”The roads are succulent and bountiful, and the food and wine leave you breathless. The Pinarello bikes are to the highest standard of the purest gourmand. The personalities are rich and bold, yet full of subtle surprises. All is to be savored—and devoured.
Bill StricklandBicycling Magazine
8 Sep 2024
14 Sep 2024
Puglia
Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, is an enchanting region full of medieval hilltop villages and charming little towns, with a landscape that is dominated by picturesque vistas of vineyards and olive groves, rolling over unspoiled countryside, and of course, mile and mile of pristine coastline along the beautifully blue Adriatic Sea.
It has long been a favorite destination for Italians seeking sand and sunshine, not least because the country’s culinary cognoscenti rank it as one of the best places to eat in the Bel Paese – a statement that no one can make lightly. Local produce is the star of Puglian cuisine, and from the seasfood to the freshly picked greens, you won’t find better ingredients anywhere. And as for the wine, whether it’s Salice Salentino, Negroamaro, Primitivo, or the Bombino Nero, there’s a world of interesting flavors waiting to be discovered.
The riding will be as vibrant and as varied as the region’s terrain, and whether we’re cruising along the shore or climbing deep into the mountains of the Gargano National Park, there will not be a dull moment in this unforgettable week.
Included With Trip:
- All lodging*
- All food and beverages**
- Pinarello Dogma F Disk with SRAM RED eTap AXS
- Daily Bike Wash
- Custom Castelli × inGamba cycling kit
- Daily post-ride massage from a professional soigneur
- Laundry service for cycling clothing
*Pre/post-trip lodging is not included
**Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges
MEET THE GUIDES
EROS POLI
THE CHAMPION
The night before Eros Poli took victory atop Mont Ventoux he couldn’t sleep. It was not like he was dreaming of victory or even had the slightest idea the next day’s stage would change his life forever. It was just that it was hot. Unbearably, unsleepably hot in his less-than stellar French hotel. His roommate had taken his mattress off the bed and was sleeping on the small balcony outside their room. And the man who would shortly become known as Monsieur Ventoux was watching football, Italy vs. Brazil in the World Cup final, to be exact. Italy lost. The following morning as Eros dragged his weary, tired legs out of bed and down the stairs, as there was no lift, James Brown came into his head. “I feel good, I knew that I would now,” started to repeat over and over in his head. As it would the rest of the day. He felt good and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sancho da Cruz
The late bloomer
Sancho had a late start to cycling, but he has been very passionate about bikes ever since. His love for the sport even made him change career paths to race professionally — until, oh, the pandemic. Covid saw him go back to school; he became one of our guides after interviewing João for his masters final thesis on Active Tourism. Today, he is more than happy to share his passion for the sport with you, helping you on and off the bike, whether your goal is to go full gas or simply take it easy and make the most of the scenery.
THE TRIP AT A GLANCE
START LOCATION:
FINISH LOCATION:
TOTAL ELEVATION:
5,495m
TOTAL DISTANCE:
451km
DAYS RIDING:
6
GROUP SIZE:
8-14
LONGEST DAY:
Day 4 | 110km
Matera
BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:
Day 4 | 1,469m
Matera
DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN
PINARELLO DOGMA F
Seven of the last 11 Tours de France have been conquered on a DOGMA, and the latest generation is now ready to continue that legacy of success. Whatever the road throws at you, the DOGMA F is always the right bike.
WHEELSET:
Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless
FRAMESET:
Pinarello Dogma F
COCKPIT:
ZIPP Service Course SL
TIRES:
Vittoria Corsa N.Ext
GRUPPO:
SRAM RED eTap AXS
BOTTLE CAGES:
Elite Custom Race
PEDALS:
Speedplay
BIDON:
Elite Corsa Team
SADDLE:
Prologo
COMPUTER:
Garmin Edge 1030
COLOUR:
InGamba Red
