Day 112 8th November
49miles (Pruna to El Chorro) Average speed 12.1 mph Top speed 35 mph
My favourite ride way back in Jadraque has today been well and truly surpassed. It was the most spectacular 50 miles I’ve ever known.
Brekkie was minimal as hotel wasn’t really set up, so I had a coffee in town, bought some bread for lunch and just another coffee and cake at hotel. Checked out after a very hot shower.
Morning in Pruna
Absolutely fabulous day. I think the best ride yet. Beautiful mountain scenery on busy but good roads. I was enjoying the ride so much that the occasional lorry was a bonus rather than a hindrance as the backdraft pulled me up the hills. I had a good following wind just when I needed a push up a big hill but the gradients were generally gradual and although sometimes long, definitely preferable to steep short bursts.
Road into the hills
The A375 was a great ride through the mountains and it was followed by a great road to El Chorro.
Shepherd and sheep in a valley
Lake in the mountains
Daytime Moon over the mountain
A beautiful ride through the mountains and lakes.
Cliff view
I met the lovely Hanaka at the roadside admiring a goat but my wisdom of wildlife pointed out that it was an ibex.
Ibex (right in the middle of the picture standing on the rock)
We chatted for a while and I followed her at walking pace. She was from Utrecht and a spychologist studying brain damaged patients.
(Ermintrude ; I know that’s a typo, but I thought it was a beautifully descriptive term and should become part of the language so I’ve left it in!)
(Ermintrude ; Did you show her any of these? And she didn’t run away?)
Very interesting chat and I agreed to meet her at El Chorro for a drink. Unfortunately the campsite was closed and I had to cycle all the way back up to a hostel pretty much where I had met Hanaka.
A truly wonderful day and now I’m in a fabulous hostel, just about to tuck into entrecôte steak with Alhambra special after a very hot full size bath.
Entrcote steak and chips
Tomorrow I hope to take on the Caminito del Rey. This is the most beautiful scenery I’ve yet to witness. I’m almost speechless, it’s an incredible place!
Hostel el Penos