Daily Stats
Distance: 63 + 83 = 146kms
Elevation: 409 + 712 = 1121m
Time: 2.55 + 4.55 = 7hours 50 mins
Speed: 21.7 and 16.9
Accumulated Distance: 1854 kms
Daily Disasters: Saddle broke, new saddle was a pain, no hotels available in Albacete. Too much gravel for these tyres. Really noisy neighbours. I only turned on the dot thing ¾ through the ride.
I woke to my alarm at 6, ate a little breakfast in my room and was out the door at 7.
I abstained from having coffee at the first town, but could help myself in the second.
The road was flat and the riding easy. Rushing through towns, hardly seeing them. They are a bit nondescript. So I just pushed on until I got to Albacete. As I got into town I headed for the first bike shop looking for a new saddle, it was closed down, the second not open till Monday morning, I checked, all were closed till Monday, except 1, i rushed to it and after a bit of discussion i bought a saddle. Big shout out to Mammoth Cycles well just for being open.
I was still a bit tired from yesterday so I decided to call it a day. I tried Bookings.com. But they had nothing available, hmmm that’s peculiar. I went into a hotel and asked for a room and the receptionist told me the whole town was booked out due to a festival. Grrrrrr. I had to make a decision quick, so I decided to ride on. I had marked a campsite, it was 130kms from the town I started from best I get a move on, only 70kms to go.
As I left town I popped into a supermarket to get a few food supplies.
My Road route took me straight onto the Don Quijote Route a gravel path.
The path is quite tame so I continued. 20 kms later I a big cross on the path told me it was closed, I could see no explanation but moved onto the road that ran parallel to the DQ route.
I’m not particularly sure this is the best way to break in a new saddle, but some of my old nerve problems returned. I continuously squirmed in pain on the saddle for the next 5 hours. Looking forward to tomorrow.
The last 15 kms I was guided onto a gravel path, with more appropriate tyres this woukd have been great but I took it slow. Eventually arriving at the campsite at 6.30.
I put my tent up, showered, the campsite is in the middle of a national park, I was hoping for peace and tranquility, my neighbours are playing music full and one of the kids persistently blows a whistle….. its going to be a long night. 😪
A Couple of Days Ride Outta....... 