Cycling Sunday, great success. But the rally is a slalom between parked cars

It was supposed to be a big party and it was, with eight hundred participants on the seafront ready to enjoy a day of sportfrom the sociality and fun. Enthusiasm skyrocketing, after a forced stop of five years, for the return of “Toast by bike”. Families, groups of friends and cycling enthusiasts met to celebrate together the return of a much-loved event which will reach its historic milestone of 50 years next year.

The discordant note

The parked cars long Corso Garibaldi and close to the gardens of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, from where at 9 o’clock, the festive caravan moved to reach the city neighborhoods. A situation that created quite a few inconveniences, with several cyclists having to deviate from the planned route, putting their safety and that of others at risk. «Despite the great commitment of the organizers – commented Oreste Pinto, former sports councilor – the return of “Brindisi by bicycle” represented yet another missed opportunity to promote Brindisi as a city suitable for children and families. “Toast by bicycle” is one of the key events of the sense of belonging to our community. One of the rare occasions when we form a group. For decades it has united Brindisi people of all ages who find themselves cycling together through the streets of the city, breathing in an atmosphere of celebration and sharing. It’s not about finishing first, it’s about enjoying every moment with friends, family and community. You expect enthusiasm – continues Pinto – to be accompanied by the desire to create a safe and welcoming environment. It happens that you find a route invaded by cars, which disturb the atmosphere and make it difficult to fully enjoy the cycling experience. Emptying the streets of vehicles during today’s cycle ride would not only have guaranteed the safety of the participants and promoted a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle, but it would have been a highly symbolic gesture. Corso Garibaldi and the port gardens could have been ideal places to promote sustainable mobility and urban well-being, but instead they are the symbol of that sensitivity that counts.” The ban on parking along the cycling route would have guaranteed the excellent success of an event that was already impeccable in itself.

The awards ceremony

At the end of the morning, the youngest cycle tourist, little Nicole Chirico, the oldest, Mr. Marcello Branca born in 1947, the most original Luna Portolano who participated disguised as the video game hero SuperMario, Roberto Iunco disguised in 1950s style, Cristian Cocciolo as a street vendor selling watermelon from Brindisi, Alessandro Cazzato with his son Christian on board a very particular tandem and Mrs. Rita De Matteis with a very colorful look also extended to her bicycle, finally for the oldest bicycle the prize goes to Irene Marseglia for having participated with a 1950s bicycle. We then moved on to recognition for the largest family, the Rollos with 22 registered cycle tourists led by great-grandmother Elisa Rollo. At the end of the 2024 edition, the Tepore”, established as the first ever edition of Brindisi by bicycle since the death of its creator, with whom it spanned five decades in the history of Brindisi, overwhelmingly won by the Istituto Comprensivo Casale of the School Director Mariavittoria Caprioli with 130 students enrolled (school who also created the celebratory graphics that became the official logo of the 37th edition) which raised the cup to the sky amidst everyone’s applause.

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© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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