44 miles (70 km), 3967 ft (1210m) of ascent, a total of 9 climbs (according to Garmin). I'm using my Felt Endurance bike it has Di2, a 50/34 Shimano Ultegra gearing with a 34 cassette, hopefully enough for the hills.
Yikes, day 1 we are off. I flew to Porto in Northern Portugal and have been driven to Paradela Dam for the start of the ride. True to my usual style it is lashing it down with rain 🌧️.
For the cycle/bike nuts amongst (& I include myself in this category), I have put the total distances every day, the number of climbs Garmin tells we have done and the ascent. It's good to know, so we can all pat ourselves on the back, and tell ourselves how good we all are 🤣🤣.
We have a nice hilly start to the route, heading to Mondim de Basto, I've added 2 photos, the first was the view when we started, the 2nd is the view 20 ish mins later, when the mist descended 😱 Because of the rain, there was lots of silt, leaves 🍁 grit & shale on the roads coming off the hills. So going up was concerning & coming down was scary, 😧 I think I need new brake pads & we are only on day 1 😂
We had been warned about wild dogs, who apparently like to have a go at the cyclists 🤯 fortunately for us today they seemed to be fairly docile, probably because it was soooo wet!! We delayed setting off from a late lunch due to a thunderstorm ⛈️ the rain was torrential! (Hmmm there seems to be a bit of a theme about me & cycle holidays 😳😂)
Interestingly when the mist cleared, we could see why the roads where in such bad condition. The wild fires here during the summer have left the land scorched & blackened, completely burnt & destroyed - I have tried to capture a photo, but it's hard to describe. It must have been terrifying for the local Community.
At the bottom of the photo, you can see the new shoots of fern coming through - it is truly amazing how nature recovers itself given time.
The later part of the day, coming down one of the hills, we had to navigate our way through a herd of mountain goats 🐐- not something you do generally in Leicestershire 😂
The last 400 metres up to the hotel was on very slippy wet cobbles with an incine of approx 9%, however the hotel is lovely & was well worth the cursing 🤬. The last picture is a view from my room, the mist & gloom still hang very heavy, I'm sure the view would be lovely if you could see it!
I have to thank 2 people today that have really helped me - Sean Gannon, a member of Wendy's Wheelers & a great runner, 🏃 he has helped me with the various types of coffee & some great basic words of Portuguese 🇵🇹 I can use 👍 & Sara Kirk for the left turn & cobbles warning extremely helpful - thank you both xx
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Oh Wendy, what an eventful day 1!!!!
Your blog is inspirational and educational!
Heartbreaking for the communities affected by the forest fires.
You have experienced a lot with the hills …. Rain … mist… steep hills, wet cobbled streets and goats 🤣
I hope your brakes last the duration.
Sounds like you deserve a good nights rest, some good food and wine 🍷
Thank you Sean, you are very kind. A variety on rides makes life more interesting, although I could do without the rain 🌧️
Hopefully the weather will pick up stay away from the wild dogs you are right nature is amazing
Thank you Chris, I’ve got my fingers crossed we don’t see any more wild dogs 🐕 😳🤞
Glad you made it through Day 1. It’s all downhill from now (apart from the odd uphill). Hope the weather improves for you. Lovely to see see Peter and Christine Briggs are sharing the journey with you xx
Thank you Sara, I was sat with Christine this evening at supper, what a small world it is xx
awesome - keep going - almost makes me want to saddle up - but not quite. Ran in torrential rain today - nowhere near as bad as yours!
Thanks Liz, hope you are both well. We will try and get you out on your bike at some point 😳👍
Wow Wendy what an amazing person you are! What a ride! I’ll show Richard - he’ll b v interested in the stats.
In complete contrast, we were v thrilled last Fri to cycle to Foxton Locks for the jazz band there - our biggest total mileage on the chariot - 36 miles!! Today’s stunning -we’ll b out & out soon - v addictive isn’t it?
Thank you Mary. I’m really glad you got to cycle to Foxton Locks it’s a lovely place to go. I think cycling is addictive others may disagree with us 😳
Intrepid as usual Wendy. I am in Monaco -a much gentler option !! Well done you, keep going!
Thank you Lesley, given all the rain we have had Monaco sounds like a very nice option & probs slightly warmer and dryer! Enjoy & have a fab time xx
Amazing 🤩 hope you having a lovely time ❤️