Malta: Living on the Edge of Europe

Overreaching….on a Piaggio Fly 125

Not mine but this is what it looks like (source: http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/mcy/2344408813.html)

Pozzallo to Caltavutura, 220km, surely a manageable distance. Until I introduce some factors, expected and not, into the equation.

Factor A: it’s only a 125cc. Memory wrong-sided me here. You see, the last time I did Sicily with a motorbike was when I had a Piaggio X9 Evolution. With 200cc, we (me and my pillion, 2 side saddle bags, rear luggage box and a rucksack) could still cruise along at 100km/h on the highways. However, the Fly is more of a city bike, so taking it beyond 60 had it shuddering in fear at the speed. As you can imagine, losing 40km in an hour is no joke. Besides, motorcycles under 150cc are not even allowed on highways, contrary to what I thought I had read somewhere.

Factor B: the weather. I’m instinctively more cautious on wet roads or in the rain and that’s what I had to face on the outward journey. In fine weather, a longer ride is still a pleasure because I can stop along the way for photographing the sites and tasting the local goodies. The Saturday of the race was an almost uninterrupted 7-hour assault. “Almost”, because of ….

Factor C: a small fuel tank. X9 equalled 350 kilometres when full. That would have taken me to Caltavuturo and half-way back. Not so the Fly, maxing out at 130km. This is an important consideration when facing long stretches of wilderness without a fuel station in sight. I needed to stop twice each way to play it safe.

Factor D: mechanical niggles. I had read rave reviews by normal users before choosing this model. Unfortunately I haven’t been very fortunate with mine. It’s only 4 months out of the showroom but it’s been towed away a couple of times because of mechanical problems. The agents have been extremely helpful but it seems that just as one problem gets solved, another develops. The current worry is the lazy ignition. When it was time for me to head back to Pozzallo, I had a few anxious moments because this time it struggled even more. Having faith in the machine one’s driving is a worry less.

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2011: 05/03
CATEGORY: Transport
Travel
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Starting from the end

I achieved 2nd place in the 45-50 category for the combined time of both races.

It had been years since I received a prize in a competitive event so I must admit, I’m well and truly chuffed with myself.

Mellieha AC leaves its mark in Sicily!

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2011: 05/01
CATEGORY: Athletics
Events
Sports
Travel
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Did I say adventure?

Misadventure more like it. Being honest, it’s been a miserable day. Waking up at 2am to be at the harbour by 3.30am (a Virtu Ferries requirement) for a 5am departure to Pozzallo wasn’t a problem. Neither was the crossing with the catamaran as the sea wasn’t unduly rough. However, the gentle rain which greeted my disembarkation was a prelude to a number of unpleasantnesses.

Never having been one to relish cycling or motorbiking in the rain, I certainly didn’t welcome the drops which started to descend with increasing vigour. Although I was prepared for this eventuality, my rain suit decided to lose its waterproofing ability and my Gore-Tex shoes, in a show of sartorial solidarity, did likewise. The result was a 230km trip to Caltavuturo with wet jeans, damp underpants and soggy socks – my spirits were truly sinking in all this water. Another element which is in the habit of unnerving me is blustery wind. This, too, wanted to make its contribution, successfully giving me many white knuckle moments as I struggled to keep the scooter (Piaggio Fly 125) in a straight line, especially along exposed bridges, some of which were literally kilometres long, and along narrow winding climbs and descents. You can imagine my relief when nearly 7 hours later I approached my destination.

Caltavuturo

Shock number 1. The hotel “Agriturismo Mandriagiumenta“, which the map on the website booking.com located as within metres of the EcoTrail della Luna start/finish, was in fact 9kms away. Incredulous, I had to double-check with a couple of other locals but they too confirmed that I had to drive out of town to reach it. In milder weather, I wouldn’t have minded this misinformation so much but not today.

mandriagiumenta 300x200 Did I say adventure?

