Tuesday, September 29th
Route Map and Elevation Profile
Day 9 - Aguilas to San Jose (121km, 1,510m)
Monday, September 28th
Route Map and Elevation Profile
We've been wondering about the possibility of rain occurring for the past few days, but today looked like it would be another fine one as we looked back towards the mountains behind the hotel.
This was going to be the longest day of the trip (120km), and one of the "lumpiest" (ie. hilly).
But the first half was along the coast, and although there were hills, we either didn't go over them, or they weren't very significant.
Sometimes when you look along the distant coast, you think you're looking at your destination - but in fact, you soon arrive there and in half an hour the view back to where you came looks similar.
In other words, it's a long way, and what you see is only ever a very small part of the day's journey.
There are a lot of "urbanisations" along the Spanish coast, usually built around an exisiting town.
This means lots of English tourists/residents, and a large number of restaurants/cafes to stop at.
It also means a lot of residential developments in interesting, and occasionally very out of the way places.
Some close for the "off season", which must last for 9 months. Some are terminated due to lack of funding, GFCs or poor economic situation. This one looks like it has just closed for the season.
We were told that after about half way, there would be few places to stop for coffee...
So we found a nice place on the beach. It was Monday morning, we were the only customers, yet the place was preparing for what might be a large lunch crowd.
Looking back to where we had coffee - somewhere in the far distance. Just to the left was a housing development gone bust - even the streets were blocked with concrete barriers. These places must look attractive on the brochures, and the sun and cheap prices probably attract a lot of retired English people.
We go inland to avoid a wilderness area - this inevitably involves some climbing, and some descending!
We've also seen a lot of interesting houses built in spectacular locations. It all looks a bit too remote for retirement though.
A slow grind up, a quick run down - but it was windy, and the gusts were unnerving.
Here's an "urbanisation" - all sold to foreigners, presumably.
Carl and Alistair push up a slow incline into a strong headwind - it was hard getting back onto their wheels after stopping to take this shot.
It looks so dry, but there are still orchards occasionally, and a lot of (ugly) plastic greenhouses in some places.
After a short, but steep climb (10% - 15%) and a short 10% down, we stopped for a quick rest before the final 20km push to our hotel.
From here it was mostly down...
...past some more unusual, and remote, houses.
Our hotel was really a faux Arizona style collection of bungalows on the edge of a small town at the end of a cape, but the rooms were nice - Bike Adventures has certainly improved the level of comfort in its hotel choices.
The view from my small courtyard at the back of the complex.
And the very welcoming pool - not heated, still a bit chilly, but relaxing for tired legs.
Because of the distance to town, dinner was organised collectively at the hotel. At least I didn't have to deal with splitting the bill again!
This was going to be the longest day of the trip (120km), and one of the "lumpiest" (ie. hilly).
But the first half was along the coast, and although there were hills, we either didn't go over them, or they weren't very significant.
Sometimes when you look along the distant coast, you think you're looking at your destination - but in fact, you soon arrive there and in half an hour the view back to where you came looks similar.
In other words, it's a long way, and what you see is only ever a very small part of the day's journey.
There are a lot of "urbanisations" along the Spanish coast, usually built around an exisiting town.
This means lots of English tourists/residents, and a large number of restaurants/cafes to stop at.
It also means a lot of residential developments in interesting, and occasionally very out of the way places.
Some close for the "off season", which must last for 9 months. Some are terminated due to lack of funding, GFCs or poor economic situation. This one looks like it has just closed for the season.
We were told that after about half way, there would be few places to stop for coffee...
So we found a nice place on the beach. It was Monday morning, we were the only customers, yet the place was preparing for what might be a large lunch crowd.
Looking back to where we had coffee - somewhere in the far distance. Just to the left was a housing development gone bust - even the streets were blocked with concrete barriers. These places must look attractive on the brochures, and the sun and cheap prices probably attract a lot of retired English people.
We go inland to avoid a wilderness area - this inevitably involves some climbing, and some descending!
We've also seen a lot of interesting houses built in spectacular locations. It all looks a bit too remote for retirement though.
A slow grind up, a quick run down - but it was windy, and the gusts were unnerving.
Here's an "urbanisation" - all sold to foreigners, presumably.
Carl and Alistair push up a slow incline into a strong headwind - it was hard getting back onto their wheels after stopping to take this shot.
It looks so dry, but there are still orchards occasionally, and a lot of (ugly) plastic greenhouses in some places.
After a short, but steep climb (10% - 15%) and a short 10% down, we stopped for a quick rest before the final 20km push to our hotel.
From here it was mostly down...
...past some more unusual, and remote, houses.
Our hotel was really a faux Arizona style collection of bungalows on the edge of a small town at the end of a cape, but the rooms were nice - Bike Adventures has certainly improved the level of comfort in its hotel choices.
The view from my small courtyard at the back of the complex.
And the very welcoming pool - not heated, still a bit chilly, but relaxing for tired legs.
Because of the distance to town, dinner was organised collectively at the hotel. At least I didn't have to deal with splitting the bill again!
Day 8 - Murcia to Aguilas (106km, 995m)
Sunday, September 27th
Route Map and Elevations Profile
Que visca Catalunya Lliure!
The Catalan elections are taking place today, largely seen as a vote for (or against) independence from Spain. I'm wearing my Catalunya jersey in support - my friends suggest I might get stoned by the non-Catalan Spanish, but I survived the day intact.
Another quite nice hotel - why has almost everyone departed before we finish breakfast?
It's Sunday morning, and so it's a quiet exit from Murcia. There's another fog, verging on rain, which we never really see. A few other cyclists on the road, but not as many as yesterday.
I depart with Bill and Nick, because one Tony was still having breakfast, and the other Tony graciously waited for him.
A lot of the morning is spent on a service road - much better than on the motorway it services!
Half way through the morning the sun comes out and the temperature climbs rapidly.
The scenery in the whole of Murcia is very stark - it's a surprise really that there's still a lot of agriculture.
Steve picks me up, or I pick him up - I can't remember. We spend the rest of the day cycling together (except whenever I stop to take pictures for the blog).
Agriculture - orchards and green houses as far as you can see.
These pictures were taken going up the major climb of the day - on the other side is the ocean!
And at the top of (almost) every climb is the van waiting with water and other support, as required.
After a rapid descent we arrive in Aguilas, our destination.
Steve and stop for a beer (him) and a shandy (me) and wait for the remaining riders to arrive.
In the fishing port there's the remains of what once must have been quite a nice yacht!
From the hotel deck you can see the castle on the peninsular which defines the harbour that we just passed through.
Rain threatens for a while and we get a shower - should we worry about tomorrow? Indeed, there's lightening out to sea as I write this.
The marina near the hotel.
I walk back into town and the sun breaks through the rain clouds for a while.
And the first time in Spain (and France) I see some guys playing Petanca (Boules).
I was so curious about the "Marie Celeste" boat that I walked all the way back to the harbour.
Birds circling th 18th century castle.
Nobody was interested in eating in town, so I walked back to the hotel where everyone had decided to have the €15 buffet - probably wisely...
Early results suggest a big win for Catalan independence!
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