A day that reminds me of all the reasons I do this.

Daily Stats

Distance: 148 kms

Elevation: 2078m

Time: 8 hours 22 mins

Speed: 17.7 kph

Accumulated distance: 1708 kms

Daily Disasters: Turned up a csmpsite and it was closed. I noticed my saddle is ripping and in need of immediate replacement, here hoping tomorrow in Albacete.

I have started wearing my eye mask at night. There are always lights on in campsites and always in my eye. So far it’s been good.

The alarm woke me at about 5.30. I felt quite sprightly, leapt up. Packed and was up and riding by 6.46. Hmmmm either I got up later or I took a long time to get ready.

The first turn took me into a bling ally, I hoped this wasn’t a sign of things to come. But it was easily remedied. The first bit of the ride was riding through Valencia. Such s great city to ride through. Bike paths, cars stopping, generally seemed. Like a system working.

Then out to Torrent. 10 mins after that I was into countryside. Today Komoot showed how good it was, the route was fantastic.

It’s tough to stop and take pictures when you are enjoying yourself so much. I chased a couple of road cyclists up a small rise, my comedy effort was worthy of Dr. Gerguri. Then climb after climb. I felt strong so the climbing was a pleasure. But the descending was spectacular as well.

At breakfast, I think my third a guy leant across and asked if my bike was an Open. I was thrilled, he’s the first person to recognise it.

I saw a cyclist with bikepacking kit, but was going way too fast for me to catch up.

Lunch was a big roll with omelette and ham oh and cheese and tomatoes, yummy. That was at about 2. I probably should have stopped for longer but time was pressing.

After lunch the road climbed high, my legs were starting to feel it bow. But I dipped into a valley, a town at the bottom. I sat down for a snack and some water from the fountain. When I got going again I discovered this beautiful water wheel and leisure area, wish I had discovered it earlier it would have been better than sitting on the curb.

Then to road rose steeply with obliterated road surface. It was a long snd tough climb.

At the top I entered a small town, found a fountain. And lying having a siesta was the guy who sped past earlier.

He was Itslian living in Valencia and restores bikes… He didn’t recognise the brand of my bike, and hadn’t heard if it 🤦. We started together, I made the schoolboy error of trying to follow, i wilted fast.

Was into the last 15kms to the campsite but I was flagging and had to concentrate to keep going, eventually rolling to the front of the campsite only to discover it was closed. I should have put my tent up outside. But I didn’t I rode to the next town and found a hostal.