Apulia by bike

The Official Tourism Board of the Province of Bari together with the “Ruota Libera” Association are promoting a new programme of bike tour routes called "Apulia by bike".

The programme consists of 10 routes that cover the most interesting and evocative areas in the province of Bari:

1.    The Cathedrals by the sea
2.    In the steps of Frederick II
3.    On Hannibal’s trail
4.    Pedalling in the Murge
5.    From the dolmens to the Cathedrals
6.    Travelling through time
7.    The Oak route
8.    On bike, across the country and the caves
9.    Through vineyards and cherry trees
10.    The Itria Valley

We highly recommend "On Hannibal's trail" and "The Oak route". Both routes are very original because they rediscover the historic, archaeological and naturalistic beauty of Apulia.
"On Hannibal's trail" is a cycle touring route with no altimetric difficulties. It is 62 kilometres long, plunged in a natural landscape of vineyards and olive trees and it runs through three myths of the Italian history: the battle of Canne, the challenge of Barletta and the marvels of ancient Canosium (today Canosa).
“The Oak route” is very easy to cycle. It is 77 kilometres long and it crosses Bitritto and Sannicandro, the quarters of Cassano delle Murge and Acquaviva delle Fonti. At a later point, the “cycling tourist” can choose  to follow some of the routes planned along the streets of these communes all skirted by oak woods.
The “Ruota Libera” Association offers information sheets detailing all routes and a map as well as useful information about the difficulties of each route and the bicycle-train intermodality.
Each route actually alternates the use of the bicycle with that of the train in accordance with the Agreement between the Region of Apulia, Arem (Regional agency for mobility), Trenitalia, Ferrovie Sud Est, Ferrovie del Gargano, Ferrovie Appulo Lucane and Ferrotranviaria. The Agreement states that the bicycles will travel for free on regional trains.
According to aforementioned Agreement, the rail transport society has committed to creating routes, indoor and outdoor parking areas and garages and providing for rental services. Travelling on a train with a bicycle is already allowed.
Passengers should inform the train conductor that they are travelling with a bicycle and the train conductor will grant them a free ticket.
The 10 routes and their information sheets and maps are available at  http://www.ruotaliberabari.it/APT-FlashTour6