The first day always starts with exuberance! Like a race horse out of the gate I have energy, excitement and nerves all together. My anticipation for the hills keeps me on my edge. I’m prepared with a map, extra snacks, water and a route. Once I find my way out of the city into “el campo” I feel my body loosen. This I know, this is riding a bike.

My assessment by kilometer 16: I’m in over my head. It’s hot, the hills are consistant and this bike, weighted down with all my gear moves like a sloth. I have doubt looming like a big cloud. It’s harder than I wanted and I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve wildly overestimated the distances I can make. Suddenly this entire idea of biking southern spain seems dumb and I’m hovering on regret. 

Kilometer 22: I stop and eat. It’s clear to me I can not rely on the biking times from google maps. (small over sight on my part). I need to double the time and now this 4 hour ride has become an all day endeavor. I realize we weren’t really covering that much distance in Mallorca, and suddenly that inflated confidence from my time there has a pin prick in it. Time to shift my perceptions. I’m bike touring again….  slow and full days on the bike where I enjoy the journey and let go of time.

Kilometer 28: That same bike I was bemoaning has just become my best asset! All of a sudden the road shifts to gravel! Maybe these ciclotourismo rentals DO have a purpose.

 Kilometer 42: I have made it to Castro del Rey – over my half way mark! I actually made it here a little faster than expected, to find an artisans festival underway and the streets full of people. Kindenss is extended when a shop keeper gives me free fruit and offers to watch my bike while I wander around looking for a meal. They role my bohemith (with panniers!) into the middle of their tiny tienda and tell me “no hay problema!”.  

Olive, olive, olive trees as far as the eye can see!

Kilometer 50: It is still the heat of the day and I have a touch of heat exhaustion. The hill/heat combo is one I won’t order again. I’ve found some shade under an olive tree to wait it out. My leg muscles are cramping and I make a mental note to find a pharmacy and get potassium-magnesium tablets. It’s peaceful under the tree and reminds me of the rythym of bike touring; take breaks when you are tired and enjoy the surroundings. 

Kilometer 63: I make it to Doña Mencia, my destination for the night! My intention of wild camping somewhere is out the window as I found a good deal on a swanky hotel. With in minutes of check in I’m in the pool cooling this overheated body. The sanity of touring European style (carry no weight and stay in hotels each night) is dawning on me. What I once denounced as too expensive or luxurious is feeling pretty darn good! I feel safe and able to recuperate.

Fried eggplant with honey. Divine…almost a dessert!

And so it is with travel, today my internal ride matches the rolling ups and downs of the countyside.