Mount Etna

[OldBean]

Anybody done the ETNA EMTB ride?? its on my bucket list ....I am a fit(ish) 83 year old just trying to asses the steepness of the climb .

 

[JStrube]

My wife and I were looking at that tour for our trip this summer to Sicily. We haven't decided if it will work for us yet though, we are staying in Taormina, and the tour leaves from a ways away. I'm interested in hearing about it as well!

 

[OldBean]

I will be in Taormina in October ......These guys offer hotel pick up https://www.etnabiketours.com/excursions/mount-etnas-summit-on-e-bikes/
Trying for a ride on the 13 th see you there?

 

[JStrube]

My wife teaches school, we are mid 50's, still have to pull the plow... We are going in June, great weather for heat!

 

[withersea]

I've MTB'd down and around it, with a local uplift company. It was an amazing day and well worth doing.

My trip included cycling down from where the gondolas drop you. This is a very, very large bowl shape full of small pieces of lava. It's almost like riding on sand. I went over the bars 3 seconds in, because it's a very odd surface - thankfully the landing is soft and comfortable.

 

[JStrube]

My wife and I just returned to the states from Sicily. We did the "Ride to the Top", arguably the most difficult ride they offer. Our guide and the 3rd person on the tour were all older than us (likely 60's), and definitely more fit. We both did fine, there were some areas where the terrain was soft, so some skill is needed, though not a great deal. I would say anyone who rides regularly & can handle the time in the seat can do this ride. By regularly, I mean once every week or 2. Total distance was about 43km (however far that really is), and time was from about 9:30-3PM, including shuttle up &time to recharge the battery at the lunch break.

Any questions, ask away, ride is still fresh in my head.

John.

 

[Tonybro]

Where's the pics?

 

[JStrube]

Where's the pics?

I have about 30 on my Instagram!

John Strube (@jstrube_) • Instagram photos and videos

345 Followers, 367 Following, 1,121 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from John Strube (@jstrube_)

www.instagram.com

@jstrube_

 

[OldBean]

thanks a million for that info. I am a bit older than the peops you mention but quite fit and I guess half of the trip is downhill anyway!!
Still planning to go and hope there is a good lunch stop!!

 

[JStrube]

thanks a million for that info. I am a bit older than the peops you mention but quite fit and I guess half of the trip is downhill anyway!!
Still planning to go and hope there is a good lunch stop!!

If you ride regularly, and can navigate the loose ground, you will be fine. The lunch stop was great, lots of choices, even a beer. Check out my Instagram link for pics, my wife and I are not riding much yet, and did good. It was a long day in the saddle for me, but I used my battery plenty on the way up and the brakes on the way down. It was a great experience.

Here is my Strava link: Morning E-Mountain Bike Ride - John S.'s 27.9 mi mountain bike ride