IN SICILY FROM 19 TO 29 OF MAY 2023
Let Us Change was founded in 2009 by the Ethiopian Aynalem Wolde Amanuel and Leuven (Belgium) resident Johan Vandenbossche. Today the organization provides a home and future for children in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian NGO does this through care and education for almost 100 former street children in 3 homes, and support for 40 families through jobs, basic services and medical assistance.
The children are no longer defined by their past, but grew into empowered, strong children and young adults, with a promising future ahead.
Let Us Change grew thanks to the effort of local management and staff, and the support of many volunteers, sympathizers, and partner organizations in Belgium, the Netherlands, the USA, Australia, and Italy.
The Giro di Sicilia 2023 is the main event of our spring season. We will ride all around our island to let you discover its beauty, culture, and delicious food. 10 days, 9 rides, 1000 km! If you don’t have all these days, don’t worry we also have the light version of the Giro di Sicilia for you.
“To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.”J.W. Goethe |
BIKE PARADISE
For the cyclists, Sicily is known for the volcano Etna but there are so many attractive places to ride. We will show you many beautiful places with exciting climbs, breathtaking views, and charming villages.
You will visit all the top cities of the island starting from Catania, Messina, Palermo, Trapani, Agrigento and Ragusa, and Siracusa. You will be impressed by the little villages along the way and by the beaches and the stunning landscapes.
SETUP
You will be assisted by our top cycling guides, mechanics, and massagers. We will take care of everything: planning, accommodation, bag transfers, restaurants, laundry, bike service, and rental. Most of all we will teach you what it means to be a real Sicilian. What to say, how to gesture, how to talk loudly, what to eat and how to ride like Vincenzo Nibali or Damiano Caruso!
CULTURE
There are riches and mysteries galore in the Sicilian history from the ancient Greeks to the Normans. This migration of different cultures has given Sicily its own special character.
Riding here you will experience all these different historical and cultural layers that Sicily consists of, from the beaches to the beautiful Baroc cities to the churches and castles and the distinct kind of warmth and humor of the Sicilian people.
FOOD
Sicilian food is contradictory, just like the Sicilian culture. It is an odd mixture of Italian, Greek, Arab, French, Spanish, and North African. Its dinner plates are living odes to the number of peoples that have conquered, colonized, settled, ruled, and emigrated here.
The vegetables and fruit grown here are known as some of the best in all of Europe and the fish from the ocean is a story of its own. Food is very important to Sicilians and they always talk about it.
THE SPECIAL EDITION JERSEY EXPLAINED
Every Sicily Cycling Club Jersey has something hidden that has inspired us. Sometimes it can be the Lava Flows of Etna and “her” black roads, sometimes the iconic Giro d’Italia Jersey or the deep blue sea that surrounds the island.
When we started thinking about the design of a jersey to promote a fundraising event like our “Cycling for Change Through Sicily” we focused on connections. The strong connection between Sicily and Africa (the southern part of Sicily is below the north part of Africa!) is of course the starting point. So we wanted to mix a bit of Africa and Ethiopia and a bit of Sicily.
The importance of Connection is one of the founding principles of Sicily Cycling Club. We always say that there is nothing that can connect two souls more than riding a bike and sharing the same effort together. One day Tommaso met Bill Devany on the road to Taormina. After 5 minutes of talking Bill accepted to come to our camp that was supposed to start in a couple of days.
Bill is a guy from the Bronx who can easily connect with everyone! He has 5 children (biological and adopted) and helps raise awareness and support for about 100 children in Ethiopia through Empower Ethiopia.
Our special edition jersey has all this inside. That’s why we are really proud of the result!
Green, Yellow, and Red are the colors of the Ethiopian National Flag
Yellow and Red are the colors of the Sicilian Flag
The pattern on the sleeves is taken from the Ceramics of Santo Stefano di Camastra
A little heart with Italian national colors stands for “Italy Loves Ethiopia”
TRAVEL CAMP PROGRAM
19 May // Arrival at Catania Fontanarossa Airport and transfer to the Hotel, Bike Unpacking and Dinner
20 May // Catania -> Messina. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner
21 May // Messina -> Caronia. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner
22 May // Caronia -> Palermo. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner (LIGHT CAMP STARTS HERE)
23 May // Palermo -> Trapani. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner
24 May // Trapani -> Selinunte. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner
25 May // Selinunte -> Agrigento. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner
26 May // Agrigento -> Scoglitti. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner
27 May // Scoglitti -> Pachino. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and Dinner
28 May // Pachino -> Catania. Arrival in Hotel. Aperitivo and “Last supper” in Catania
29 May // Transfer to the Airport of Catania Fontanarossa
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
AIRPORT We recommend that you fly to Catania airport from there we arrange transfer to/ from.
To and from Catania airport there are several connections from airlines like Norwegian, Alitalia, SAS, KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair etc. If you have questions regarding the booking of tickets please contact us. We are ready to help you. IT IS IMPORTANT to have minimum 2 hours between connections if you are flying with a stopover so the handling people have time to put your bike on the plane. In the unlikely event that your bike is not delivered to the airport on the same flight as you and arrives the day after we will give you one of our bikes (if the size is available) so you can ride as planned with the rest of the group. We suggest you bring your pedals, shoes, helmet and one cycling kit in your handbag.
TRANSFER We will arrange your transfer to and from Catania Airport and the hotel. When you arrive we are ready to receive you and bring you and your bike to the hotel. The pickup will be every 2nd hour starting from 8.00 AM. In case you arrive one day before the first day we can arrange the pick-up for free and you can add an extra day at the hotel.
SCC will be responsible for the daily bike rides. All Customers will ride with SCC every day. SCC guides will give insight into the special location and the history of the different towns and places we pass through.
LEVEL OF FITNESS This trip is suited for all people who ride the bike 2 times a week or more. SCC is the guarantor that clients of all levels will succeed in this cycling journey. If necessary, we will divide people into groups by fitness level. You must be able to ride around 100km a day with 1500hm.
BIKE RENTAL SCC If you don’t care to bring your bike you can rent, for €300, a full Carbon bike delivered directly to the Hotel.
COVID19 CANCELLATION POLICIES In case you cannot travel because of COVID19 restrictions (so you cannot travel to Italy) we will credit you the deposit and you can use it for future camps or to buy our SCC Cycling Gears. The balance will be refunded to your account.
Giro d’Italia 2020 Memories – What to expect when you decide to come to our camp
THE PRICE FOR CYCLING FOR CHANGE 2023 CYCLING TOUR PER PERSON IS
$2.500
+$250 (or more)
Donation to “Let Us Change” through “EMPOWER ETHIOPIA”
IT IS POSSIBLE TO START IN PALERMO AND BOOK THE “LIGHT CAMP” for
$1.900
HOW TO BOOK?
3 SIMPLE STEPS
| 1. CLICK ON BOOK NOW
2. INSERT YOUR DETAILS 3. YOU RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PAY (the process changes depending on your country of residency) |
INCLUDED
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel T/R.
- 10 nights in hotel in Single room (discount available for DBL)
- Half board (Breakfast and dinner).
- Secure Bike room.
- Route program of 100km a day and 1000/1500 hm. (adapted to the participants).
- Guides will ride with you every day and will split the group into smaller ones with different fitness levels. At least 1 guide every 6 guests.
- Special Edition SCC Let Us Change.
- “Aperitivo” after each ride with local food.
EXCLUDED
- Cafe and snacks during the rides.
- Wine, Beer, and other alcoholic drinks.
- Travel Insurance. You can get a Gold Coverage with SportsCoverDirect.com for less than $50.
- If we cannot find a guest for you to share the double room with, we will offer you a single room fee discount of 50%.
