Bitter Sweet

I have stayed at Camping Trevelez a few times but surprisingly nearly empty. Too lazy to cook i ate at their resturant.

The next morning instead of the 4.30 start I slept till 6 and probably left just after 7.

To get a coffee i would have to cycle down a few hundred meters and it wasn’t in me to do so. The route zig zagged up on a steep concrete road with small ridges across, particularly unpleasant.

But eventually the road levelled out and i rode with a broad smile across my face, each turn revealed a vista so awesome. And a place to cook my own coffee.

There was one section that needed some careful walk descending and ascending. But after that a roll down fast descent into Capileria where officially the Badlands Route finishes.

It’s always a bitter sweet feeling. I really enjoyed the Badlands route, but it was a bitch of a challenge. My friend Brett asked me how hard and definately this is the hardest route i have undertaken. Not helped by the 40⁰+ temperatures, it was sweltering and the limited supply of water. Glad i brought my filter. I see pictures of the race and groups of gravel riders i am very pleased i succeeded alone.

Yes yes sometimes i could have done with company but as always overcoming the terrain, the heat, limited water, mechanicals, route problems, food problems, alone is an accomplishment to be valued.

From Capileria its a downhill tarmac roll to Orgiva.