A Couple of Days Ride Outta…….

There are are a few things i feel i am quite good at, but organisation really is not my friend. So yesterday as i was relaxing waiting for the rain to stop. I booked the ferry back to Portsmouth (17th Sept), messaged Luke asking him if its ok to stay a day or 2 (of course it will be his first few days of term), and booked 3 nights at an Airbnb 12-15th Sept in close proximity to the Angliru (surprisingly harder to do than expected) and researched campsites along the route to the bnb at reasonably sensible distances.

The 1st day of the 4 days to the bnb was fast and furious. So flat and beautiful agricultural land spreading out ahead, as always i started early and as i sped through towns there really was no one about. I found a cafe open, attached to a petrol station.

For some reason i lost my sequencing and i left my coin purse there, i discovered 5kms from the town, i didnt have the enthusiasm to return to get it as only €3 in it.

I pressed on, seeing the distance and time is never good as it makes me think, ooo i wonder if i can get to the campsite by, 12 in this instance. I push harder, it really wasn’t that tough and i was enjoying it.

I arrived before 11.30 so tent up, drying from the rain last night. The guy at reception informed me there was a festival on and all shops were closed, i searched they really were all closed, bars snd resturants were open but rammed full of festive residents smartly dressed to party. The throngs scared me.

Heres hoping there will be somewhere open tomorrow. 🤞 And the rugby world cup is starting do i have to make provision for that, its getting complicated.

And i met an English couple who recomended a Bill Bryson book, Down Under, that i have now purchased, heres hoping i read it.

I spluttered out of bed, later than usual. Slow to unfold my aching body. The bike packing up routine i have pretty well down. I unpack as little as possible at night so the morning routine is short and easy. This is accomplished so much easier if the bike is in the room. Thank you to the owner of last nights hostel for allowing this.

Komoot often likes to take me on a convoluted route to the road i need to be on, often this involves stairs up and down twists and turns, usually to accomplish 5 meters of travel that i could of done by crossing the road. Today i thought this was the case, i ignored Komoot and got lost, and had to retrace back to the start.

The route today was flat over the Spanish plains. Beautiful rolling hills. Trees dotted all over the landscape.

I checked and rechecked that the campsite i was aiming for was still open. The sun shining on my back, perfect temperature for cycling.

As i got closer i sped up, such great views left snd right, then a roundabout and down a gravel track, i became dubious, i could see a gate that looked closed. It was open and i swung in, i looked at the reception doors and windows, firmly closed, im oretty sure at this moment my head sagged, but the tinkling of glasses and i turned and saw a woman clearing tables looking at me and smiling. The joy on my faces must have been radient.

She gave me a mug of chocolate and we waited for her husband to return to check me in. 20 mins later all checked in and this happened

But an hour later the storm had stopped my tent was up. I had showered in the immaculately clean shower block, my cycling clothes were washed and hung to dry.

Unfortunately also the eater turned off again by the morning, not an overly chipper morning.

After yesterdays debacle i felt surorisingly goid in the morning. The newly designed route took me on the service road beside a motorway. I was expecting this to go on for ages but it was surprisingly short and not too bumpy.

I had one bigish mountain to get up about 1850meters and 10kms long. There were a few 13/14% kicks but most was ok.

Then it was down down the 20kms to Segovia, which is very beautiful. I had finally found a campsite, unfortunately it had been clised fir a year or 2. Its website is still up and running. So once again i am in a hostel.

Sometimes things get to your hitting you again and again ripping the motivation out of you heart and the energy from your legs.

I rolled out of old Toledo and through the city gates.

These were all within 20kms from Toledo. But definately were not the only examples of the devastation

But a couple made me detour from my 80km route to a campsite. 80kms seem like a breeze. But hot and humid saps the energy and strength.

Looking at the map, i discover i am only 20kms from the campsite, i give a little skip.

When i saw this. I looked at the route plan, easy adjust another bridge 5kms further along, but that ain’t there. A policeman said there is a third bridge further along, thqt i might be sble to walk through the water, but another said no way. I rode half way to the third bridge and met s german guy who took me on a 5km off road wild goosechase, i was knackered and so frustrated at the end of the 4kms.

The problem is, these bridges are the gateway to the north. To not go over them, which i obviously cannot involves a massive detour.

Some national guard guys suggested a route, 1st of sll i had to retrace my original route, when i got to the potential short cut it was barred. Each time these things are happening i am getting more grumpy and demotivated. I sat in a petrol station trying to see where to go. There is a potential service road up the side of the motorway, but this is a gravel road and possibly waterlogged.

I booked a hostel, another drying of the land day can only do good.

When i got to the hostal, its a bit sleazy. I got to my room and discover because of the floods there is no water till 8pm and its only 4.

I have apent a bit of time and i believe i have set up a route that may work tomorrow 🤞

Nowhere to eat and the supermarket is horrible.

