Friday, September 25th
The usual scene in front of the hotel - some have already departed, and some are still having breakfast! Some are just waiting around...
Given that Garmins have been the hot topic of this ride, it's appropriate that Graham checks his Garmin on the first climb. What could go wrong?!
And the first climb isn't too bad - it's actually a bit cool, and there fog hanging over the valley.
But it's sunny, which allows us a last look at the castle.
Several (many?) kilometers later, we get a view back at the castle - the view that we saw yesterday from the top (remember?).
Over the first climb, and on the way down the first decent, here that foggy start to the day...
From now on, the day turned into a climb followed by a lot of straight, relatively uninteresting streches.
Our first coffee stop, this time with team "Steve" - two Steves from Derbyshire who ride very well.
We tackle the major climb of the day, which at around 5% isn't too bad - you can do this all day, especially when the scenery is so dramatic.
I couldn't decide what the purpose of these caves/holes was - perhaps defensive?
More Spaghetti Western country.
This might look dangerous, but in fact the truck drivers are the most respectful of cyclists of all motorists in Spain!
I couldn't beieve they had once cut railway line through this gorge.
The climb is actually quite gradual, although we discovered later that some people had trouble with it.
Coming up the climb towards the van.
And at (almost) the top, there's Mike in the van waiting with water and any other assistance people might need.
Even I didn't understand this - we're certainly not in Canada, although the next major town was called Cañada.
The fog has gone, the road is straight, and the sun is starting to beat down - it's 28C...
Typically, the fields have been plowed for next season's crops, and the orchards have been left long behind.
We noticed that grape vines were becoming more prevalent, and clearly there's enough water r irrigation.
We arrive at our hotel, and after cleaning up have a beer in the garden - the local gardener makes us feel very much at home by mowing the grass (to within an inch of its life).
Graham obviously has contacts - the best room, with the best view, and hist (only) cycling jersey washed and drying in the window.
I couldn't believe t when I heard rain - this little cloud was responsible for a 5 minute shower that barely wet anything. We still think we're going to have fine weather all the way to Gibraltar.
Everyone retires to their rooms, so I decide to walk into town - here's the Basilica.
A square looking up towards the hill and another church.
The local council building.
And another view of the church.
Dinner was back at the hotel, and there was another mess of ordering and bill dividing - remind me never to get involved again.
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