The Good the Bad and the Ugly.

I got up and retraced the 10kms back then another 10km on into Tabernes, i deserved a coffee at this point. Despite being in the close vacinity of where The Good the Bad and the Ugly and many other Paella westerns and at least 2 western theme parks, Tabernes was very pleasant.

I searched out the water fountain and filled up all bottles. All I knew as there would be some very steep climbs mear the next town, then down, down, down.

The route was great the surface easily negotiatable. And my path twisted and turned along gorges, high sided.

Then i came across this

I think i missed a small turn, it seems with karge consequences. My Garmin showed my route a little to my right, going back us never sn option so i took a quick reccy came back and pushed/pulled/hauled/shouted to get the bike over.

Now i was just following a riverbed. I didnt think of the consequences of where it would take me. But still i was travelling paralell to my route to the right.

I came to the end of my riverbed canyon

I was gasping. It took all my ingenuity and strength. There were some hairy and scary moments. I feel achieved. Oh and there was my route.

When i get onto a road it is joyous how easy it feels but usually short lived. The road to Turrillas is steep but my route turns off slong a concrete path maxing at 24% i can assure you there was only pushing going on here. I asked Turrillas, no accommodation.

It is at this point i finally broke. The route went up a hiking path so steep and gnarly. A guy said follow another path instead. And this i did, and what a magnificent path it was light gravel all the way and joining the original just outside Nijar.

But of course no digression goes unpunished. As i was hammering it down a hill i heard undesirable squeaking. Looking down i discovered a nut disappeared and a bolt loosening. So lucky i had a spare nut. Of course this is not a 5 mins job, it demands some unpacking and unstrapping. I then discover other things that need tightening and checking. So 90mins later i set off again, i have tightened the bolt snd superglued to nut on. Lets see how that holds up.

I rolled into Nijar at 3.15. Everywhere on Bookings com was full, but i cruised into Hostal Montes and booked in 2 nights, seriously my undercarridge needs a days rest, theres a whold world of pain and soreness going on.