Biking Around The Heel Of Italy.

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So, the bike ride starts. Our itinerary is good with an assortment of terrain and scenery. The region of Italy is the heel of Italy, known as Apulia. We have more than 350 k's to ride and this time round we are all using E Bikes. Our intention is not to set any records, to take in all the sites with numerous stops for coffee/ refreshments.

We started our ride in Alberobllo, riding to Ostuni. A good ride for the first up. Next was Ostuni to Avetrana. A longer ride and we were thankful for the e bikes. Then Avetrana to Gallipoli, Gallipoli to Leuca, Leuca to Otranto, and finally Otranto to Lecce. So 6 days biking up some high hills, along some cycle tracks, but mainly on some roads, some with little traffic but some roads with heavy traffic or very heavy traffic. Along some amazing coastline with great headlands and some magic beaches. This whole area is lovely and most of the hotels we stayed at were great. The bonus of doing a trip like this is that the luggage is taken onto the next hotel, so when you arrive, there it is, and you can get changed after a refreshing shower and have a relaxing drink to celebrate another good day. A couple of hotels had swimming pools which is a real bonus, just to be able to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. Every day was above 30 dec and the sun lotion was in use all day. Apart from one day. when we were suddenly plunged into near darkness in mid afternoon as a front moved through with thunder and lightning and absolutely torrential rain drenching us all and even making it hard to see far down the roads. Of course the sun screen washed into our eyes and, boy did that add to the pain. Even though I sometimes think "what am I doing this for"I do love it" and when you get to the end of the day with a new hotel, a shower and a couple of drinks, you start to get the buzz of the achievement, thinking of the sights you have seen.

Charlie and Viv, Lorraine and Ian and Di and I have ridden together before and we have far more laughs and much more fun than the K's covered. So, 3 couples, 6 people, 12 legs and 12 knees. As 5 of those knees are new I think that Viv and Di can be extra happy about the fact that they rode every day and had no worries. Charlie is used to his new knee from nearly 3 years ago but Di had one knee done in July last year, and her other in Feb. Viv's new knees were done November last year. I think that they both can feel pretty pleased with themselves. Of course every night we had to eat and have a few refreshers in a variety of restaurants with various different meals on offer. All good and enjoyable and its interesting to eat a few different foods or preparations along the way. Good food, good wine or beer. What more can a guy ask for. Along the way there are some great beaches and the temptation to sample the water is very strong on those hot hot days, and finally while we were having a paddle at a beautiful beach, Lorraine couldn't help herself and threw herself in while wearing full riding gear apart from helmet. Some of the areas were lovely and, again you store the places in your mind and think, one day I'll come back here and stay a few days. Unfortunately it seldom happens.

Biking finished, we flew from Bari to Rome, Rome to Lisbon in Portugal, then Lisbon to Porto. This day started very early by road from Lecce to Bari then with airport waits and flights we arrived in Porto after midnight. A frustrating wait in Porto for Diane's bag with a no show, so 3 in the morning before reaching the Hotel Teatro with an agitated Di with no clothes for the next day. More later about that and our stay in Portugal. Pip/Rod

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Photos

Lets Go Biking.
About to leave Tullo at the start of our trip.

Through The Country Side.
Some lovely places we biked through.

Some Good Hand Signals.
Some good riding on roads with very little traffic.

Plenty Of Squares To Sit In.
We could discuss progress and the roads ahead.

Great Views.
Along the way a rest stop could have spectacular views.

Sometimes Very Busy Streets.
Often there was not much room for error.

Food Glorious Food.
Shop windows can be so so tempting.

Wonderful Alley Ways.
A secret around every corner.

Dusty, Bumpy Roads.
Sometimes you would question "what are we doing on this dusty track. We always made it though.

My Own House.
Yea! Right!!.

Charlie The Navigator.
He planned, lead, guided, and made things easy for us. The tour director.

Ian and Lorraine.
Ian helped with navigation, mechanical issues and humorous statements. Lorraine encouraged with a calming and good ideas. A good team.

A Big Part Of a Bike Tour.
Viv socialising, meeting, talking and finding out what, were and how other groups are doing.

Di The Observer.
Also always looking for the unusual photo.

Lunch Time.
Into a small market, buy a few items and find a place to eat it. In the town of Oria.

Help!! A Electrical Storm.
Torrential rain, thunder and lightning. We seek shelter an hope it won't last long.

Soaking Wet.
But happy as this cafe was open and the coffee kept coming.

Lorraine Being Abducted.
Her bike broke down so they came to help and transport bike and rider.

Di Trying To Be Brave.
After a days biking it's great to get into a pool to cool off.