What a chestnut!

…of a ride, that is. But first things first, look who I’ve found (extra!) I’ll come back to that.

Today’s ride was stupendous! I was quite excited anyway by the knowledge I’d be finishing on a downhill but I wasn’t expecting my first downhill to be this magnificent. What a road! The views were beautiful, the tarmac smooth and the turns a perfect angle.

I only went through two places today, one unbelievably large for being in the middle of nowhere with tall buildings and narrow streets.  Nothing seemed open apart from the roast chicken van at about 10.30am! The scenery then changed as I started my way up through mountainsides of chestnut trees and one tiny village. I’ve been looking up how they harvest them as they go on forever and are almost ready.

The ascent was the craziest, wiggliest road ever on the slightest of inclines for about six miles. The trees gave beautiful shade and there were only two moments of steepness, and they were moments! 

Once over that climb, the scenery changed to pine trees with their beautiful scent emitting strongly in the heat. I realised there had been no cars at all and just the odd local walking on the road. It was just me and the lizards to the  top. I paused for a sandwich when the road levelled out and I realised I could see the sea! 

Once I reached the main road, it was plain sailing (apart from a short stretch where I was unlucky with about ten lorries overtaking me on bends (lived to tell the tale!)) 

Thoroughly enjoyed a fast descent down to Ronda, a quick shower and out to meet the boys for a drink. They flew out last Saturday for a week but Rich isn’t going home with them. I’m now busily making room in the van and reminding myself I can share!  I have 36 hours to believe it! ;D