nbjtours

Cabo de San Vicente

88 miles  6013 ft climbed

603 miles total cycled

The objective achieved this afternoon just before 4 o’clock was not without its trial and tribulations but thankfully not as tough as the last tour.

Having decided to take the scenic routes through the final stages of the Serra de Monchique we were due a right turn but were confronted by the sight of the camper coming back down the road toward us.

Nigel was succinct, you can’t go down there lads, it’s just gravel, there is no real road, he offered us a ride in the camper but we had had already too much of that on this trip. Looking at the maps there was not an alternative but Garmin suggested there was.  So two really tough hills later and an extra couple of miles and we were back on track.

During the trip we have heard Cuckoos every day and Nick has grown to despise their evil intent so much so that he has denied their existence. Our lunch stop today was graced by the unexciting chorus of the Cuckoo.  Even Monica suggested that it said something impolite!

To crack on today we left our forest track campsite at 7.06 only six minutes late from scheduled, to a misty but clear day 

The benefits of leaving early were cooler temperatures and terrific views over the hills as the mist settled into the valleys. The temperature difference was quite marked between top and bottom. 

Having had an early stop by 9, before our big 1000ft climb of the day helped, and of any climb we have done it was the most pleasant with the gradient only getting to 7% at worst  

The top of the climb did give us our first glimpse of the sea but with only 55 miles covered there was still plenty of cycling to go. 

The day got very warm and with the mercury reaching over 30 C water and sun cream were essential friends. On Some of the steep climbs it felt like you would burst.

Following passing through Monchique Nigel had stopped for our full breakfast stop of frankfurters and scrambled eggs when we were joined by a Cornishman for coffee whose  mates then joined us briefly before setting off. Incredibly one of them owns property in the same small town in Brazil as Nigel

Whilst on occasion we found our legs tired,  the final 5 mile blast was along the main road to Sagres which we were able to peloton in style at 20 mph. 

The tour is over successfully, legs are aching and plans for the next adventure in 2019 are already underway. The cyclists fly back tomorrow and Nigel and Monica have some free time to wander back to the UK more slowly exploring the wilds of Portugal.

Until then thank you for being interested.    Nick , Chris and I will keep cycling. We remain eternally indebted to Nigel and Monica for  their unwavering assistance and care throughout and we look forward to the next adventure in two years time

Boas Viagens.