
"Sicily Divide Bike Trail" with the folding bike
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Once upon a time...
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a place of contrasts. From the rugged mountains in the interior to the endless sandy beaches along the coast, it offers a fascinating blend of nature, history, and culture. Lively cities like Palermo and Catania meet sleepy villages where time seems to stand still. Traces of history can be felt everywhere – from the ancient Greek temples to the impressive remains from the Roman era.
Fifteen years ago, I circumnavigated the island on my old Raleigh steel racer, which then went into well-deserved retirement a few years later. In retrospect, the bike was rather impractical with its thin tires and lack of luggage space.

It was the classic Italian vacation: sun, sea, and lots of pasta. Like most tourists, I stuck to the well-known coastal routes and enjoyed what Sicily is famous for: beaches, sea, and Mediterranean flair. But the island's interior, with its hidden gems and pristine landscapes, remained undiscovered back then. A lot has changed since that first tour. I started off as a casual cyclist and became a passionate cycle traveler, and my interest in bikepacking now increasingly leads me to lesser-known corners, far from the typical routes.
The rediscovery of Sicily
At the beginning of last year, quite by chance, I stumbled upon the Sicily Divide Trail . A trail that runs through the heart of Sicily, from east to west, over the most beautiful gravel and mountain stages of the hinterland. My curiosity was immediately piqued. The idea of cycling through Sicily again, this time off the beaten coastal paths, sounded too tempting. Almost at the same time, I learned that a good old friend was just starting a six-month break on the island with his family and their VW camper van. This couldn't be a coincidence.
I spontaneously checked the flights – the plan was taking shape. But there was a small problem: Taking the bike on the plane was more expensive than expected. And where would I put the bulky travel bag? An alternative was needed. While you can rent gravel bikes locally through Sicily Divide, the new Tyrell IVE folding bike had just arrived at my house . The idea of setting up this compact bike for travel and pedaling it over mountains had been appealing to me for a while.
My setup - The IVE folding bike in the Adventure version!
We're big fans of the IVE . Why? Because it's incredibly flexible, beautifully crafted, and offers plenty of room for upgrades . Of course, the bike's primary use is as a stylish city bike , perfect for daily commuting. But what if you push it out of its comfort zone? Can the IVE also handle adventures?
A few important features make the city bike a suitable travel companion :
✅ Tire clearance up to 50 mm – Perfect for loose surfaces, gravel, and unpaved roads. More grip, more comfort.
✅ Solid components from Shimano & Tektro – Means: If something breaks somewhere in the middle of nowhere, pretty much any workshop can help you.
✅ Luggage options – The bike can accommodate front and frame bags and is even compatible with front and rear luggage racks.
✅ 8 or 9-speed gears – Not a mountain bike, but enough gearing to tackle moderate climbs.
But as good as the setup sounds, the journey through Sicily is also a tough test . What upgrades would need to be made to the folding bike to make it a true "Adventure Edition" ? Would it need a different gear system, more robust wheels, or perhaps a better solution for carrying luggage? The next few days will reveal the IVE's strengths and weaknesses. The ultimate reality check begins! 🚴♂️
My journey through Sicily
I myself took a slightly modified route to the Sicily Divide Trail. I had planned to start in Palermo , but the weather there was more reminiscent of the end of the world than a cycling trip. So, Plan B : I started in Gibellina , followed the official trail to Enna , and then turned towards Noto to meet up with friends. In the end, the odometer showed 450 kilometers and just over 7,000 meters of elevation gain – and every single one was worth the experience. If you want to relive my adventure, you can find all the details: Folding Bike Adventures // episode 01 - Sicily Divide
Day 1: From Gibellina to Sambuca di Sicilia – A tough test for man and machine
It doesn't begin gently; it begins with a struggle . Weeks of rain have turned the clayey ground into a sticky mess. The ride through the Bosco Finestrelle becomes a real test: every meter is a battle against the mud that collects between the tires and fenders , repeatedly halting progress. I have to constantly dismount to remove the caked-on mud—without wide 50 mm tires, I wouldn't have had a chance. A good decision to upgrade!
💡 Lesson 1: Easily removable mudguards would have mitigated the problem. Without mudguards? Completely covered in mud. There's no perfect solution.
But persevere, stay cheerful, stay positive! At some point the forest will release me, I've made it.
