An early start to catch the 7:00am FrecciaBianca to Ferrara, 7 1/2 hours in which to rebuild the legs for the next round of riding. It’s another clear blue sky day, forecast to be 30C + so it’s a good day to spend in an air conditioned train, as we hurtle through the countryside at 200kms/hr. Travelling from the south of the country to the north, it was amazing to see how the countryside changes. From olive trees and some, but not too many grape vines in a ...

Our last day riding with Puglia Cycles, and it was a very hot 65km. We travelled inland from the coast and then with a sudden climb after leaving Otranto, we headed north to Lecce. The little bit of altitude seemed to make all the difference to the countryside. Thick carpets of wildflowers all the way, and the first dairy cattle we have seen the whole time, although we have smelt them at times as we rode past the farms. The roads were almost void of traffic all...

Leaving Borgagne after a coffee at a local cafe, we were once again on the road, this time to the coastal city of Otranto. Another day of olive groves, fields of poppies, wild flowers and country lanes with occasional dirt tracks just to sharpen the senses. The highlights were a stop off at Torre dell'Orso where there was a spectacular rock pool/ grotto with crystal clear water. Jean managed to defy all common sense and clamber around the rocks to get yet another...

Out of Ostuni and a 14km ride to the train station in Carovigno. 1 hr should be plenty, as it’s all downhill from Ostuni. Wrong. It was down one hill and up the next. Throw in a completely unnecessary tour of Carovigno, yet another hill top town, we raced the last 8kms to the station with less than a minute to spare, arriving in a lather of sweat and gasping. On to the train and with Jean’s bike in the rack ( no room for mine) and her in a seat ( I had to ...

The ride from Monopoli to Ostuni was today’s challenge. Although it was only 25C, down among the stone fences and olive groves, with no shade, it started to take its toll. But, who could complain about a break or two, having a snack under an olive tree. The road from Monopoli along the coast is Puglia’s version of the Great Ocean Road - wonderfully scenic but it was like being in the middle of the Grand Prix. Although they were driving fast, the Italian driv...