Alessano Bike Ride

A popular bike ride in the heart of Salento

The Alessano Bike Ride is a non-competitive cycling event held in Alessano, a town in the province of Lecce, in the Lower Salento region of Puglia. Organized by Pro Loco Alessano APS-ETS in collaboration with ASD MTB Alessano, the event is designed as a true leisure ride on two wheels: eco-friendly, sporty, and social, open to cyclists of all ages and skill levels.

Meeting point and spirit of the event

Participants meet in Piazza Don Tonino Bello, the main square of Alessano named after the bishop of peace, a figure deeply connected to this area of the Capo di Leuca. From here, a collective, peaceful, and safe ride begins, with social interaction and sustainable mobility as its core values. There are no rankings or timers: the goal is to be together, rediscover the landscape, and promote the use of the bicycle as a gentle and environmentally friendly means of transport.

The route between Alessano and Montesardo

The route winds along the country roads connecting the center of Alessano to its hamlet of Montesardo, an ancient village of Messapian origins perched on a hill from which the view sweeps over the two seas of Salento. The track crosses a typical rural landscape made of centuries-old olive trees, dry-stone walls, pajare (traditional stone huts), and stretches of Mediterranean scrub, which are defining elements of the Capo di Leuca countryside. The ride is generally accessible to families and amateur cyclists.

A community event

The Alessano Bike Ride was born from the desire of the Pro Loco and local associations to animate the town with an inclusive and participatory initiative. Over the various editions, the event has involved local associations committed to volunteering, environmental protection, and the promotion of amateur sports, confirming itself as a highly anticipated appointment in the community life of Alessano.

Alessano and the Lower Salento

Located a few kilometers from Santa Maria di Leuca and the extreme tip of Puglia, Alessano is a village rich in history linked to the memory of Don Tonino Bello. Participating in the bike ride also means discovering, at a slow pace, an authentic corner of Salento far from the most crowded tourist routes, among peasant traditions, hospitality, and Mediterranean nature.