I left late today such a good idea when I had already decided to do 100km. So into the bakery? I was keen on a bun but they would only sell 6 at a time, I have no space for 6 so I abstained.
The route wound it’s way along the gorge once again I have run out if superlatives but the scenery so evocative of the western I watched when I was young (And let’s face it some would probably have been filmed here), finally I was living the dreams of my childhood.
Some of tge route was pretty windy single track, I had to use all my limited skills to keep from falling down the near vertical drop that accompanied me most of the way. On one section I swayed off the path a bit and dropped into a small hole causing a band and that dreaded sound of air escaping from a tire. I span the wheel quickly to activate the tubeless fluid but most of the air had escaped. Grabbing the pump I pumped furiously to reinflate. The tire/rim combination gave a sudden bang as the tire reconnected with the rim. I was all smiles as the tire inflated to the adequate pressure.
Todays route was dotted with multiple climbs of excessive gradient. I know that after 13% on gravel my tires do not like gripping and I am forced to walk, so all were just below that level. Unless I am getting more skilful at negating the wheel spin at 13%.
I have been told not to do anything too dangerous…. make up your own mind. As I was riding I came to this,
I had a choice, go back and reroute (we all know that was never gonna happen), or I could carry my bike either up this,
Or this,
Walking over the collapsed bit of road first it was pretty steep down to the water on the right
So I opted for the latter of the 2 and well obviously survived. I was surprised at how dexterous I was in manoeuvring the bike.
It was a serious old hill after that but finally a down to Dos Aguas and I completed my first 100km this trip.
A Couple of Days Ride Outta....... 