Days off are always boring, when your days have been bursting with energy and pushed to the limits, to lie and do nothing is a real struggle. So i messaged my friend Shpend renowned for his sage counsel. I told him i was bored and also i was up on schedule and definately didn’t want to be in the north too early for La Vuelta. I also mentioned i had talked to a guy who had said how beautiful Toledo was. Shpend just kicked my ass and said, do a short day on Monday, as a recovery ride, to Toledo and enjoy the sights. Now I am here, I can hardly say how pleased i am with the decision.

Lay awake, looking at the room ceiling till maybe 3am when i finally nodded off. Waking at about 8am. Packed, coffee at the hostal and on the route.

2 days of absolute torrential rain had caused devastation.

Rwmember my pictures will never do it justice. But Toledo, highly recommended.

20 mins into todays ride i knew i needed a longer rest than just atopping early. So i looked ahead, fired up Bookings.com and found a hotel for 2 nights. I had a fitful night last night, waking 3 or 4 times, i know, it’s the haircut. Of course it didnt stop it from being a 140km ride today.

It’s really my ass that is hurting, and certain areas have been rubbed to excess and need some healing time. The saddle is the culprit…. if you knew how many saddles i have tried.

I saw a tractor garthering all decorated with flowers, i should have taken a picture but didn’t. I also saw some granite fence posts that were georgeous, also no picture. I worked hard to get to the hotel as early as possible. I told the owner 5 but arrived at 4.

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.

My alarm went off at 5 30 but unusually i think i dozed for a bit. But time waits for no man. I packed squeezed into the lift and descended. So much bashing and crashing at that time. But outside i asked the streed cleaners where i coukd find water. They pratically took me to the fountain, so helpful. Then into a cafe for coffee.

As always great to off. I descended a bit and wished i had put on a long sleeve, but as soon as tge road turned up i was hot. The darkness hides the land scape but entering the district of Jaén there is a gurantee of olive trees and millions of them.

The olive groves stretch throughout the day. My usual snipof information is, Spain produces more olive oil than the next 3 countries combined. (Italy, Greece and Turkey i think 🤔)

Such a beautiful route today.

I got into Martos i went for the 1st cafe. It was ok. Unfortunately i discovered many beautiful parts of the town later

I stopped in the Coviran in Arjona and bought some quick eat provisions. As i was consumibg tgem in a close park the owner came out and gave me a bottle of water. So kind.

Then i rode on, discovered the campsite i was aiming for was not a campsite. I med a South African who had been living im Morocco and was travelling on a motorbike to start work in Madrid. I eventually stopped in a rest/picnic area. Waited till it was nearly dark and put up my tent. Today was a good day.

A week at Camping Orgiva. It was like coming home, to see my friends Lynne, Chris and Moira welcome me. Gave me a warm glow inside. The magnitude of the effort of completing the Badlands route, some people may say a little foolhardy to do this in the middle of summer.

My friend Adam commented, Looks bloody gruelling. I replied, The struggle is what gives it value. If it’s easy it’s hardly worth achieving.

From Malaga i did 15 days, 13 rides, 835 kms

The Badlands Route. I did 13 days, 11 rides 724kms with 13646meters.

The day temperature was never below 40⁰c and top temp was 55⁰c

Incidentally the Badlands race is just about to start on 3rd Sept.

The moment i leave I am jetesoned back into travelling mode.

Road riding has its plusses, you are not shaken to death and battered every day. I like to take brakes, eat as much as i can, drink when needed. But my saddle is not overly my friend and its all prerty tame.

I got into Alcalá la Real at about 4.40 it promised 2 camping spots but one was a caravan park and tge other was a football stadium. I couldnt be bothered to carry on so Hostal Reo De Oro it is. Safely tucked up.

I

I have stayed at Camping Trevelez a few times but surprisingly nearly empty. Too lazy to cook i ate at their resturant.

The next morning instead of the 4.30 start I slept till 6 and probably left just after 7.

To get a coffee i would have to cycle down a few hundred meters and it wasn’t in me to do so. The route zig zagged up on a steep concrete road with small ridges across, particularly unpleasant.

But eventually the road levelled out and i rode with a broad smile across my face, each turn revealed a vista so awesome. And a place to cook my own coffee.

There was one section that needed some careful walk descending and ascending. But after that a roll down fast descent into Capileria where officially the Badlands Route finishes.

It’s always a bitter sweet feeling. I really enjoyed the Badlands route, but it was a bitch of a challenge. My friend Brett asked me how hard and definately this is the hardest route i have undertaken. Not helped by the 40⁰+ temperatures, it was sweltering and the limited supply of water. Glad i brought my filter. I see pictures of the race and groups of gravel riders i am very pleased i succeeded alone.

Yes yes sometimes i could have done with company but as always overcoming the terrain, the heat, limited water, mechanicals, route problems, food problems, alone is an accomplishment to be valued.

From Capileria its a downhill tarmac roll to Orgiva.

I am now ensconced at Camping Orgiva for 5 days to a week before travelling north to watch the Vuelta ascend the Angliru.

Be ready for next block to start in a week or so.