Morning traffic jams

Getting up at 05.00 is never a hardship. It’s dark and cool and no one is ever about and I enjoy that time of day with no disturbances. So when I woke this morning people were wandering about guys were coming in from the beach with fishing tackle, so I was already out of sorts. But still quiet in comparison with the day. Some young guys were just coming in from their nights out and one gave me a couple of small cakes for the road. It then when I got on the road the first few kms were quiet then suddenly a massive traffic jam5 maybe 10 in a of tailback. I didn’t like it, at 07.30 where are they going? The beach probably. I turned off down a side road and rode through swarms of small fliesI know horrible they were on me for the rest of the day, adhered by suntan cream and sweat. The road came to a dead Ok and anyway and I had to go back to the main road. Grrrrrr.I usually have a variety of stops coffee, cake, pizza, fruit whatever. And drink vast quantities. Every time I stop I drink a litre of fluid. Plus my Garmin telling me to drink every 15 mins. But usually at about 14.00 I’m tired. I have usually been cycling for about 5 hours the sun is at its zenith and the heat is so oppressive, today I sat and contemplated for a good 45 mins.

But time waits for no man and this region is famous for its buffalo mozzarella. I popped into a shop and bought a couple with some olives.

I really didn’t want any .Or he offered me more for free but I was full and had nowhere to store them on the bike-gutted, they were delicious and perfect with the olives.

It was a real struggle to get to Benevento I cruised around town.