Gibellina Vecchia & Poggioreale Vecchia – memorials of destruction
After about 20 kilometers, I reach Gibellina Vecchia —or rather, what's left of it. The town was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1968 , and today a gigantic monument made of stone blocks and paths commemorates its former layout. Impressive. Oppressive. Shocking.
Just 8 kilometers away is the next ghost town: Poggioreale Vecchia . Here, even more remains— or rather, more lies in ruins. Ruins as far as the eye can see. A battlefield from the past.
Green hills, flocks of sheep – and the moment a dog bites me
The landscape becomes hilly, up and down, past flocks of sheep and lonely shepherds. Not a soul in sight – except for shepherds and their sheepdogs .
And then it happens: I drive past a flock of sheep, slowly, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. The shepherd waves me through – but the livestock guardian dogs aren't bothered. Three of them, big, fast, and incredibly close to me.
I try to stay calm, not to go too fast, not to awaken the hunting instinct – but one of the dogs decides anyway: Bite my calf. Hallelujah.
The shepherd comes immediately, helps me, and disinfects the wound with alcohol. A doctor? In Sambuca di Sicilia? Give it a try... Ultimately, my friends, who happened to be nearby, save me: a tetanus shot in a pizzeria, administered by a nurse friend. It's a good story in retrospect—but nobody really needs it.
💡 Lesson 2: Do you see a flock of sheep? Stop! The dogs usually lose interest then. Do you drive on quickly? Bad idea – hunting instinct activated.
Conclusion Day 1: An emotional up and down
✔ Bike holds up.
✔ Leg not quite as good anymore.
✔ Welcome to Sicily – the adventure has begun! 🚴♂️🔥
Day 2&3: Of hills, bridges and mountain magic – Sambuca to Enna
After the adrenaline rush and dog drama of the first day , days 2 and 3 bring a welcome slowdown – at least emotionally. The scenery remains challenging: hills, hills, hills. Or in numbers: plenty of elevation gain spread over a good 160 kilometers. It sounds like a lot, but the ride is surprisingly relaxed – provided you have the right attitude, a functioning bike, and no fresh bite wounds.
The path leads me through a scenery that is constantly reinventing itself:
🚲 Burgio – charming mountain village with winding streets.
🚲 Lucca Sicula – hidden between the hills, quiet and original.
🚲 Lago di Magazzolo – turquoise waters crowned by a massive bridge that dramatically towers high above the lake. Almost surreal.
🚲 Santo Stefano di Quisquina – small, quiet, worth a short break.
🚲 Mussomeli – towers over the landscape with its striking castle.
And then the unexpected wow moment : Between Mussomeli and Montedoro , a deep canyon cuts into the hilly landscape – almost like a piece of Scotland in the middle of Sicily . Quiet, rugged, impressive. A brief moment in which you forget where you are.
My destination is Enna – and it's worth spending two days there. The city sits high above, seemingly carved out of the rock, with spectacular views of Mount Etna . The old town enchants with narrow, cobbled streets , ancient walls, and an almost theatrical atmosphere.
After two days of folding bike adventures, natural forces, altitude gain and bite wounds, Enna is the perfect place to take a breather, marvel and readjust .
The Tyrell continues to make a commanding impression – quiet, reliable – a true travel companion . But what the bike can – or can't – handle on climbs will become clear on the coming stages.
The whole experience was rewarded with the most exquisite food that Sicily has to offer – and a glass of red wine with a view of Mount Etna – that’s what arrival tastes like.
Travel flexibly – by folding bike and train to the sea
By the way: I didn't ride the entire route in one go . I was repeatedly drawn to the sea – sometimes the weather was a reason, sometimes simply the desire for salt water and pasta with a sea view. And that works surprisingly well in Sicily : The train is cheap, reliable enough , and the folding bike is a real wildcard in the system.
Because of the bag on the seat tube, it would have had to be removed every time – but the Tyrell IVE can be split in half in just a few seconds . No major screwing, no stress. Leave the bag on, fold the bike, and get on the train – done.
This turns a bikepacking route into a modular journey of discovery – sometimes trail, sometimes coastal, sometimes a break. And that's perhaps the greatest strength of this clever little bike.
Day 4&5: Finale with tailwind - From Enna to Noto, through forests, wind and vastness
The last two days of this trip are a worthy conclusion – and at the same time a rush: from landscape, weather, speed, silence and the growing certainty that this small folding bike is capable of great things .
