Milan-Pantelleria in MBK Booster: VIDEO REPORTAGE of an extreme adventure on a scooter

Federico Sambruni did it! He has reached Pantelleria riding his MBK Booster 50cc. The goal of the project was to reach the island in Booster to make a documentary that could enhance the beauty of the island and the passito di Pantelleria.

1500 km, 18 days of travel of which 10 in the rain

Wet start, lucky start, they say. Our videomaker's motorbike journey begins right in the rain, and with the bad weather that will follow him for a long time during his itinerary. Ber Racing helmet well fastened, Tucano Urbano rainproof equipment, boots and off we go! The little fifty immediately launches into the spectacular curves of the Trebbia Valley, a route definitely appreciated by two-wheel lovers, which connects the areas of Piacenza directly with the sea. Exactly here among the Apennines they registered 5°C, the lowest temperature of the entire trip. “I didn't think it was so cold – Federico told us – One of the saddest experiences was arriving at a bar after hours riding under water and not being able to go in to drink something hot due to ministerial restrictions. So much so that I had to "settle" outside, cold under a roof." The journey continues and the bad weather gives no respite even on the sea. Chiavari, Manarola e Livorno, a series of stages between rain and sunny spells, between cloudy skies and flashes of sunshine. “I have visited the Cinque Terre, but I would have loved to enjoy them in the sun and riding my scooter. I also did a short trek through the vineyards of Manarola and, immersed in all that beauty, I understood that this journey needed a turning point." A turning point that came after a long time 22 hours by ferry who took him from Livorno to Palermo, because once he landed in Sicilia riding the Booster, Federico put the rain jacket in his bag for the first time and finally experienced the thrill of traveling under the sun in short sleeves. After having visited Palermo He has reached Trapani traveling approximately 150 km, passing through Scopello tuna factory, from the steep streets of Erice and by saline, given that the "windy city" is the embarkation point for the island of Pantelleria.

Eight days for the making of the documentary

The first days were dedicated to scouting and the organization, to both become familiar with the territory and to get to know the winemakers he would interview in the following days. Pantelleria it is anything but small: the perimeter road is more than 60 km long and the highest peak reaches 800 meters above sea level. The territory is vast and varied, and for this reason it is rich in microclimates which significantly influence the vineyards and consequently the production of passito. Discovering the island in eight days is practically impossible, especially if video shooting takes up most of the day. “One of my biggest fears was that I might break them suspensions of the Booster along the dirt roads of the island, because in the end I found myself riding an almost 30 year old scooter, and although I was careful and well equipped with various spare parts, I certainly didn't have a spare pair of forks. In addition to all this, imagine breaking the suspension right in the place where he doesn't reach for the phone."

Pantelleria it is large, but it is still an island and the charm of traveling those roads on two wheels is incomparable to a trip by car. Indeed May it is a more unique than rare month to admire southern Italy, because unlike the scorched and golden summer clearings, you fill your senses with green meadows and Mediterranean scents. “One of the pillars of this journey was the scooter with which it was done”. A Booster First series of the 1994, a rare model highly sought after by enthusiasts, which led Federico Sambruni to Pantelleria, one of the most extreme places in Italy.