This coming weekend in Puglia will be a truly memorable one, with the return of the Giro della Murgia, celebrating its fourth edition . It's not a randonnée like all the others, and that's important to note, as it has distinctive features that make it unique. When discussing the event, it's important to understand that it's driven by the desire to publicize the region and experience it in a different way, specifically for cycling.
In describing it, organizing committee president Luigi De Gennaro always emphasizes the importance of avoiding anything that distracts from the beauty of the route , especially the stopwatch: "Cyclists are required to follow the route, which is provided to them via a track to follow on their smartphone. The average speed is between 18 and 28 kilometers. Those who complete it within this timeframe earn a brevet, because our test provides points for the Italian championship and other challenges."
How did you choose your path?
We want to introduce participants to the characteristics of our region, but we will push on as far as Matera, to show the Sassi, which are a true Italian heritage, and then we will continue on to the Murgia , the Alta Murgia Barese, Castel del Monte, Vinardino, Spinazzola, the entire area between Altamura and Gravina, which is right inside the Murge and tells the most authentic part of the territory.
Why this choice to leave the regional territory?
The reason for crossing the border was that, by leaving at 22 p.m., we wanted to take our participants to see the Sassi at night. I can assure you, it's a truly unique experience, a landscape you won't forget . We'll be passing right through the Sassi, so this option of "migrating" from the Murgia was chosen to offer something extra. The connecting road is simple and will allow us to re-enter the Murgia proper.
What are the other most characteristic points that the route touches?
Beyond Matera is Castel del Monte, the summer residence of Frederick II, known as Barbarossa, and its distinctive shape is always striking, especially for those who aren't from Puglia. It's a unique castle. Next, we'll head to Minervino Murge, where there's a mural dedicated to Lina Wertmuller , because she spent her summers there. Then we'll travel to Altamura to visit the megalithic walls, another characteristic of the place.
Technically, what is the event composed of?
We've planned two distinct routes. The main one, 300 kilometers long, has a first loop (the one leading to Matera) of 200 kilometers with 1.600 meters of elevation gain, which will wind mostly through the Alta Murgia National Park, and the second loop, 100 kilometers with 800 meters of elevation gain, will wind through the lower Murgia area of Bari. The route doesn't feature any major climbs, but rather many undulating sections with short, steep sections without very steep gradients . This one will start at 10:00 PM on Saturday, while the other, 100 kilometers, will start at 8:30 AM.
Are the participants mostly local or do they also come from other regions?
The participants are almost entirely from Central and Southern Italy, but many come from outside the region to experience the wonders of the Murgia , particularly from Campania and Lucania, which is directly involved this year. We also have participants from Rome...
How much is the choice to hold a non-competitive event linked to tourism?
It's an integral part of it. For us, it's not just a sporting event, but also a cultural one. You can enjoy the area, you can enjoy the ride without the stress of always having to push yourself to the max to achieve the best result—that's the difference. And what's more, you ride in company, which makes everything much more enjoyable and safe. We don't aim for huge numbers because we're a nighttime randonnée; it starts in the evening, and not everyone feels up to tackling the nighttime ride . Nighttime cyclists aren't something you can invent, but everyone who's done it says it's truly worth it.
How do you deal with the issue of road safety, especially at night and especially on Saturdays?
First, secondary roads are chosen, then the bikes are all equipped with front and rear lights, and the cyclists wear reflective vests. Truth be told, at night, contrary to what you might think, you can travel safely because there's not a lot of traffic, and riding in a group means you're highly visible. From experience, I can say that it's safer to ride a bike at night than during the day, because you're much more visible, the lights are really bright, and then, more than ever, there's strength in numbers...
