The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Puglia (Italy) Land Of History, Scenery, Beaches - Sec 2

September 20th to October 3rd

Ride Coordinator: Alma Worthington
Report by: Steven Greenzang

Matera to Lecce with stops in Locorotondo, Polignano a Mare, Torre Del Diamante (near Fasano], Mesagne, Otranto and Gallipoli. Sun, stones, history, cuisine, culture and cycling all merged in a memorable ride through the southeastern section of Italy

We met in the ancient city of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we enjoyed a walking tour through ancient caves used as homes through the mid 20th century.  After the tour we dined and danced on local foods in a former winery to the sound of local musicians using traditional instruments including the cupa-cupa and zampogna (an Italian version of bagpipes).

On route to Locorotondo, we passed solar panels and wind turbines, lunched at a cheesery where we, sampled local cheeses, bread, fruit, wine and water, then continued riding next to fields lined with stone walls, saw olive trees and vineyards heavy with grapes and some harvesting beginning, as well as herds of milk cows and the black horses-a breed native to the area.

On our non-travel day in Locorotondo, cycling options included another UNESCO World Heritage site, Alberobello, which features “Trulli” circular homes with conical roofs made of layered stone, as well as the nearby city of Martina Franca.

We then continued our ride on bike paths and narrow roads to the beautiful port city of Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic Sea. 

Continuing along the Adriatic Sea, we travelled through the beach/port city/fishing village of Monopoli, then turned inland and rode past ancient olive trees, other fruit bearing trees, as well as fields with vegetables and other crops.

On route to Mesagne from near Fasano, we passed through the white city on the hill (Ostuni), where some observed a wedding party gathering in the town’s central square with a drone flying overhead- an interesting contrast from the Cathedral’s Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine elements. That evening, Giovani offered an interesting and informative doctoral level seminar on olive oil.

During a walking tour of Lecce, it was challenging to process the unique and distinguishing characteristics of Renaissance, Counter-Reformation, Baroque and Rococo architecture.

Travelling from Lecce to Otranto, many of us stopped at the grotto where inspired by one person’s leap of faith and another’s diving prowess, a few of us overcame fear and jumped into the grotto waters.  The coastal landscape grew increasingly more spectacular.

On our non-travel day in Otranto, some shared a taxi down to Santa Maria di Leuca, while others made the trip on bicycles.  Santa Maria di Leuca is the point where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet in breathtaking fashion. 

The next day some chose to travel from Otranto to Gallipoli via Santa Maria di Leuca, while the rest of the group took a less challenging route. On each of our 2 nights in Gallipoli, Alma arranged for us to meet as a group for a cocktail hour to watch the sun set into the Ionian Sea.  A magically beautiful moment.

People spent our nontravel day in Gallipoli at the beach, exploring the area and/or enjoying the old city. 

The first half of the ride from Gallipoli to Lecce offered spectacular views of the sea and cliffs.  That evening, we had one final group dinner at a local restaurant.

The next day we had breakfast, exchanged good byes, then went our separate ways with fond memories of 2 spectacular weeks.

This was my first BAC tour.  It has been an incredible 2 weeks.

It was great to finally meet Alma after a year and half email relationship during the planning of the tour.  I have incredible respect for all of the time and effort she put into planning and administering an event such as this.  I can only imagine the number of details requiring attention. 

We made many new friends. I hope we cross paths again through BAC or otherwise.