Italy (Puglia) Sightseeing in Brindisi (Tue 1 May 2017)
Weather: 16⁰C min – 23⁰C max, clear and sunny
“It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels.” ~ Heinz Stücke, German long-distance touring cyclist
Like all ports, Brindisi has its seamy side, but it’s also surprisingly slow paced and balmy, particularly along the palm-lined Corso Garibaldi, which links the port to the train station, and the promenade stretching along the interesting lungomare (seafront).
Italy (Puglia) Stage 01 – Brindisi to Lecce 47 Km (Wed 2 May 2018)
Weather: 16⁰C min – 23⁰C max, clear and sunny
“With enough coffee anything is possible.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 02 – Lecce to Otranto 63 Km (Thu 3 May 2018)
Weather: 16⁰C min – 20⁰C max, wet – torrential at times
“A bad attitude is like a flat tire… you can’t go anywhere until you change it.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 03 – Otranto to Santa Maria Di Leuca 53 Km (Fri 4 May 2018)
Weather: 17⁰C min – 19⁰C max, mostly sunny
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” ~ Elizabeth West, US author
Italy (Puglia) Stage 04 – Santa Maria Di Leuca to Gallipoli 51 Km (Sat 5 May 2018)
Weather: 15⁰C min – 22⁰C max, fine but mostly cloudy
“Cycling isn’t a hobby for me, it’s my inner peace.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 05 – Gallipoli to San Pancrazio Salentino 54 Km (Sun 6 May 2018)
Weather: 16⁰C min – 20⁰C max, fine but cloudy
“Cycling: side effects include sweating, euphoria, and general awesomeness.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 06 – San Pancrazio Salentino to Ostuni 50 Km (Mon 7 May 2018)
Weather: 16⁰C min – 23⁰C max, clear and sunny
“If you see me on the ground could you please brush me off and put me back on my bike. Thanks!” ~ Unknown
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Italy (Puglia) Stage 07 – Ostuni to Alberobello 45 Km (Tue 8 May 2018)
Weather: 13⁰C min – 21⁰C max, mainly cloudy, light rain
“You are one ride away from a good mood.” ~ Sarah Bentley
Italy (Puglia) Stage 08 – Alberobello to Polignano 42 Km (Wed 9 May 2018)
Weather: 13⁰C min – 20⁰C max, fine, mostly sunny
“You’re off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” ~ Dr Seuss
Italy (Puglia) Stage 09 – Polignano to Gioia Del Colle 42 Km (Fri 11 May 2018)
Weather: 14⁰C min – 24⁰C max, clear and sunny
“Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 10 – Gioia Del Colle to Gravina In Puglia 62 Km (Sat 12 May 2018)
Weather: 15⁰C min – 22⁰C max, mostly sunny
“Life is like a pedal … they can push you down but you always come back up.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 11 – Gravina In Puglia to Trani 60 Km (Sun 13 May 2018)
Weather: 16⁰C min – 25⁰C max, clear and sunny
“Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still” ~ Chinese Proverb
Italy (Puglia) Stage 12 – Trani to Manfredonia 73 Km (Mon 14 May 2018)
Weather: 13⁰C min – 24⁰C max, mostly sunny
“Sorry I’m busy … I have to ride my bike!” ~ Unknown
Manfredonia is a port town founded by Swabian king Manfred, Frederick illegitimate son. Other than providing useful transport links and easy access to some great riding territory on the promontory, most will opt for a short stay. At the far end of the main drag, Corso Manfredi, is the town’s majestic castle, started by Manfred and completed by Charles of Anjou. Within it, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Gargano displays local finds.
Italy (Puglia) Stage 13 – Manfredonia to Vieste 62 Km (Tue 15 May 2018)
Weather: 10⁰C min – 19⁰C max, mostly cloudy
“It’s just a hill … get over it!” ~ Unknown
Manfredonia to Peschici (5-9 hours, 88km) A longish day punctuated by a number of climbs, the first (12.1 km) a moderate 3km at 5% not far out of Manfredonia and necessary to avoid a ghastly 2km tunnel. After skirting Mattinata (19.1km) the road is smooth and wide, rising and falling dramatically as it negotiates the rugged coast-line, offering sensational panoramas down to the sparkling waters of the Adriatic. The south coast of the promontory is noticeably drier and the vegetation sparser than on the northern side, so noon heat should be avoided. Thankfully, shady coastal pines bring welcome relief beyond 35km. There are numerous bars, restaurants, hotels and camping villages (many of which are seasonal) dotting the route, so rest stops and accommodation options are never far away. Vieste (61.8 km) is a bright and very popular seaside resort, loaded with tourist facilities, and boasting some great beaches.
With a scintillating switchback descent from 800m to the coast, the last leg to the ride end in Manfredonia is quick and easy.
Italy (Puglia) Stage 14 – Vieste to Rodi Garganico 43 Km (Wed 16 May 2018)
Weather: 12⁰C min – 21⁰C max, clear and sunny
“Don’t look back … you’re not going that way.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 15 – Rodi Garganico to San Severo 64 Km (Thu 17 May 2018)
Weather: 13⁰C min – 24⁰C max, clear and sunny
“The more you dream the farther you get.” ~ Unknown
Italy (Puglia) Stage 16 – San Severo to Foggia 34 Km (Fri 18 May 2018)
Weather: 14⁰C min – 22⁰C max, mostly cloudy, rain showers
“Whoever invented the bicycle deserves the thanks of humanity” ~ Lord Charles Beresford
Italy (Puglia) Sightseeing in Naples (Sun 20 May 2018)
Weather: 15⁰C min – 24⁰C max, clear and sunny
“You can’t be sad while riding a bicycle” ~ Unknown
Guess what I had to eat on my first night in the birthplace of pizza!