I’ve had 3 days in Granada…. and truth is I’m itching to get back on the bike. I actually spent half the last day on a ride up into the foot hills of the mountains where Granada is nestled. It was dreamy…. the colors of autumn starting, golden grasses in the october sun. I could have ridden for hours carried along by the vistas, but I chose the resevoir as a turn around point.
Victor and his friends have told me the ride from Granada to Orgiva is easy… all downhill. “You’ll be there in 2.5 hours” they said. I think they were drunk…. or were thinking about road bikes…. or have mistaken me for superwoman. Regardless it is a great ride with a big open valley and the autumn sun. The landscape changes, different color rock, drier until I get into the base of the mountains. 
A funny thing happened when I stopped for lunch today. I was the only person eating outside at this random restaurant when 2 guys pull up to the place and come over and sit down at my table. Picture this; There are at least 10 empty tables and I’m at the last one. They walk over, plop down, pull out their cigarettes and start smoking! In my most casual Spanish I try to assess what their doing but they don’t say much, so neither do I! I go right on eating my tomatoes and toast. Eventually I learn they are mechanics and it’s a lunch break which they are doing right – cervezas and tapas! We talk about travel and life until it’s time for me to continue on. Oh Spain, you dish up some funny stuff! Back to the ride…..
Lanjaron is a town at the foothills of the Sierra Madre. I am taken with this tiny town, it’s tree lined main street and fountains. It’s a green oasis in all this dry. Known for its water, the town bottles and sells it. I’ve been drinking their water for weeks, no wonder I’m drawn to it.
The day ends in Orgiva, at a warm showers stay, hosted by a lovely British couple at their beautiful place. A great first day back in the saddle.
Mirczak's Magical Year 