Another very early start. I admit to scoffing an apple I found in the kitchen along with some snacks I had in my food bag.  Packed and drier, though still damp, than the night before, I set off. The views continued to be wonderful. With long swooping descents to make up for the 18% climbs and occasional bull…..

Fuelling was a bit of a problem given the distance between the isolated villages but I was able to resupply and even have a ‘little red ambulance’ = the term given to a can of Coca Cola!

I was making may way to one of the bucket list places on the route – Matera. Where scenes were shot for the last Bond movie.

Arriving at Matera exceeded my expectations.  It was beautiful in the evening light and glowed gold.  I probably should have stopped and had something to eat but I felt the urge to push on.

The psychology of long distance riding is as important or may be more important than the physical side.  Reaching Matera meant I had done less than 140km that day and I had  a yardstick (or meterstick) that I needed to get close to 200km a day.  I wasn’t sure where I was going to stop but I had decided I would probably bivvy as the weather forecast was dry.

Meanwhile I needed some fuel.  I saw a petrol station and it seemed to have a shop behind it.  As I got closer I realised it was actually a shop with a restaurant for truck drivers. I decided it was worth stopping and eating properly as I would get nothing if I bivvied and I could also stock up on chocolate bars for the remaining distance.  The food was delicious!

Riding into the night by the moon and the iridescent light from the hilltop towns and villages was mesmerising.  The Exposure front light I had was very powerful, even on the low setting which meant it could last up to 18hrs.  The dark ahead of me was lanced by the front light and it enticed me forwards, protecting me from falling into potholes (if I kept my attention on the road).

I eventually decided to stop on the outskirts of a town, across the road from a lorry park, partly hidden between a hedge around a house and small copse of trees.  I got out the bivvy kit, snuggled down and was asleep in minutes.  I do seem to sleep easily in a bivvy.