Locorotondo to Manduria - Puglia 🇮🇹 - CycleBlaze

November 14, 2024

Locorotondo to Manduria

Sadly we left Locorotondo in a drizzle this morning that was also an on and off rain until noon.  Since did a some dirt road riding where we got pretty dirty today and I added to the problem when I had a fall.  We were riding an 8km section of crushed stone of the Apulian aqueduct cycle pathway.  I look just like the GG at home but the thin layer of stone is sitting on wet, slippery stones.  Despite making only a gentle movement the bike went right out from under me before I knew it, and I hit the deck.  I have been moaning  all week about not having my clip in shoes and pedals but in this case it was a good thing.  The bike and I separated which prevented the fall from being much worse since these bikes must weigh 60lbs.  I have a few bumps and bruises now and I am sure there will be more tomorrow but I am ok and will continue to ride.  

As for scenery it wasn’t the best today and the weather didn’t help.  The first town that we passed through was Celine Messapica.  It is an ancient town founded by the messapian people who were here before either the Greeks or Romans.  We also passed through Francavilla Fontana known for its basilica.  Lastly we reached Manduria where we stopped for lunch.  After lunch we rode through serious Primitivo  (aka Zinfandel) wine country before reaching our accommodation.  We are staying at the Messaria Curtiri which is an old farm complex that has been turned into a winery, a restaurant and accommodation.  We are staying in the original farmhouse that is older than Canada.  They also have several separate suites. This type of accommodations is all over this region.  This place is still a working winery and olive producer and the property is massive, over 1 square mile large.  We have 2 nights here and we are complaining.

The route for today that was mostly down hill and ended up to be only 72km.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Riding the aqueduct section in the rain.
Heart 1 Comment 0
After my fall, I could have done without all of that mud. Fortunately the lovely people here are washing our clothes for us.
Heart 0 Comment 1
More of the aqueduct trail.
Heart 0 Comment 0
There were many of these puddles today.
Heart 2 Comment 0
Tim is searching for an open place to eat.
Heart 0 Comment 0
The basilica with a tiled roof was in Francavilla Fontana.
Heart 2 Comment 0
Tim and had the same thing for lunch, it was tagliolini (narrower tagliatelle) in a lemon pesto and sauce with zucchini and shrimp. Yum.
Heart 3 Comment 0
Primitivo vines
Heart 0 Comment 0
The entrance to our accommodation
Heart 0 Comment 0
Masseria Cuturi where we are staying for 2 nights.
Heart 0 Comment 0
The main lobby with reception to the left and the dining area to the right.
Heart 3 Comment 0
They still have the old kitchen which is functional.
Heart 1 Comment 0
The newer suites complete with outdoor hot tubs.
Heart 0 Comment 0
I got the good room tonight and Tim gets the sofa bed.
Heart 2 Comment 0
Dinner was include again tonight and it was set menu by the chef to highlight local cuisine. This was good and bad for me. The appetizer was a purée of beans (tasted like chickpeas to me) with cooked sweet peppers and croutons.
Heart 2 Comment 0
The first course was a broccoli risotto with hazelnuts around the edge. I didn’t eat the second course because it was octopus. Of course Tim ate it and he said it was good.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Tim’s octopus on a pumpkin purée, none for me.
Heart 0 Comment 0
Our lovely dessert of pastry with fruit a purée.
Heart 1 Comment 0
Plus some small pastries I think because I didn’t want to octopus or for them to make me anything else. We have now passed onto the company no more octopus please.
Heart 2 Comment 1
Bob KoreisAs delicious as octopus is when prepared well, I'm now in your camp. An octopus is an extraordinary being.
Reply to this comment
1 month ago

Today's ride: 72 km (45 miles)
Total: 510 km (317 miles)

Rate this entry's writing Heart 6
Comment on this entry Comment 1
Karen PoretHope you are cleaned up and feeling better! Falling is NO fun when we are of a “certain age”…
Reply to this comment
1 month ago