Agriturismo Mandriagiumenta

Shock number 2. I walk into my safe-haven and the owner (who everyone referred to as “il professore”) asks how he can help. I introduce myself and say that I have a reservation for 2 nights. Yes, you can imagine what’s coming next. He’s evidently taken aback because he has no knowledge of my arrival. What’s more, the hotel is fully booked, this being a holiday weekend. I’m left with the hard copy of a reservation which is only worth the ink and paper used to print it out. To his credit, he assessed correctly that the dismal figure standing before him needed comforting. He assured me that he’d sort something out but, a few phone calls later, I’m told that the limited accommodation facilities in town were all taken up. Not even the nuns had beds available…truly. Woeful me, awake since 2am and travelling in inclement weather for the good part of the day, only to find out that I have no room or bed to shelter or recover in. Finally, il professore, whose family home is above the agriturismo’s restaurant, says that for that night I can take over his son’s bedroom in his absence. For the following night, guest rooms will again be available. An hour or so later, the owner relieves me of another headache when he arranges a lift to and from the race with a participant, Pippo, who’s also a resident there.

Despite these apparent glimmers, the gloom still hangs heavy like the weather and I’m really regretting having undertaken this trip. But the WeatherProHD application on my iPad did forecast sunny days for this weekend!

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2011: 05/01
CATEGORY: Events
Places
Travel
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Day 1 – the night race

At 2030hrs we’re supposed to run up a mountain and down again, for a total distance of 12 kilometres. At 2000hrs, I’m not only yawning but my eyelids are closing, weighed down by the early morning rise (0200hrs), the physically draining 220km drive in rain, wind and road-level clouds, and the mental knockout of finding that my reserved accommodation had no place for me and the few other hotels in the small town of Caltravuturo were likewise fully booked. My food has so far has consisted of 6 fig rolls (they worked well enough during Lifecycle) and a small portion of spaghetti. Do a little warm-up jog, I tell myself, to keep this creeping sleep at bay.

2015hrs is briefing time. Before setting off, we must confirm that we have a torch, spare batteries and a whistle. If you think this is being overcautious, wait for the next bit. The race has been shortened by about 2k, eliminating the mountain top proper. Apparently the wind is so strong that there is the risk of an athlete being blown off the narrow paths. My skewed day seems to be working its voodoo on the race too.

Obligatory equipment

This is a trail race but the focus is on hills, so I’ll let the elevation and grade chart do the talking about the toughness of the climbs. With grades of 20 – 25%, running is not an option. The trick is to fast walk these massacring inclines. In any case, the heart is deceived into thinking that it pumping away for an all out sprint, as my heart rate recordings prove.

The route was fantastically marked by red reflective squares and triangles every few metres, ideal to get picked out by torchlight and making it virtually impossible to take a wrong path. Even if one did, these were also marked but with white reflectors; a pretty nifty idea, isn’t it? Despite all good intentions, within the first kilometre (on cobbles and tarmac) leading to the mountain trail, the police car heading the runners took a wrong turn, taking the leading and secondary group way off course. The former ended up doing some 4k extra, thus falsifying the first day’s result. To their credit, apart from a few disappointed faces, the “cheated” runners laughed it away. Really, no swearing, no threats, no prima donna theatrics – just good natured banter.

Elevation - Grade - Distance

The surface we ran on consisted of tarmac, steps, cobbles, mud and gravel. Most of it was in pitch black surroundings so imagine my surprise when I started hearing band music in the distance, even though no town lights could be seen for miles around. As I sloshed my way through the damp vegetation, I came upon a dilapidated farmhouse. Going in through the remains of a gate leading to the yard, there was a brass band on some steps, playing away in torch & candle light while helpers dished out fruit segments and water. Magical, even if I could only enjoy it for as long as it took to grab a banana piece, peel it and dispose of the skin in a container (not doing so carries the risk of disqualification).

Briefing

By the time the informal prize-giving for that day’s winners (not everyone had signed on for both races) was done with, the pasta party in the Alter Ego Club (seemingly unprepared for the large attendance) was over, and I had hitched a lift back to the hotel, showered and slid under the quilt, it was half-past midnight. That’s almost 23 hours since having woken up back in Malta; that’s only 6 hours before having to wake up for a breakfast to fortify me for Sunday’s 22k. Ominously, those who had run it before claimed that it was both tougher and more technically-difficult. I was on a high now so all I could think was – bring it on!

Thoughts and happenings from a life on Malta

Overreaching….on a Piaggio Fly 125

Starting from the end

Did I say adventure?

Day 1 – the night race

Ecotrail della Luna – Caltavuturo: the adventure starts tonight!

Eleanor Roosevelt:

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