Category: Skyros to Seville ’24 🇬🇷 🇮🇹 🇪🇸

Daily Stats

Wednesday Day 4

Distance 157kms

Time 8 hours 57mins

Speed 17.6kph

Elevation 1819meters

I knew I had to use a different strategy today. Surpringly i sensibly had bought some museli bars so I had 4 of them.

I set my alarm at 5.30am. Had my porridge with extra honey, packed up fast and was on the road by 6.15. Particularly misty luckily much of the route was off road so I didn’t have to worry about cars. My glasses were covered by mist so I took them off and rode semi blind. 

I knew the distance was about 150kms so my tactic for the day was to not look at any metrics. Speed/time/distsnce/power. I did a guesstimate that I would ride at about 15kph and so I would be home at about 6 pm. No point in looking at anything till then. I would know if I was wildly out as I wouldn’t be home 🤷‍♂️. And I couldn’t/didn’t want to go any faster.

I stopped in Amesbury at one of the best bakeries ever I’ve been in, coffee and a sausage roll and a piece of lardy cake for later. Sorry no pictures. And yes the mist obscured Stonehenge so I didn’t even go near enough.

So I rode up and down and around Salisbury plain guns firing left right and center. There were troops marching military vehicles kicking up dust all over the place. My route just skirted the military zone.

Many of the paths were as set of ridges and furrows, unfortunately it’s nearly impossible to tell where the ridge starts and the furrow ends and of course visa versa. If you waver from your set line disaster awaits.

I tried to relax and enjoy the fun of cycling.

I stopped to talk to a motorcyclists asking where Wantage was, and he pointed to the road 100meters away. Wow. I now knew only 30kms to go. I swooped into Wantage and celebrated with a hot chocolate and cheese and ham roll. Then cycled home, to arrive at 5.40ish. Perfect.

As always my saddle has not been the best, my seatpost slipping probably didn’t help. And the last half hour was really not much fun.

All riders i met so far have agreed that the KAW probably should not be designated a gravel bike route.  Some of the sections are for full on mtbs.  Personally I always under bike and that’s the bike I have and unlikely to change any time soon.

No dot profile now as I have cancelled my subscription for the moment.

I enjoyed the King Alfred’s Way route there were some real hard bits. If I had trained specifically for a few hard uphills there’s a good chance I could have ridden most of the tough climbs. But I would still be too scared for the downhills. But completing the 100kms a day makes it much easier to complete.

Tuesday Day 3

Sometimes when things don’t go the way I want or I don’t complete as I had hoped, I refer myself to a quote by Theodore Roosevelt, it’s well known but it gives me strength and confidence.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat

Daily Stats

Distance  93kms

Time 6 hours 36 mins

Speed 14.1 Kph

Elevation 1620meters

Because we did less than the desired 100kms yesterday today would very longer.

We left the weird campsite at about about 7.50. Instead of a driveway there were dumped bricks,  Brett danced over them I decided land my aas on them. Grrrrrrrrr. I hate falling, but I do seem to do it ofter.

The route today was if anything harder thsn the last 2 days, rocky climb after rocky climb, each one ripping the energy out of our legs.

On the descents the limestone smeared with green lichen, as slippery as ice. What we hoped for was rollicking downhills what we got was half walking or one foot out dabbing slowly down the hill. None of this was fun.

At least one long limestone climb we both were reduced to a plodding walking. This followed by a long grass hill wheel spinning and an eventual tactical dismount for both of us.

We had coffee at a beautiful lake side.

Over the morning we both hit the deck. Grrrrrrr.

At about One we reaches Winchester and King Alfred decided to get in on the act.

Over lunch in Winchester we had a team meeting  and Brett was feeling particularly knackered, he had has been working long hours lately and as a consequence had to neglect training. He thought (and he was right) the trail would only get harder and that would lead us not achieving the time we had. So directly to Oxford by road was his schedule.

As this point I had a tough decision to make. Obviously I’m selfish I decided to carry on with the KAW.

We parted ways at about 3.

Brett whizzed off towards a camp site half way to Oxford and I lumbered along the trail. I made only 30kms the route was so draining. So once again not accomplishing the necessary 100kms.

It’s a lonesome business riding alone after having company.  But I got to an overpriced campsite for the night and Brett phoned and told me how good his site was for less than half the price.

At the campsite I ⅔ recharged my phone leaving only a small amount left in the powerbank.  So to retain electricity I didn’t write my blog.

