Cycling in Italy - Day 16: Puglia to Campania

29 / 07 / 2013

Zippers starting to quit their jobs

It was about time to visit another region of Italy. After 2 weeks in Puglia, Campania was my next stop. I took my bicycle to a regional train, from Taranto to Pontecagnano, a town outside of Salerno.

No pole dancing in the station

Empty train station of Taranto

After some hours, I was in Pontecagnano. My goal was to reach a small village called "San Mango Piemonte" and meet my host, Antonio.

*Piemonte means "at the feet of the mountain". So, it was my first time on this trip that I had to go up.

Entering Salerno

On the way to San Mango

Every time that I asked someone about the way to San Mango, tha answer was the same: it's right after the uphill. I got this responce about 5 times.

Going up...

Same story: heavy bike + luggage + electric motor/battery/charger that don't work + heavy Alex.

At some points I had to take the bike in my hands and walk with it. The heat was laughing on me.

...and up...

San Mango Piemonte

Finally at some point I reached San Mango. Antonio had showed up to lead me for the last kilometers. After a little rest we cycled down to Salerno.

Seaside of Salerno

This time I was lucky. Antonio was a bicycle specialist. And because he lives in San Mango, he has an electric bike that he build himself, in order to go up and down to Salerno. So, after some magic tricks he did on my bike, I could finally enjoy some electric assistance!

Antonio doing his magic

After a day of adventure, all I needed was a good meal. I was lucky again. As it turns out, pita gyros (a greek fast food delicacy) is quite famous in Salerno.

Ok, when you try something like pita gyros in an other country, you don't expect to feel like home. But this time it did. The taste was exactly as they do pita gyros in Athens. I had no problem with that.

When we got home, I slept for 14 hours straight. Or maybe more.
I started to like Campania.

End of Day 16.