Rolling Along at Last
Italy (Puglia) Stage 01 – Brindisi to Lecce 47 Km (Wed 2 May 2018)
Weather: 16⁰C min – 26⁰C max, clear and sunny
“With enough coffee anything is possible.” ~ Unknown
Nothing could dampen my enthusiasm on this first day of my tour of Pulia. It wasn’t the most interesting day of riding I have ever had, but it was just good to be rolling along at the start of a new adventure.
Leaving Brindisi at around 9 am, the traffic was much heavier than I expected. Never mind, I will just ride on the footpath until I get out of town (as far as I am aware, this is not an offence here in Italy).
The sun was obscured by smokey grey cloud, but at least there was zero probability of rain and the temperature was a pleasant 24 degrees when I started, rising to a comfortable 26 degrees later. Initially there was a pleasant breeze in my face, not so nice though when it developed into a stiff headwind nearing Lecce.
Riding conditions were mixed. After leaving Brindisi I found myself sailing along on a quiet, narrow, sealed road running beside a railway line. Unfortunately this did not last because it soon gave way to crumbling, poorly maintained, SP (Strada Provinciale) roads for the next 20 km. But the last half of the trip provided good riding on smooth, traffic free, tertiary roads and then an off-road bike path for the last few km into Lecce.
For most of the ride the scenery was fairly unattractive, except for an occasional vineyard or olive grove. There were few photograph opportunities – there are only so many shots you can take of vines and olive trees!
Towns were few and far between, in fact there were only four between Brindisi and Lecce. The first two (Tuturano and San Pietro Vernotico) have seen better days, but at least the other two (Squinzano and Trepuzzi) put on a cheerful face with some houses brightly coloured (if not a little gaudy).
What made the day special was the amazing town of Lecce (pronounced “Lechay”). No wonder it is sometimes dubbed “the Florence of the South”, with all its incredible Baroque architecture (particularly Piazza del Duomo and Basilica di Santa Croce). Everywhere you look there are beautiful stone carvings and exceptional masonry. And then there is the Roman Amphitheatre – well-preserved Roman ruins right in the heart if town.
Now I know why the official “Grand Tour of Pulia” starts in Lecce – the stretch between Brindisi and Lecce is nothing to write home about! Let’s see what tomorrow’s 65 km ride to the seaside town of Otranto brings.
Sorry to hear your inaugural ride was on the uninspiring side (abundant red poppies notwithstanding). It must’ve been a huge relief and delight to reach Lecce. Impressive clowder of cats you captured, there! Bet you got bike envy when you spied that mauve tulle-twined one 🙂
I thought you would like the cats Sophie! It must be a cat town because another one poked its head into my room when I opened the balcony door yesterday.
You are so fit 65ks I woul b stopping after 1ks. I must say cats would not be my highlight of my ride. No fought as you continue you riding journey you will see more intestring and pretty places and not cats.
I hope you will not be drenched again during your ride. Ride on and be safe.