Today was much shorter only 52 miles (84 km) but hillier 😳 some 4,800 ft (1400 metres) of ascent and in Garmins world only 9 climbs.
I might have mentioned it's been wet, in an effort to dry my shoes out, last night I had the hairdryer on them 😧 my socks are in polythene bags & as for gloves, it's easier just to put them on wet & peel them off at the end of the day! If anyone has any tips on drying stuff out please let me know - all help appreciated 😊
For some people today was epic & amazing 🤩 for me today has been tough, we are all different having to dig deep, straight out of the hotel this morning, it was cold & wet 🌧️ within the first 1km we had to start climbing, my Garmin flashed up an incline of 28% probs for 60/70 metres on cold legs it was a bit of a shock 😳 having ascended we then descended & did maybe 15/18 miles on the flat alongside the river Tavoro into a bit of a headwind 🌬️🚴♀️ after a very welcome coffee "brew" stop we had a 9.74 km climb to face with an average gradient of 5% degrees 🤯😳🥵
Nigel from Sydney kept me company on the climb, we chatted, had a couple of photo stops and carried on. Once we got into a rhythm it made life a lot easier, the gradients weren't unmanageable, so a huge THANK YOU! We all have good and bad days, a few friendly words & a bit of encouragement help us get thru and tomorrow will be totally different 😊🚴♀️👍
Let's talk food 🍲 😋😋🥞We have eaten well during the first few days & long may it continue 👍 Mike one of our guides, did a picnic lunch yesterday which was delicious, rolls, chicken, salad, delicious coconut cake, he even managed to arrange the weather so it stopped raining whilst we ate, so a big thumbs up 👍
The table last night was set & looked like something out of Harry Potter 🧙🪄a huge fireplace in the room, perfect for a roaring fire on cold winter nights!
We dived into the feast on the table, chorizos, salads, breads, olives, mushrooms, beans only to be told these were the h'orderves, the starter would follow shortly:- vegetable soup, followed by Duck with Rice, or Fish or the Vegetarian option, followed by a selection of fruit:- persimmon, melon, pear & deserts:- crème brûlée, pastries, cake 😋😋all washed down with locally produced Red, White or Rose wine, topped off with a local Port! It was superb 👌
Lunch today was equally amazing, a small village in the middle of nowhere, the place was rammed! No menus you were served whatever they were serving, and it was delicious 😋 the choice on the table were incredibly tender huge pork ribs or fish with chips and/or rice! Desert was either cake or fruit salad - just what was needed after a gruelling morning.
A not so flattering photo on one of the climbs in the drizzle (great jacket though) 😊👍
Following an afternoon of being chased & followed by dogs, a few more climbs, a bit more drizzle & a very warm welcome from Seb at the brew stop, tonight we are staying in a convent (as you do) so no cursing or misbehaving, best bib & tucker & all that stuff 😂😂
Thank you for reading, have a lovely evening & let hope it stops raining soon 🌧️👍 xx
Please leave a comment, your email address will not be published - thank you 😊
Add comment
Comments
Another tough day but you done it and none of you are going hungry food sounds lovely 😊
Thank you, I think I’ll come home 2 sizes larger 😂 x
My goodness- sounds more like sailing than cycling with all that water around. I hope you get some brighter weather soon. Such diversity in food and accommodation. It’s an amazing experience. If anyone can dig deep Wendy it’s you. Keep on battling x
lol….😂 I could certainly do with some flippers 🤣
Another amazing day of achievement!
I love the idea of the food but the hills put me off !
Sounds like a great company to travel with?
It’s all good once you get going - honest 😳
Well done looks amazing
Thank you, it’ is amazing 🤩
Well amazing food helps, a really though day but yeah I do hope the rain stops. But you can do it ☺️
Thank you, the food is amazing and definitely helps x
I feel for you, especially that first climb which was an absolute killer - most of our group got off and walked! Tomorrow is another day🤞
Thanks Sara, a lot of people did get off and walk. Tomorrow is another day & I’m sure for me will be a lot better 😊🚴♀️
Oh Wendy I feel for you. Some good bits ie the foodl and wine and some less enjoyable that we won’t go into. The “Harry Potter” dining room looks amazing are all of Hogwarts on your trip?
Dx❤️
I’m not sure all of Hogwarts are on the trip 😂 but you could almost expect one of the house elves to pop out & serve you something out!
Great day Wendy ❤️
Thank you for your comment, it was an excellent day 👌
Maybe ‘Sister Wendy’ needs to say a few prayers whilst in the convent to the rain Gods 🤔😂 🤞🏻you get a dry day today😎
lol….. probs be a good idea 😂😂 was also thinking of doing a rain dance 😂
Only suggestions I can think of - newspaper in the shoes ASAP and changed at least once. When I wash stuff I get as much water out as poss, then one by one, lay items out (driest or least wet first) out on a towel - roll up and wring out. Sounds like a great landscape - top quality food - shame about the weather. Kudos WendyB ☔️
Thanks Richard, newspaper not available so towels used instead. I need to check out these Boulders they are very random & amazing! The food is wonderful & I’m sure the Weather will improve soon 🤞
It sounds like a challenging day with all that incline … I cannot believe Garmins states that’s the equivalent of 9 climbs … sounds like they missed a 0 off and it should be 90 🤣
I’m praying 🙏 you have some drier weather!
The views look amazing! You must have had some amazing food and your description in the evening meal has got me very hungry!
Sounds like that feast was timed to perfection with the challenges you have all faced!
If anyone can do this you can! You’ve got this!
Thank you Sean, you really are very kind. Today’s climbs were longer but easier so that was good. I’m also praying for drier weather so that we all enjoy Portugal 🇵🇹 I hope you and Flávio have a wonderful time, enjoy x
Hope it stops raining for you, looks like fantastic views.
Thank you Lou, the views are incredible & would be even better when it stops raining x