The day starts slow and gets even slower riding up and down the seemingly endless local hills. I consider trying to just ride towards the next mountain, so I can get more than 15 minutes of up- or downhill section. At least I make the most adventurous regional crossing possible, first riding through an overgrown path and then an old field, the crossing over the (almost dry) Olfanto river into Apulia.
But then the sun, headwind and heat return over a long stretch until I reach Accadia, a nice little town on a hill. Filling up my water reserves and resting a while helps recover my spirits. From here on, the mountains aren’t high either, but somehow it’s nicer to ride now. Perhaps it’s also the clouds hiding the sun now and then. Or the dismal state of the roads. Anyway, the last few kilometres are pretty fun again. I’m somewhere in nowhere now, between Apulia and Campania. No big towns, no road maintenance. As I come up a steep climb, I’m greeted by a dozen dogs shooting out from a farm entrance. The owner is quick to reign them in though, and I’m escorted to the next road croasing by an enthusiastic child running next to me.
And in the end, the clouds make a beautiful evening light over the fields.
