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!
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