Thanks, Scott. I guess adversity makes you stronger. It was a tough day but we stayed pretty upbeat throughout. The bike is amazing and that helped us a lot.

Haha - sometimes too easy! The Frasiers are going on a diet when we get home! :)

There were definitely moments when I envisioned large rocks lying under a shallow layer of asphalt. :) If we’re going to ride in places like this again, I’m investing in 2 thudbusters. Damn the weight, full speed ahead!

I think you nailed it, Steve. Once paved, always “paved”

Yes, in retrospect I think I was a bit optimistic in planning this day. If I were to do it over again, I think I’d break it up into smaller days. I also should have planned a rest day somewhere in the second half of this tour. We’re pretty cooked (both from heat and exercise) at the moment.

To be honest, Mark, it’s not something we usually worry about either. These Italian hill towns are like mazes, and Ostuni is really amazingly twisty and tight. It was unique for us, too!

Thanks, Rachael! We aren’t the bike touring legends that you and Scott are, but we do our best! Robin says thanks for appreciating the photos.

Thanks, Michael! I always enjoy your journals and I’d enjoy reading your impressions of a tour in this region.

I realized how little I've biked in Europe when I read the words, "We rolled the bike out of town on the only route we could find that didn’t have stairs." Not a problem I've ever experienced, but certainly hope to someday.

I'm really enjoying reading about your adventures!

Congratulations on completing such a challenging ride. I’m glad you got good weather! The photos are great!

That looks delicious!

Really enjoying reading your blog Rich and Robin, and you have some wonderful photographs- especially the pizza! We toured there by car way back, but have been inspired by descriptions like yours to revisit. Bonne route, Michael

"Paved" in the Ancient Roman sense, as in, it was paved during that era.

A lot of interesting/beautiful architecture today.

That’s a lot of miles in the heat! I’m not looking forward to the heat but the last time we were in Great Britain we only had 2 hot days and one of them was a layover day. In addition, we were staying across the street from a great ice cream place!