Wednesday. 05.06.19

Azenhas do Mar - Lisbon

Today has been a day of total contrasts - absolutely awful/delightful and everything in between. As the awful was at the beginning of the day I shall begin with that and make no apology for telling it as it was! We had spent a short burst on a mainish road and after some discussion decided to go with the EV route. It plunged down to within inches of the beach, crossed a river and thence followed our worst experience to date. Even allowing for our advancing years this was a route to test the most resolute cyclist. It began with a climb (quite used to that) on sandy but solid ground for around 50metres. Then we were on loose gravelly sand, followed by loose rock and inclines of more than 10 - 15%. Downhill was just as difficult to negotiate, throwing the wheels in all directions and with no stability and no passing traffic of any kind, an accident would have been a serious incident so we walked! No escape was possible so perseverance was required. After some 4 kilometres and when we thought things could deteriorate no further, they did. We faced a climb so severe that the only way to achieve the summit was for two of us to push one bike and then return for the other and repeat the exercise. Underfoot purchase was unreliable (sort of two steps forward and one back) and the weight unrelenting. After some 6 kilometres and about two hours later, we reached a metalled road albeit and uphill one, but a doddle after our recent ascents.

Our reward for all this effort was a magnificent downhill into Cascais and a long run along a superb bike track right on the edge of the sea. We positively sailed along in the sunshine greeting oncoming cyclists with a relieved smile. This continued until we reached Lisbon. Now, I acknowledge that we are not really city folk but one thing worse than a city, is one full of sightseers. As we left the riverside, we found ourselves engulfed the multitudinous hordes, all of whom seemed oblivious of everyone and everything outside their own group including two socking great bikes! Nonetheless, we wove our way ever upwards, in search of our hotel! It seemed to be one hop ahead of us for about two kilometres; as we got close so it hopped. An hour after departing the river, hooray and hoorah it stopped moving and we put our bikes in a lift which took us down to the parking - it took the cars too!

I am certain that the city of Lisbon is a grand one and that all those folk were having a good day but just not our bag.

So, a day of mixed emotions but a certain amount of pride in successfully achieving our destination.

From be sea - follow the yellow bits

Thursday.  06. 06. 19

Lisbon - Setubal

Following the experience of yesterday, we paid more than usual heed to the proceedings for this day. Our first move was to catch the ferry across to the other side of the river and then according to EV we were going to cover 84 kilometres of coastal hills! Now, based on experience, we were reluctant to commit ourselves to such an undertaking. In addition to the uncertainty of the safety of the route, was a pretty rubbish weather forecast. Heavy rain and strong winds were expected around 4 o'clock and no amount of grit and determination was going to allow us to meet our target of Setabul in good time. The decision was made to stick with the main drag and a shorter route which would ensure that we beat the rain to our accommodation (not the tent!)

As it turned out, this was a wise move,as less than a third of the way into the ride, the GPS gave up the ghost. Maybe in sympathy, I know not.

A generally uneventful day and just what the doctor ordered.