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Domenico

A view of Sicily with Domenico Megna

By VITTI Cycling

January 18^th, 2023

Sicily has never been high on our list of places to visit to ride. That is a huge mistake on our part, one which we eagerly look forward to rectifying soon.

Domenico Megna is from Sicily. He has been a member of our family for just about a year now and during that time has shared with us an incredible photographic collection of life in Sicily. His photos are honest and beautiful. They are not only of his cycling life but also give us a deep sense of the place he calls home.

Domenico lives in Palermo where he has shared with us a view of not only cycling but also city life and the rolling landscapes that he is so very lucky to have in his own backyard. His photos feel like film stills, each one holding within it a narrative of life in Sicily. Through his images we are transported to a place of idyllic landscapes and seaside views that are contemplative and quiet. His photos of his rides make us feel as if we are there alongside him.

Tell us a bit about yourself, Where are you from?

My name is Domenico Megna, I turned 50 not so long ago. I literally love cycling even though I only started practicing it in adulthood.

Where do you currently live?

I live in Sicily, in Palermo.

What do you do when you’re not riding bikes and thinking about riding bikes?

I generally take advantage of these moments to plan future rides. I create new tracks in .gpx format to add to my favorite routes or plan new rides with friends with whom I share this passion.

What is your riding history, how did you get into cycling and how long have you been riding?

It happened a little less than ten years, in an absolutely unpredictable way. In short, a problem with my motorcycle put me in the position of having to find an alternative way to go to work (I hate doing it by car), and the condominium where I lived at the time had an old bike available to the condominiums. I took it, on the advice of my ex-wife, and, after the first two / three days, I began to love the beauty of this type of travel.

What do you do when you’re not riding?

Other passions that I have cultivated since I was a boy are music, photography and reading. I love to listen to it music on various types of musical supports and, even today, I continue to buy and collect vinyls.

What are your most favorite climbs?

The ones I love most here are Pizzo Manolfo, Monte Gradara, Piana degli Albanesi, Piano Battaglia. None of these are famous climbs but they are the ones where we usually ride.

How many bikes do you have? Which one is your favorite?

At the moment I have three bikes. One road, one MTB and the city bike that I use every day to go to work.

How many more do you want?

I don't have an answer to this question, it will always be one more than I already have :)

Why do you ride?

For the sense of freedom that cycling can give me, for the absolutely unique point of view on everything around me while riding.

How often do you get out?

Three or four times a week with road bike or MTB, but thanks to commuting I can ride practically every day.

Are you training for anything special?

No, just for my personal pleasure.

How do you deal with the off season? Are you a trainer junkie or do you brave the winter?

Until now I have always preferred to face the winter on the road but I am thinking of buying a trainer next fall.

Would you rather ride alone or with people?

I alternate solo rides with others in which I go out with my best friend, or with other friends however much more rarely.

What bike are you on mostly?

The road bike is the one I've used the most since I bought it last winter.

Worst thing that happened to you on a ride? Ever crash?

An accident, last April 29th. I fell due to a barely visible gutter grate. I have suffered several bruises and a fracture of three ribs.

Fastest descent?

The descent that leads to the town of Torretta, one of my absolute favorites

Most brutal climb?

One of the several roads leading to Pizzo Manolfo, the climb called Località Inserra. Relatively short, absolutely brutal.

Hardest race / ride?

I have never participated in a competition. The hardest is the route for a randonee that I already have planned. 200 km with just under 4000 m in altitude

Pre ride rituals?

I always dress wearing clothing from the left side, bottom up. I drink a coffee before each ride

Post ride pint?

Very often (almost always) I drink a coffee even when I return. But I happen to replace coffee with a beer or a glass of wine if I drink coffee while pedaling

Favorite Pizza?

Diavola

Most epic climb?

In Sicily Mount Etna... this is also scheduled, from many of its sides.

What rides are on your bucket list? How many have you ticked off as done?

2000 meters of elevation gain in a single ride, already done. The goal is now 200 km in a single ride 3000 m in altitude (See the randonee above).

What’s your biggest pet peeve on a group ride?

In principle, I try to avoid cycling with too many groups. Difficult to agree with so many cyclists, we are rather complicated people ...

Favorite recovery meal?

I don't know if it can be considered as a recovery meal but I usually eat a very large plate of pasta after a ride.

Favorite Pro rider?

Among the active cyclists Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu Van der Poel and Wout Van Aert.

Alive or dead, name one person you’d want to ride with, one to drop on a ride and one to get a post ride pint with.

Riccardo Magrini, for all three questions.

What scares you on a ride?

After the accident I am a little more afraid of ending up on the ground again.

What’s three things in your jersey that you never leave without?

Isotonic gels, zippered case for phone and documents, spare second inner tube (you can't get enough)

Favorite quote?

After the curve it flattens out… :-)))

Domenico

A view of Sicily with Domenico Megna

A portfolio from Simon Winnall

a look behind the curtain

after hours in the city

June 7^th, 2023

A portfolio from Rennie Solis

April 28^th, 2023