Daily Stats

Distance 85 kms

Time 5 hours 22 mins

Speed 15.8kph

Elevation 2076m

6.15 we woke and started to move about, Brett had tea and porridge I cooked my porridge. Then the packup process began. The field by the pub we camped in cost us nothing but a drink. The dew was thick on the ground and the condensation all over the inside of my tent. We packed and repacked and adjusted and repacked eventually getting riding at about 8. Straight to the closest cafe for a coffee and a teacake.  Then we really got going I suppose 9.30 🤦.

Brett was feeling strong and on the first off road uphill sped past me like a gazelle as I lumbered along plodding. (Can any I pull any of the excuses cards out, he’s 25kgs lighter overall, he’s 15 years younger. Hmmmm I’ve just done a 3000km tour he’s done 3 practice sessions. Grrrrrrrrrr ⚖️) I chased him and failed to catch.

Hills and hills and off road hills, sand hills like a beach . But views at the top so spectacular. The sand sections were absolutely devastating, slewing us with the slightest turn of the bars, low gear high cadence seemed to work, but the legs can only do this so many times until they just grind to a hault. Neither of us liked the sand.

We were tired we worked hard all morning and possibly/probably hadn’t eaten enough. Eventually we stopped for lunch at about 1.30pm the bacon and brie sandwiches devoured in seconds swilled down with sweet hot chocolate.

Soon after there was a long off road uphill getting progressively harder and rougher. I heard a screech behind and knew Brett had come a cropper. I surmised it was bad I’d come back to check or he would shout louder. But soon after the trail was so rough I had to stop. And Brett was only just behind me.

We stopped at some seats and discussed a plan of action. Find a campsite get horizontal ASAP. We called on up. Luckily this one had a shower, but not much else.

We have done 20kms under budget, this might bight us hard on the last day. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Daily Stats

Distance 108kms

Time 5hours 49mins

Elevation  866meters

Speed 18.6kms

When Brett suggested the KAW, a 350km mainly off road route spanning the home counties, a few months ago I was decidedly cautions. But as these things transpire we organised a date and 4 days to do the 350kms +50kms to the route and back. Even I can work out with my basic arithmetic that’s 100kms a day.

We weighed both our bikes. Brett (60kgs)and his bike (20kgs) fully loaded weight the same as I do. My bike weighs 25kgs. No wonder I’m slower up the hills 🤦.

So I found myself waking at 6.30, early enough to finalise setup, then cycle the 30kms to Wantage to meet Brett at 9am.

We were both early so keen we were to get on the way.  Straight up Chain Hill out of Wantage then turn left onto the chalk path of the Ridgeway.

As we turned along the path excitement and joy hit me, to be back in the saddle riding an off road route bike fully loaded. The sun was shining. Whoop. As is our want we both set off at a leg destroying pace, Brett faster on the paths and me on the rough stuff.  Half an hour past we were plummeting down a steep descent fissures crossing the path our wheels in deep ruts.  I clanged my pedal on the rut top and nearly flew to the ground. At the bottom we both decided we were riding at a speed way above our ability. We advised caution to each other and proceeded at a more sensible pace.

The route dips in and out of towns. Out coffee stop was Goring, coffee and cakes the cyclists dream. As we were sitting a group of guys stood by our bikes pointing out different parts. Brett and I too tired/lazy to saunter across to talk to them. But as they walked past us on their way they called across, Great bikes and setup. Brett and I beamed with pride.

On we rode closing to our designated 100kms. I stopped and had to refuel a bit, minutes before we spotted a Sainsbury Supermarket.

Our campsite was only 5 kms away.

Remember to follow our dots at https://eur-share.explore.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

Daily Stats

Distance: 104kms

Elevation: 1488meters

Time: 5hours 33 mins

Speed: 19.4kph

Accumulated Distance: 257kms

Daily Disasters: Ended up at hotel no real food ate dates/yoghurt/ mixed nuts/musli bar. Then found shop open and bought crisps/ canned tuna/sparkling water/bread. My stomach doesn’t know if its upside down or right way up.

We had a bit of breakfast in our room then packed everything up and was put the hotel door by about 7.30.

Just over the river and coffee and cake.  Not our best find.

This was our longest day yet, we started steady as we k ew the profile of our ride was up and up.

We had some shenanigans with sunflowers

I actually took a video

After the first 20kms or so we turned off the main road and from then on we were honoured by olive, citrus, grapes and grains spreading before us. Such a joy. We went through some beautiful villages, brunch, lunch, tea.

Shinnanikins with exercise equipment.

The final of our day was of course a climb and descent.  Of course no-one was at the hotel, we waited for half an hour until someone turned up. Our room was quite nice.

Please follow out trip here. There is a dot every 10 mins: https://share.garmin.com/acoupleofdaysrideoutta

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