Author: MSK

Daily Stats

Distance:  72kms

Elevation: 563 meters

Time: 3hours 23mins

Speed: 21.5 kph

Accumulated Distance: 153kms

Daily Disasters: 8.30 pm Shpend wanted to put a bit of tubeless sealant into his tyre of course it popped off the bead and wouldn’t reseat.

Second day the efficiency was astounding. We pack up like men possessed.  The alarm had sounded at 6.16. And we were packed and out the door by 7.30, but then we stopped for some watermelon

Oh snd then we stopped for coffee, 🤷‍♂️ and finally on the road and actually cycling at 8 30. So a pretty unimpressive start.

But the route was fantastic groves and groves of citrus trees and olive trees, dams forming georgeous lakes. Then up near vertical switchbacks to the top of our small set of hills a plane below stretching out full of more citrus and olive.

The route meandered around a bigger road all on their way to Cordoba.

Then we were on the outskirts, then the route took us nearly out the other side. Luckily we stopped, rejigged and back into the center to our hotel, by about 12.30

Washed changed and out the door for a walkabout. We were enticed into a steak house.  Then back to the hotel for a liedown.

The Mezquita-Cathedral de Córdaba is one of my favouritest places on earth. It is so spectacular and the amalgamating of mosque and cathedral is a match nearly unheard-of.  Córdaba also holds a strong place in my heart as it cemented my relationship with KK ❤.

There are 100million pictures better than mine, but I put a few up anyway.

Back in the hotel room at 7.20 shpend decided this was the time to put some tubeless select into his tyres. Of course on deflating the tyre bead popped off the rim and impossible to pump with my electric pump or my hand pump. We google bike shops found one 15 mins away. But it closed in 15 mins. Both of us threw on our clothes and rushed along the streets starting to sweat and pant. The shop owner was closing the shutters I persuaded him to wait 5 mins. He did and he put the compressor pump on the tyre and 30seconds later it was inflated. We walked away with relief,  ee would have had to wait till 9.30 tomorrow and we want to be on the road by 7.

Daily Stats

Distance: 81 kms

Elevation: 523m

Time: 4 hours 1 min

Speed: 20.3kph

With military efficiency the alarm went off at 5am. Shpend had done most of the bike work yesterday and I believe his initial statement was: I think only have about half an hours work to do.  2 hours later we were carrying the bike and box down the hotel stairs. The hotel had kindly allowed Shoendvto store his box in their store room for the 10 days we are away.

I had culled a lot of my stuff as we will be staying in hotels so my bike about 5kilos lighter. I’m severely excited about that.

I our inimitable style 100 meters down the road we were in a cafe having our first coffee. 

Then it time we had to get off  our asses and had to get going. 8 15 my Strava tells me. Getting out of big towns/cities is slways a hassle, busy roads, too narrow. Probably 40 of our 80 was like this. We got a good couple of hours at a reasonable temperature, then someone turned the switch from reasonable to furnace. Sweat dripping down our noses, we had to work hard to keep enough fluid inside ourselves. We knew it would be hot and once the temperature gets above 44⁰c 🥵. The slight headwind cooling the sweat from our bodies.

We stopped for coffee, we stopped for lunch. The last 20kms of our route wore over moderate hills and such a beautiful landscape. Of course there are no pictures we were ride and talking of the past times, future times.  It was a joy.

Finally at about 2pm we got to La Puebla de los Infantes and our hotel. Straight into our room.  I showered and lay dawn snd slept for an hour.

Despite our general organisation I thing nowhere will be open so no meal tonight….. you never know.

I have enjoyed our first day.  Riding along having a conversation is engaging and enjoyable.

Daily Stats.

Diatance: 100kms

Elevation: 913m

Time: 4hours 49 mins

Speed: 20.9

Accumulated Distance: 2244kms

Daily Disasters: ran over a bird in the morning, dropped last piece of toast and tomatoes, chain dropped again.

My alarm woke me at 6, I gave myself the indulgence of 5 or 10 mins lie in. Then straight to it. On the road by 7.20.

The road was very lightly undulating.

Then I rode into Cordaba but only the outskirts. Looking forward to revisiting in a few days.

The bike paths despite a few errors are good. Sometimes it would be better is they defined where they were heading.

The village before the campsite was just about to close. Giving me enough time to buy a few bits of food. My purchases were correct, the csmpsite had nothing, not even drinking water.

Then Amelia and Ed came onto the campsite. Having driven from UK Via Portugal 🇵🇹.  Amelia naively invited me for a blackcurrant cordial after their meal. They weren’t prepared for the jibber jabber of a guy who hasn’t talked full,  English for a week. I really enjoyed their company this evening. 

Dots going on here:https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

Daily Stats

Distance: 113 kms

Elevation: 1018 m

Time: 5 hours 39 mins

Speed: 20.1 kph

Accumulated Distance: 2144 kms

Daily Disasters:  Chain falling off, had to readjust chain catcher, but probably stretched chain, Back tyre deflating, put in 1 measure of fluid. But electric pump really came into its own. Another town 3 more barbers full.

I had very little sleep last night. I lay and stared at the ceiling then tossed and turned for a bit, then stared at the ceiling again.

Eventually I slept and my alarm woke me at 6am. Its been getting hotter and leaving early is a must. I ate breakfast in my room.

My back tyre had deflated a bit so I pumped it to pressure with my little electric pump.

Once again inspiring views all day. Yeh that pot was massive 😲.

The wind was blowing into my face, well has been for 3 or 4 days. Although hateful to ride into it does continuously cool you down. I would call it an undulating route. Garmin has done an update and my route line changes colour when it thinks there is a hill, I really hate this feature, and it’s so inaccurate.

