Back roads

Our final day of cycling took us along small back roads such as the one pictured. We worked our way to the eastern most point of Italy with Croatia, Albania and Greece coast lines not far away though not visible with hazy conditions. Our ride also took us along the sea shore but became very challenging as the road rose up many hills which finally became too much for me and I opted for a ride in the support van for the last few miles. Other highlights of the day were a very tasty picnic lunch over looking the sea and a visit to a private home to see a demonstration of hand made pasta as it has been done done for generations.

Otranto

Our 20 mile ride today took us thru villages and courtyard back roads some with hills most of which I was able to make. Lunch stop was Otranto a seaside town pictured above. We joined 5 others from the tour at outdoor tables for a lunch of rustici a hot pocket type sandwich of cheese and tomato sauce. Quite tasty but not too much to have room for Gelato coffee gelato served with expresso a dish called affogatti a meal in itself. Lots of people were cooling in the Adriatic waters which were very shallow near the shoreline. Sailboats could be seen in the distance but didn't seem to have much wind. We remounted our bikes and rode away from the town and the sea to our Masseria our home for the next 2 nights a beautiful peaceful place in the countryside. Tonight we will return to Otranto for more touring and dinner. It will be difficult to match last nights multiple course feast of local medieval specialities.

Trulli

Today we rode a shuttle van to Alberobello, aUNesco World heritage site because of it's many loose stone cylinder buildings with cone shaped tops some having mysteries chalk marks to "ward off evil or to bless the house. Our tour guide was a young California woman who had fallen in love and stayed here. She said the original trullis were built by Turks trying to avoid paying taxes assessed based on roofs. The could remove a stone and collapse the roof. Later used for storage the are now used again as housing. She arranged for us to visit one such property in the town. Many are also used as gift shops in the popular tourist town. We saw many more trullis as we pedaled 24 miles through the countryside.

Olive Oil

Today's ride was18 miles for me. I opted out of 7 more which were advertised to be mostly uphill. Olive trees of all sizes and shapes were along the way. Our first stop was an olive oil museum which stopped production in the 40s but illustrated the equipment and process that had been used. Today the former family farm is a popular place for weddings and the evidence of a recent one was still there. As in other Masserias there is a small chapel that was used by the workers and family. This was also true at our lunch spot a still active olive oil producing Masseria where we had a six course lunch featuring their organic home grown produce. We were encouraged to try different olive oils with the different courses. I purchased a bottle of one of them. We are now in Ostuni further south in Puglia area and known for their white buildings as the pearl. From this hilltop town the Adriatic can be seen in the distance. Photo taken as some of our group stopped to photograph farm workers in the fields. Much of planting and harvesting done by hand including olives shaken from trees into nets.

Last day for beach

We rode 26 miles today, 17 of them with a strong head wind along the dark and turquoise Adriatic Sea. In town of Monopoli visited a beautiful Baroque church with marble mosaics, then walked part of business area before a great lunch of salad, carprese, and steamed mussels at recommended all fish restaurant with stone vaulted walls and ceiling. Followed another recommendation a gelateria where I had a combination watermelon lemon ice. On our return to Masseria took advantage of shuttle to beach club for long walk amidst waves. Tomorrow we ride to our next hotel.

First ride

Our two leaders Laura and Guilliano
show us our bikes and equipment before beginning out first ride which included a visit to an archeological site dating back to pre history. Work was in progress as we toured. Part of the Apian way which goes to Rome could be seen.

Olive Trees

Staying our first nights at Masseria Torre Coccaro a luxurious small inn built out of a former (16th century) farm complex complete with a chapel. It is close to the Adriatic along which we walked a harbor this morning in Savelletri. Olive trees including ancient ones are everywhere including on the Masseria property as the one pictured. Also seen fig and pomegranate trees, many planets we have in Florida and agricultural produce including chard and zucchini. Prickly pears are numerous and we hope to sample the cooked version. This afternoon is our first bike ride and orientation meeting. There are about 22 in the group. Weather perfect today.