouver, then Lufthansa to Frankfurt where we transferred to our final flight of this leg, to Barcelona.
We are now tucked in at our hotel in el Prat de Llobregat, near the Barcelona airport. When we arrived, our body clocks were telling us it was 6am and time for breakfast. Of course, Lufthansa served us breakfast 6 hrs ago! So after a 1 hr snooze, we headed out for dinner.
We found a great, vibrant kebab shop not far from the hotel where we both had a kebab platter and beer. It was fun to watch the chefs making the kebab orders and the hubub of locals, dropping by and visiting while waiting for their take-out dinner.
This year, we have several friends who happen to be cycle touring here in Europe at the same time so we checked in on their blogs then called it a day, a long but satisfying and successful first day.
Tomorrow morning we do the final leg, a 90 minute flight to Cagliari, Sardinia.
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5 years ago
5 years ago
We will have a limited time in Sardinia, Porto Torres to Cagliarli....
What would you highly recomment? Best to go down West side or East side? Thanks
Racpat
2 years ago
That’s a tough question to answer. The only area to truly avoid is the industrial coastline along the southwest coast to Cagliari. That’s easy enough to do on a train. I think we caught it in Carbonia?
If you are there now, the winds might be worth taking into consideration.
The other area we didn’t care for was Muravera, but it was more to do with our experience there I think. It was a Sunday and we just got a weird feeling about the place. Oh, and Barumini where the Su Nuraxi is located. They have an amazing nuraghi there which is worth seeing but no tourist services in the town. I think everyone who comes to see the nuraghi does a day trip from Cagliari.
Highlights in Sardinia would be places like Cagliari itself and the National Archaeological Museum, La Maddelena Island, Castelsardo, the beaches along the east coast, the climb to and down from Genna Silana, Bosa, Pina Monne’s painted murals in Sunni, Flussio and Tinnura, Oristano, Carolforte on Isola San Pietro (although you have to hold your nose and look the other way as you approach the ferry terminal.. the industrial complex is something else!). Olbia is a nice enough place but it is a hub and it was a bit busy for us. Nevertheless the coast south of Olbia and right on down the east side is so beautiful.
There is a crazy hill between Arbus and Buggeru if you decide to go that way on your way south. It’s ok going up but it was so steep I had to walk a good chunk of it to get down (no disc brakes). Still, it was worth it. Just don’t try going north along that section!
So, the highlights are smattered around the island really. Sardinia has quite a story, both ancient and more recent) that few know about. It is overlooked by north american tourists and it is not high up on the bucket list for travellers. We loved the people but that’s usually the case when we travel. Food was so-so, with a few exceptions.
Don’t know if this was helpful. Enjoy the ride wherever it takes you.
Cheers,
Anne
2 years ago
We plan on a ferry from Barcelona to Porto Torres and moving through to then go to Sicily before crossing the boot of Italy.
2 years ago
2 years ago
Another advice question: your take on getting a fully loaded bike onto the Sardinia trains.
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago