We finally reached Palermo after cycling 575KM across some of Sicily’s most stunning scenaries and visited some historical sites across the former Greek/Roman empires.
I didn’t do a lot of thinking on this trip. I guess it’s one of those few moments in life where I can just relax and take my mind out of the daily routine, not be bothered by the mundaneness of it all. Yet I don’t find the idea of being on a bike riding to freedom an addictive element to life which I will dearly miss when I sit at my desk on Tuesday morning.
I didn’t get a eureka moment whereby I knew what I wanted in life nor was I any closer to solving some of the persisting puzzles which bothers me in London. For once I was able to concentrate on myself and going out to accomplish a goal: to cycle to our destination.
One of the things I did theorised about was the inequality in the distribution of wealth. For the first time ever, I managed to drink a bottle of 500ml coke over 3 days. It was because I come to realise how much energy a bottle of coke could give you, and the feeling of luxury you get from drinking it. Sometimes I think for the energy I exert during work, and the amount of energy and power I am given as a result of it (I.e. owning a car, have the money to take a train or a bus) I realised I take a lot of this for granted and rather hedonistically so. I don’t think about the amount of energy it cost me to carry a 1 tonne vehicle across 24miles a day up a rather high ‘wycombe’ since I no longer consider the amount of energy it takes to do such a routine task. When I am cycling across Sicily, the thought of climbing 300m scares the living daylight out of me. Yet, whilst cycling up to Alcamo, trucks and cars drove effortless next to me honking as if it was funny. Yet, I was there cycling breathlessly up the slope without the energy to reply to my fellow cyclists.
Perhaps it’s a sign I should get fit and keep fit. OK, heading back to London the day after tomorrow. So I will get the photos up when I get back.
—————————- Update ———————————–
Photos are now uploaded in facebook and flickr.