Day 5 - Valencia to Xativa (85km, 635m)

Thursday, September 24th

Route Map and Elevation Profile

The first hotel of this trip which allowed bikes to be store in rooms, not that it's my preference. We subsequently discovered that one of our group actually washed his bike in his shower (well, almost).

Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to explore Valencia, and although I had been here briefly over 25 years ago, there have been lots of changes - this precinct has a number of very interesting buildings, including a shell shaped Opera House.

There wasn't much time for photographs as we struggled with traffic to escape the city. The route took us straight to the coast, and near the port, where ships were queued up in the Mediterranean.

Then we were onto a long stretch of boardwalks and bike paths, all of which seemed to be "off course" on our Garmin navigators. We suspect that Steve from Bike Adventures had surveyed the route by walking along the beach...

Indeed, at times we thought we were on the beach!

Coffee time around 11:00am brought us to a road-side cafe where a very large group of people were feasting on paella and similar dishes - we couldn't decide whether this was breakfast (too late) or lunch (too early).

Irrigation canal, rice and mountains - a change from citrus trees.

We happen upon thr van, and the boys decide there isn't enough pressure in their tires. One thing we noticed was the very large number of local cyclists out riding on a Thursday morning.

Back to the coast and we wonder if we have to actually climb those mountains, or go around them.

Lunch (!) is a banana, a pear and a drink from a very quiet (out of season?) supermarket.

We turn inland and the view is still of roads, orchards and mountains.

There's even one of the few remaining Osborne (sherry) publicity Bulls that one used to see all over Spain.

Just before the only significant climb of the day, we decide to visit a 13th century monastery, and the decision was well rewarded. This is actually the view of the square, and mountain we're about to climb, from the monastery gate.

The guard kindly told us that entrance was free, but that we shouldn't leave our bikes in front of an historic monument.

I just loved his place, especially its situation, and the typical Spanish weather.

This is the entrance gate and chapel (?) viewed from the main building.

The interior was almost bare, but very highly decorated.

A former cloister perhaps?

One of the side walls set against the stark hills behind.

We climbed the 4km and 6% gradient hill, and the view back to the coast was spectacular.

But the view in the opposite direction towards our final destination was quite different.

Our first view of the very impressive and renowned Xativa castle.

My hotel room with a view of the match - unfortunately, the only action has been training - I hope it doesn't go all night.

The bikes are safely stored in the hotel dining room, where we would evetually have dinner.

We get a closer look at the castle during a walk around the old town.

Which is full of lots of lovely streets and alleys, eventually giving way to pedestrian access only.

A college/church in the centre of the old town.

Yet another shandy with olives and nuts in a lovely nearby square.

On our walk back to the hotel we happened upon the tourist "train" which was just about to do a city tour, including climb to the castle - it was our luck day!

Part of the old city wall on the way up to the castle.

The view of the "minor" and "major" castle walls from half way up.

The train dropped us just near the castle entrance - we had an hour to explore, have another drink, and get back for the ride down.

We only went to the major castle, and this is the view back tot the minor castle.

In the middle of this mountain range is the pass we crossed earlier in the afternoon - it's real Spaghetti Western country.

A Morish water feature, probably totally reconstructed.

The view of Xativa from the castle.

The view in the opposite direction shows part of tomorrow's route.

Some more of the castle ramparts.

And another view of the countryside below through a (probably recently restored) window.

We had our drink, and thought about climbing the other side of the castle, but we'd done enough work for today!

Dinner was in the hotel dining room, and paid for by BA, so....who could resist?!