After the trials of Hurricane Giovani (blatantly made up) in the hills around Pisicotta yesterday, the boys were delighted to wake up early to sunshine and warm temperatures. Day 3 would see Miles and Gary take on another 92 miles up the coast to Salerno, then onto Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and finishing in the hectic southern city of Naples.
The first 20 miles took the boys up and down more testing climbs along the coast, eventually getting some relief from the hills at Paestum, a set of Roman ruins that looked like the set of Gladiator. No Russell Crowe, but our very own gladiators were realizing the challenge, heading off across the flat and featureless floodplain with a strong crosswind providing the opposition.
Another 25 miles covered, and the intrepid duo approached the urban jungle of Salerno, where the rules of the road are definitely optional. Every street is crammed with battered Fiat Pandas engaged in mortal combat with psychotic scooter riders and suicidal pedestrians. The pace dropped as the temperatures rose, providing the lads with a crash course (see what I did there?) in Latin motoring etiquette. Good training for the madness of Naples later in the day. Having escaped Friday lunchtime mayhem in Salerno, the hills above the Amalfi Coast provided yet another challenge, which the lads took on knowing that lunch lay around the next corner (or two!)
A fabulous little family-run restaurant provided a well-needed pasta refuelling session, and the boys then headed off towards Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius. The traffic was heavy for the whole route, and if anything, the standard of driving got even worse! Obviously, the Italian way is just to go for it, don’t worry about rights of way, traffic lights or stop signs.
Still, I suppose it keeps the ambulance drivers busy! Massive crowds of tourists milling around Pompeii provided another obstacle to overcome on a day that was fast proving to be one of the hardest ever, mentally as well as physically.
As the day drew to a close, the beautiful old city of Naples came into view, complete with cobbled streets and tramlines (much to Gary’s dismay!) Safety first, so we transferred to the van for the final kilometre into the old town, arriving at the hotel just before 5pm. 93 miles in the day (weaving around idiots must have added another mile onto the total!).
Tomorrow they carry on up the coast into Lazio province. Well done lads! 🚵♀️🚵♂️
Fantastic guys, we are following your progress daily. Well done xx