This too Shall Pass

I know it was Saturday night but my neighbours got back ay about 11pm then left their car engine running for at least an hour. I have no idea why.

So when my 4.30 alarm went off i let it ring for a bit extra. Packing in a campsite is good as there are always lights on.

As i left the campsite little did i know the dead flat hell that was waiting for me. The coast path, of course was 90% sand, absolutely no riding going on here. I pushed and pushed and pushed. I guestimated it was 6kms. Which means it was probably only 2kms. This pushins sucks every ounce of energy, enthusiasm, and joy out of me. And the one time i did get on and ride the path immediately turned back to sand slewed the bike and threw my sweat covered body into the sand which is still in the evening dotted all over me.

Of course eventually sand turned to track, track to path then road. Into central Almeria, the coffee revived me a bit

But its hard to describe how much energy was sapped from my body.

I knew there were hills, there always are. The track leaving Almeria was easy enough for me to ride. So quickly out of town and into beautiful mountainous nature. The views inland and over to the sea were fantastic. This route is so good.

But i cannot remember when but the path changed from beautiful track to big stones, just a bit smaller than a cricketball. Falling on this is a real bad option, injury is pratically guaranteed. And eventually the the area i was able to ride on became so narrow and i was going so slow. I made a tatical dismount and walked. I suppose it’s a little better than sand. But it was up and up.

My left shoe has all the tread ripped from the front. So now it just looks like a road bike shoe. I have just covered the front in superglue. Likleyhood of it helping is about zero but i have to try something. It has to last 2 or 3 more days. There is so much walking it is ripping through the carbon. Not sure i want to be cycling in sandals.

I walked and walked, very seldom was there any chance to ride. Some may say i should have a mountain bike, but the second road part of the trip people would say you need a road bike. But this is what i have, its a compromise sometimes. But nothing would stop from me hating that section. I was really questioning my decision to carry on at all.

I stopped at a small village. There was a water fountain so my bottles were full for the evening. Also a community pool where i staggered in and ate 3 ice lollies, there were peculiar looks.

I then pressed on getting to the peak of the climb before plumetting into the depths of the valley. Where i found a flat bed of stones for the night, it was surprisingly comfortable. Or maybe i was just too tired to care.

Yep an add on day as no internet last night.

I woke at 4 and packed up. I ate what food i had left over. Probably started cycling at 4.30 or 4.45.

Up up and more up, going that slow in the pitch black is pretty scary. As i was in a deep ravine there we absolutely no lights except the stars. I had checked and knew it was a 10km climb and also an elevation of from 500m to 1400m.

As i was a bit scared of completely ruining my shoes i rode the climb in my sandals, surprisingly ok to cycle in. At the top there was a seat and a georgious view point.

I brewed a coffee and relaxed watching the view. Then packed up and freewheeled the road down.

I freewheeled nearly all the way to Berja. Where at 11.30 i had an early lunch. My legs tired from the walking the day before and the early morning climb, I wasnt feeling too clever so i booked a hotel and lay flat for the rest of the day.

My Garmin/or me failed to record the ride today which I’m a bit grumpy about. But approx 43kms and 1000m climbing.