The Centre of Panoramic Puglia
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
Beautiful weather one day, perfect the next! Today is cloudless with a forecast maximum of 24 degrees, just right for cycling so I can’t wait to get rolling. The only problem is I have been waiting an hour for the neighbour Fabio to turn up to retrieve my bicicletta from his cellar. Oh well, I’ll just have to have another coffee and be patient.
Finally on my way, I soon found myself at peace riding along a country lane way called Strade Comunale Santa Teresa, with not a care in the world. Well-rested after my two days in Polignani, and caffeine-boosted after two cappuccinos and an espresso, I charged up the inclines, determined to make up for lost time.
More wonderfully gnarled old olive trees, plenty brilliant red poppies, lots of cherry orchards, with blue skies above, made for another pleasant day of riding in this beautiful area called Puglia.
Gioia del Colle is a little town in the heart of Puglia, strategically located half way between the Ionian and Adriatic seas to the east and west, and between the cities of Bari and Taranto to the north and south.
I was greeted by my host Sebastian at the fabulous Casa Ninè B&B, easily the best place I have stayed at on this tour. Sebastian made me feel very welcome, showing me the sights from the roof terrace and inviting me to help myself to anything in the kitchen. Naturally I couldn’t help myself when I saw the delicious home made cookies!
Gioia del Colle is yet another charming Puglian town, with lots of interesting architecture including several magnificent churches. After wandering through the narrow streets and alleyways for an hour or so I came to a lovely park where I am sitting on a park bench writing these words. Life is good!
Beautiful blue skies & perfect temperatures – sounds wonderful! Winter has definitely arrived in Sydney – you flew north at exactly the right time!
I have been lucky with the weather except for one bad day. A perfect cloudless 24 degrees forecast for the next couple of days.
Nice to have a perfect day for riding. You needed a god ride to “ride” off all those cookies you have polished off.
Don’t blame you the cookies do look pretty nice from the photos. Well done for yet another epic ride.. Hope the weather stay dry for you. Be safe and ride along.