My chain has now repeatedly fallen off. I think it is stretched and needs replacing. Maybe when I get to Seville.  And my back tyre lost pressure again, I squeezed in a shot of tubeless fluid, and then pumped up the tyre with my electric pump, faster and more relaxing than the hand pump. Highly recommended.

Yep still more olive trees.

I had earmarked a campsite 20kms outside of Cordoba.  I pushed on to get there arriving about 3. I am here for 2 nights now. I am feeling a bit weary.

And despite the bikebpaths generally being fantastic, they still are not perfect.

Generally the drivers are fantastic, passing the full opposite side of the road. But sometimes when there is oncoming traffic vehicles still overtake, I had an instance today, there were words and some gesticulating.

And the dots here https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

Daily Stats

Distance: 66kms

Elevation: 619 m

Time: 3 hours 9 mins

Speed: 21 kph

Accumulated Distance: 2031kms

Daily Disasters: It’s so hot my shorts are welding themselves to my ass.

It was a great ride today. I decided to keep it short and stay in a hotel. So I aimed for Linares.

My wild camp was quiet and I slept well.

I had no food so just packed and rode into the nearest town about 5kms away. Coffee and a few cakes snd I was rearing to go. The scenery is rolling hills covered in row upon row of olive trees, as far as the eye can see. Delightful to ride through.

I’m still going generally downhill, now at 421meters and at my highest so far 1200.  The weather is getting furnace hot 🔥 and riding later in the day is tough.

Sometimes Komoot takes me on what I believe to be senseless detours, I usually iron these out and go the straight route. Happily today I didn’t and this was the reward.

Soon I was in Linares. What seems like a georgeous town.

Safely ensconced in my hotel I washed my kit.

I walked to 4 barbers all fully booked till 8pm. On a Monday. The Linaresians must be vain.

It’s nearly impossible to get food before 8pm and then it’s oh come back in 15 mins. This is not conducive to a 5am get up, Grrrrrrrrr.

I am aiming for a campsite just outside Cordoba one of my favourite cities of the world, hopefully for 2 days.

Folliw some dots here https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

Daily Stats

Distance: 111kms

Elevation: 1037m

Time: 5 hours 35 mins

Speed: 19.8kph

Accumulated Distance: 1965kms

Daily  Disasters: Zero today.

Much to my surprise and pleasure my neighbours quietened down to nearly zero sound at 11. Obviously earlier would have been perfect, but be thankful for small mercies.

The route today was predominantly down there were still a few ups in there.

Winding my way through 1000 olive groves. On the borders of Castile la Mancha and Andalusia. This is the olive growing region of Spain 🇪🇸.  This is where I trolly put my only olive fact. Spain produces more olives than the next three countries (Italy, Turkey,  Tunisia) combined.  That’s a lot of olives. Anyway, to my advantage I find the olive tree layout and general aesthetics particularly good. So I ride with a smile on my face.

The route is adorned with statues/pictures of the Don.

The sun is still blaring down, its still as hot as hell, it seems early but it’s nearly 7. I’m thinking of bed and sleep now.

I remembered my dot maker https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

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. 😪

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. 

Don’t forget to follow me on this website https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

All in all an excellent day

Daily Stats

Distance: 112kms

Elevation:  441m

Time: 5hours 2 mins

Speed: 22.4kph

Accumulated distance:  1560 kms.

Daily Disasters: None come to mind.

My campsite was great last night beautiful flat gravelly pitches. And across the entrance it advertised cycle friendly.  And all for the princely sum of €12.

I travelled fast today there was only one hill and that took me through a beautiful woodland area. 

Then just the other side of Sagunt I found myself on this road, taking me nearly into Valencia. Big shout out to Sagunt vicinity for a great job

I rode past my eventual campsite for one a little further on, only to find it was a a motorhome park with no facilities. A u turn found me back at the exorbitantly priced  Camping Sandaya Valencia. It’s big has great WiFi a pool, entertainment for the kids and loud customers.  And particularly unflat muddy pitches.

Then at 9.15 I discovered my tyre had deflated a bit. Despite locating where the hole was I found it difficult in inserting the worm and had to resumption the tyre up a few times. Eventually I got the worm in. And left it at that.  Here’s hoping it’ll be OK in the morning I’m hoping for an early start.

https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta Follow my journey here.

Daily Stats:

Distance: 89kms

Elevation: 903m

Time: 4hours 1 min

Speed: 22.1

Accumulated distance: 1448kms

Daily Disasters:  None really

Oh the joy if waking up in the sunshine. Packing up quickly. Because I have so little I seem to use everything every night, of course I have a system.

I had a little fruit before I left. And rode out just after 8am.

I was so lucky today my touted wound through quiet countryside with very few cars. And the scenery is to die for. Olive groves abound, so many places to stop and relax,  I wish I had brought my coffee maker. I 5ook no scenery pictures today, I was just revelling in the joy of what I am doing. 😀

Then it started a little smattering of rain. I rode on, it got a little wetter, I stopped and put my Shakedry on. Soon after I rolled into Les Coves de Vin Romà a marked was happening but slowly packing up. I bought some bread before I saw the chicken van. I was dragged in like a rat up a drainpipe.

And as i was sitting there the heavens opened and torrential downpour started,  a river flowed down the road

Luckily I was under a cover sitting on a bench eating my chicken and potatoe. I waited long after the food had gone.

Jumping up to get on the bike in what I thought was going to be a short break in the pouring. But the rain then held off. The last 20kms was undulating, the road was crappy but I like that and so beautiful winding, zero cars to the sea.

The campsite was signposted. Still it seemed like threatening rain but it held off.

Tent is up stuff is drying slowly. I’m feeling strong but realised I need to eat s bit more substantial food to fuel my journey.

I remembered to fire up my fot tracker this morning: https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

I sat in the campsite and had a little late afternoon snack