Leuca to Gallipoli - My love you didn't need to coax - CycleBlaze

November 2, 2024

Leuca to Gallipoli

Along the Ionian Sea

We started  our day with the standard continental breakfast: some fruit, yogurt, corn flakes, coffees and a piece of rich chocolate cake that would be a great dessert after any dinner. Showing some will power, we split a piece of the cake for breakfast! 

We loaded up the bikes and began riding downhill to Leuca`s waterfront. There, we turned west to begin following a coastal road to our destination of Gallipoli. The weather was once again warm enough for light layers but the head wind from the north made us work a bit harder.

We were surprised at how much more developed this coast was than the Adriatic side.  Thinking that it's maybe due to gentler slopes down to the waster`s edge. Much of our ride was at or not far above sea level. It was great with interesting roads, lots to see and only light traffic.

The lady behind Pat greeted us when we arrived yesterday looking for our BnB. Thankfully she understood some English and helped us store our bikes and get access to our accommodation. Pat had shed her outer layer within 200 metres!
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Back out to the coast looking North. We are heading beyond the white buildings on the point in the distance.
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Our road was often level, straight, smooth and fast. A few more cars today but the traffic was still light.
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Cacti forest! So many out on the coast.
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Our route along the coast took us through many beachfront communities. Most of the shops, restaurants and homes looked closed up. This store was one of the few that was open, so we stopped and bought some water.
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They had some great looking melons, too.
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Wide open board walk at Posto Vecchia was fun to ride.
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Looking south, the beach is rocky here.
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But a nice sandy beach was just up the road a bit.
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There were a few signs letting us know that it is a ¨free beach for all¨. Always a bit funny for Canadians.
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Mike AylingAnd Aussies!
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1 week ago
Steve Miller/GrampiesFree beach as opposed to what?
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1 week ago
Scott FenwickTo Steve Miller/GrampiesHi Steve,
Many beach areas here are developed into beach clubs that you pay to go into a defined area. They will have chairs and umbrellas as well as perhaps a snack bar. These ¨clubs¨ can have decking and other infrastructure and appear to be dismantled now that summer is over. But this area had several spots where you could enjoy the beach area at no cost. Imagine that!
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1 week ago
Lunch stop for a sandwich and a coffee in Torre San Giovanni. Martinucci is a popular bakery chain in the Puglia region.
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Anne MathersHey., we had lunch here too. Met a lovely couple from Austria and had lunch with them.
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1 week ago
Also looking for lunch.
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The traffic speeds became slower and the roads downgraded a bit through some towns. The signage even recognized cyclists.
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The coast had some large communities but it was very quiet with few people to be seen anywhere.
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Our destination comes into view. The old town of Gallipoli is furthest out on the left.
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The nicest riding of the day was behind the sand dunes on a car free road just outside of Gallipoli.
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This nice road will take you almost all the way there.
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The fortified old section of Gallipoli.
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We stopped at this small piazza for a beer while we waited for our check in time.
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Everyone here loves gelato and they just happen to serve beer, too!
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We are staying just around the corner from here.
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On our way, we passed the basilica of Sant'Agata which is the cathedral of Gallipoli. It is just steps from our BnB.
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Our host was waiting for us when we arrived outside the large double doors of the  17th-century building where we will be staying. Its age and rustic charm are key selling points in an enclave of very historic buildings. He helped by carrying  Pat`s bike up to the second level where we stored them in a spare sitting room. We cleaned up and walked around a bit before settling on a restaurant for pasta dinners once again. Of course we shared a cup of gelato on the way home to finish off another great day of cycle touring in Puglia. We will stay over an additional day in Gallipoli to look around some more.

A street in Gallipoli in ythe evening.
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Today's ride: 52 km (32 miles)
Total: 429 km (266 miles)

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