Day 13: Benavento to Montemiletto

46 km (29 miles) – Total so far: 858 km (533 miles)

Benevento failled to impress. Especially when at 1:46 hrs the air conditioning failled. In this humid basin the place doesn’t get a temperature of lower than 26 C at night.

Delayed start therefore, but up again into the big hills! Good news, if for no other reason than the cooler evenings and mornings. These steep sided hills are unforgiving to cyclists though – a great place for the Giro d’Italia.

Amongst today’s highlights was lunch in Montefiore – an enforced long break due to everything being closed.

I’ve found a B & B in Montemiletto – that is what it is called – and at 23 euros a night offers pretty much everything; quiet room, wifi, friendly hosts, washing machine even!

Started today at 10:20 hrs. Max speed 44.4 km/hr, Moving time 4 hrs 1 min, Moving average 12.5 km/hr. Arrived in Montemiletto at 16:50 hrs. Elevation here is 602 metres. Elevation gained during the day 1205 metres

First big climb, the village of Santa Maria A Toro just below

Very stimulating drops and climbs every couple of kilometres

at San Martino Sanita, late morning for cold water break – top views of valley behind, if the view isn’t blocked

Rugby ground of Unione Rugby Sannio, formed in 1998 and currently playing in Serie B. they are still semi pro, and when in Serie A they imported Alejo Corral from San Isidro in Buenos Aires, who although Argetinian, played for Uruguay.

Famous landmark n the centre of San Georgio del Sannio

Couldn’t believe this sign – despite me going a kilometre out my way, the pub was of course very closed – in the height of summer it’s actually off-season here as its hot and everyone is al the beaches around Salerno and Naples