From Enna , the route enters the Rossomanno-Grottascura-Bellia Natural Reserve – and this truly is gravel at its finest: forest paths, gravel, silence , a touch of wilderness, a touch of magic. But as romantic as the route begins, the weather becomes just as wild. Rain, hail, torrential downpours. But that's exactly what makes a cycling trip come alive: not just riding, but feeling it – nature, the weather, yourself .
Monastery, curves, cultural landscape
I spend the night in the old monastery of Vizzini – simple, quiet, strong.
And then, the next day, the absolute flow moment: the descent from Buccheri into the Valle dell'Anapo – steep, winding, and fast. At the bottom, it becomes almost unreal: I roll along an old railway line that has been converted into a bike path, through a landscape you wouldn't expect to find in Sicily.
Massive mountains to the left and right, and a wildly romantic river winding through the valley. Lush greenery, no cars, just the breeze, freedom, and focus.
Finale by the sea
Beyond the valley, the orchards begin—endless, structured, smelling of ripe lemons and oranges. And then, quite suddenly: salt in the air. The sea.
The last 20 kilometers drag on, but they carry me: tired legs, happy heart. After leaving Syracuse , I cycle directly along the coast, letting the wind push me, letting go of everything.
In Avola , the only thing that mattered: a bottle of Nero d'Avola , a silent toast to myself, the bike, the island, the days.
And finally, we arrive at a nature campsite near Noto with friends. Sun. Warmth. Conversation. No Wi-Fi. Everything's perfect.
Conclusion: Sicily, adventure – and the Tyrell IVE in its very own “Adventure Edition”
I'm a fan of side roads, small paths, and places off the beaten track. For me, real travel begins where you don't know what to expect . Sometimes you're surprised, sometimes you're challenged – but that's precisely what makes it so appealing. Not everything goes smoothly, and that's precisely why it sticks in your memory.
Sicily? A clear recommendation.
The tour took place in March 2024 – a perfect time: the island is in bloom , lush green, mild temperatures, and hardly any tourism. The hinterland, in particular, reveals its most impressive side at this time of year – quiet, pristine, and intense .
You can SEE the video of the tour here.
And the bike?
The Tyrell IVE is actually designed as a folding city bike—compact, lightweight, and clever. But this tour was more than just a journey; it was also a practical test : How much adventure can a folding bike pack?
Last year, Patrick and I sat down together and thought through possible setups – and the result is impressive: The IVE can be upgraded modularly , with standard parts and well-thought-out components.
My most important insights while riding the Tyrell IVE:
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50 mm tires – a real game changer:
I mounted the Schwalbe Billy Bonkers in 50 mm width – and remained puncture-free throughout the entire tour. The bike comes standard with 40 mm tires, but the step up to 50 mm makes a significant difference:
More contact area, more traction—especially on loose surfaces—and, above all, more comfort thanks to damping when riding at approximately 3 bar. This is a huge advantage, especially on long days on varying terrain. -
Front luggage on the dock instead of fork carrier:
I had attached a large bag to the front dock. The big advantage: The weight isn't on the fork , but is carried directly by the sturdy steel frame . This has a positive effect on the steering behavior – the bike remains stable and steady, even when fully loaded. Important: Tighten the bolts on the dock securely ; there shouldn't be any play. And under no circumstances should the weight exceed 10 kg. -
Frame bag – please fit perfectly!
I was using a standard frame bag – unfortunately, it was a bit too wide. When folding the bike, the tire regularly rubbed against it, which visibly damaged the bag. Therefore, a customized solution was necessary . We are currently (May 2025) in discussions with a bag manufacturer to make just that possible – an IVE-specific frame bag that also works when folded. -
Saddlebag vs. rear rack:
The classic "ass rocket," borrowed from a gravel bike, did its job – but I'd prefer the Tyrell rear rack next time. Why? The luggage sits lower , the center of gravity is better, and folding is faster because you don't have to disassemble anything. -
Pedals – underestimated, but crucial:
The standard folding pedals are fine for the city, but on long tours and steep climbs, they show their weaknesses: too little grip, too little surface area . I've since switched to high-quality MKS pedals (Japan) – they offer significantly more grip and security, especially on rough terrain or when pedaling out of the saddle.