One day good the next tough.

Late, in the dark, as i was getting my tent up, I saw a cyclist riding past, i was going to shout but thought better of it.

As soon as i was horizontal, my eyes were shut, i was asleep. Waking at 4.30, i lay and just did some calming breathing exercises. Suddenly it was 6. A little breakfast, i didn’t have much.

On the bike at 7ish. It was still going up and my meager rations last night and this morning didnt set me in the best stead. But stady riding, past Our Lady Cabeza Monestry and on up, first in the dark then as the sun rose, no one drove past me. The quiet was a little scary. But the moon is nearly full so the road is illuminated.

Unfortunately there was a lot of undulations before the descent.

The descent was long and relaxed

Then back up, i really struggled to keep going. I had not seen a shop or house or anywhere to buy food. Luckily i found a water fountain so at least i had water. I fired up my stove and cooked some porridge i had some honey, and coffee which was reviving. Then onwards and upwards.

It’s such a mental struggle to keep going sometimes. The pull to just ride to the side of the road and curl up into a ball in the shade, constantly harasses my head.

I eventually pulled out my phone and booked a hotel in Puertollano. A town 40kms away. Surprisingly the distance disappeared fast. As i got into town i went to a supermarket and bought way too much food, then on to the hotel.

I got there at about 4, this causes such a food dilemma. I ate immediately but now i wont be hungry at 6 or 7. So my evening meal is closer to 8 this seriously affects my getting up time.

The Sierra de Anujar and surrounding countryside, if you dont quite time it right is a long and lonely area. But very ruggedly beautiful. I mosd definately had a tough day out. Not wven reaching the ton.