Day 2
Monterroso- Allariz
82 miles 8825 ft climbing
Today was all about gorges and climbing. However as ever on these challenges things did not quite go to plan Firstly the road we were meant to take did not exist causing us to descend on a road that was barely used with grass growing in the middle as we descended the side of the valley 
Then after a very late breakfast stop st 1 pm the road we were due to take was closed and whilst on a bike we can usually sneak past it just was not the case today as a 6 ft drop onto sand and no road ahead meant a 5 mile detour – the first half downhill and the second half uphill on a road used for the Vuelta last year. All told these diversions added 10 miles and 1500 ft of climbing leaving Chris and me shattered after a very tough day. They did also as usual add those special sights sounds ( still loads of cuckoos) that makes these trips special.
It all started so well with the initial few miles on quiet country lanes squeezing through tiny villages 
The morning was chilly and luckily had a milky sky keeping the temperature down although by the afternoon it cleared and hit 30 degrees ( the rain is due tomorrow sadly)
We had decided this morning that by setting off early at 8.30 we could have brunch at around 11.00 however because of the terrain and route change we actually did not get what was now lunch of bacon and scrambled eggs until 1pm ! 
Whilst this had taken about an hour and a half longer than we expected the scenery was superb as was the yellow broom lighting up the hills or indeed the white broom which I have not seen before. 
Incredibly even down in the depths of the gorges, whilst there was absolutely no traffic- not a single car passed us for two hours- we did see the odd farmer tending to his grapes on the terraced hillside whilst he played soothing music to them through loudspeakers to make them happy grapes , according to Nick. In the middle of nowhere we also saw an old lady walking with a stick who looked like she had come straight from the Middle Ages with missing teeth and a long skirt. As we rode towards her she moved off the road as if a juggernaut was heading her way instead of three smelly Lycra clad cyclists.
Having run alongside this first gorge we then crossed over the dam to head up to our lunch stop which Nigel located in its usual picturesque spot.
Having then got down onto the gorge we then had to get our way out which was then a 1400 ft climb onto the plateau above made worse by the final 599 ft gradient getting steeper.
By this time both Chris and I were struggling with the constant up and down and Nick was leading the way more than ever. 
We then had the closed road which meant a hastily arranged detour through the village of Trios after the necessary , map, Garmin and Googlemaps consultation.
The one thing the the detour did give apart from sore legs and a sit down in a bus shelter near the top of the climb was a superb view from the terrace from one on the 10 houses in Trios
We found the campsite at around seven and averaged a paltry 11 mph for the day but did complete the most climbing in a day ever.
Tomorrow will see us leave Spain and arrive into Portugal with rain expected in the afternoon-wish us luck as more climbing awaits already tired limbs.
nbjtours 