Following your arrival into Cagliari, we’ll take a 90 minute (approx) transfer to the village of Calasetta on the island of Sant’Antioco in the southwest of Sardinia. Depending on arrival times, we’ll hopefully have time to head to the beach, before meeting up again for our bike fitting and welcome meeting, and our first Sardinian meal.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 725 Metres Approx.

After setting off from our accommodation we’ll ride south along the coast to the very tip of the island of Sant’Antico. Here we’ll climb up to Capo Sperone where we’ll enjoy the panoramic view on the island’s coast and hilly inland. This marks the true start of our Cape-to-Cape journey. Our route then takes us along quiet roads and gravel tracks north again to the town of Sant’Antioco and past the Roman bridge that once connected the island to the Sardinian mainland.

After crossing the bridge we’ll ride through the local salt works to the Porto Botte Lagoon. Along the way we should be able to spot flamingoes feeding in the shallow water, as well as many other species of wetland birds. Cycling on gravel tracks and along sandy beaches we’ll arrive at Porto Pino. After a short break to admire the beautiful white beaches, we’ll cycle the last short stretch along the Porto Pino Lagoon to our accommodation in Sant’Anna Arresi, where we’ll have the time for a cold beer before sitting down for dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 1,075 Metres Approx.

After breakfast this morning we say goodbye to the village of Sant’Anna Arresi, climbing up the rolling hills behind the little town. Our route goes up and down through wooded areas and cultivated fields and past abandoned hamlets to finally descend towards the hamlet of Barrancu Mannu and the forestry building of Pantaleo.

Here we’ll stop for lunch setting up a legendary Skedaddle picnic under the tall trees surrounding the forestry building. After lunch we’ll set off for a long steady climb up the smooth gravel road traversing the forest of Gutturu Mannu, first taking us down to the little chapel of Santa Lucia and then onto our evening’s accommodation.

After a well-deserved shower we’ll have some time to relax with a beer or a glass of local wine before sitting down for a delicious, traditional Sardinian meal.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 700 Metres Approx.

Back on our bikes after breakfast, we’ll be heading off this morning on dirt roads that criss-cross the plain in front of us. First we’ll cycle past the dam on the Cixerri River, marking one of Sardinia’s many artificial water basins. From here we’ll head northeast again on flat agricultural terrain to San Sperate’s open-air Museum Village. Here we’ll stop for a coffee and take some time to admire the many murals adorning the village walls.

From San Sperate we’ll continue north inland, slowly making our way over more undulating terrain. An occasional stretch of bumpy dirt road may well test our gravel biking skills! Soon after we’ll reach the neolithic burial grounds of Pranu Efis, a magical place to be explored at our leisure while a picnic is prepared for us under the pine trees.

The afternoon’s ride will take us into the Marmilla hills and today’s destination, the village of Barumuni, near the archaeological site of Su Nuraxi. Built over 3,500 years ago, this three storey fortress will enthral any contemporary architect.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 950 Metres Approx.

Leaving Barumini you’ll continue your journey making your way on an old railway track, through some tunnels, alongside the basalt plateau of the Giara di Gesturi. You will soon reach the village of Nuragus, before continuing your journey in the Marmilla Hills on narrow secondary tarmac roads and fast rolling double tracks passing through the villages of Genoni, Assolo and Mogorella where we’ll stop for a well-deserved picnic.

Later we’ll tackle the slower slopes of Monte Grighine. A fast descent will see us arrive in the valley again, from where a beautiful dirt road will take us to the little town of Fordongianus, known for its Roman remains and thermal baths. The thermal baths will not let you in the pool without a swimming cap and flip flops! So put them in your suitcase to be sure you don’t miss out!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 420 Metres Approx.

This morning we’ll set off from Fordongianus, now heading west again towards the coast and the Sinis Peninsula. As we leave the village we’ll stop to admire the Romanesque church of Santu Lussurio before starting to climb gradually up on the wonderful panoramic gravel road leading up and down to the hamlet of Siapicia, located at the very edge of the Oristano plain.

After passing the village we’ll head to the valley of the Tirso River, now cycling through flat terrain in the midst of cultivated fields. Almost all of our cycling here is on smooth dirt roads, with a few stretches on secondary tarmac roads leading through the small agricultural villages of Ollastra, Zerfaliu and Zeddiani.

Our next stop is in the village of Riola Sardo, on the edge of the Cabras lagoon, where we’ll take a break in a little park for our picnic lunch. Suitably fuelled, we’ll continue riding along the edge of the lagoon where we hope to spot several species of wetland birds, including large flocks of flamingoes!

Next on our route is Cabras, the main centre of the Sinis Peninsula, steeped in history and the production capital of Sardinian bottarga (mullet roe), locally known as the Gold of Cabras. We may well take a short breather in town for a last coffee or an ice cream, before riding the last section to our accommodation located a couple of kilometers out of town.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 330 Metres Approx.

Today, the grand finale of our gravel cycling adventure will take us on a loop ride of the beautiful Sinis Peninsula. After breakfast we’ll head north, riding on smooth dirt roads through the fields lining the Cabras lagoon.

We’ll eventually turn towards the coast, leaving the lagoon behind us, heading for the pine forest of Is Arenas to then head south again along the coast. After a couple of kilometers we’ll arrive at Capo Mannu thus ending our journey from Cape to Cape. We still have a beautiful bit of cycling to do though, making our way south, pedalling on the clifftops and along the wonderful beaches of the Sinis peninsula.

Our journey finally ends at the archaeological site, and wide sandy beach, of Tharros where we’ll celebrate with a refreshing dip in the Med and a cold beer in the local beach bar.

• Meals: Breakfast

We have a relatively early start to the day for our return journey to Cagliari after breakfast.