You know the old adage about repeating the same mistake and expecting a different outcome being a definition of insanity? I regret we two are living truth that it is entirely true.
We finish every cycling trip saying we are going to train for the next one and in the measntimne learn how to use one of the 5 navigation apps we have properly.
So today we choose a short 20 mile hop along the coast hopping from pone playa to the next, so taking into account our lack of miles in the bike legs.
The day started with a nice chat with Bill and Mary who watched us load the bikes for the off – with great amusement. The lack of a kitchen sink was mentioned. They were camper banners until Brexit put an end to that. They were still bitter about it.
We expected lots of this:
and this:
and instead we got lots and lots of this:
Now this may not look too steep, but when its one of twenty or so it gets to be a little – demanding – shall we say – on untrained legs.
So what went wrong? We started our on a familiar and tested route through and out of Alicante. A nice safe bike path, segregated from cars and pedestrians. Perfect. Well done the city fathers. Or mothers of course. Apologies. Then along a seafront and prom, cyclists and walkers expected to get along together. Nice and broad, no problem.
Then our Komoot app wants to take us onto the N233. Less good, but safe enough, just busy. But we spot a local sign offering us a route back to the beaches. What do we do? Ditch Komoot and head for the sea. Another shared Prom along Playa S. Jean, but just fine. But wait! What are these no cycling signs? Believe it or not, we are forced back onto the narrow main through road: much to the annoyance of the local drivers, although they are very patient in truth.
We switch on Google Maps cycle routes to help us out. It takes us up (yes up) to the village of Viena – and into trouble. We make the one difficult route decision with great care and are rewarded with a nice white arrow tracking us on the right blue path. That is, until it has a mental break down and tells us to perform a u-turn every 500 metres, back and forth on the same road.
We have no idea how to get out of this, so what to do? Flag down a local of course. Ah, he says, it’s all turned around now and the usual route is no longer possible. Do we want to go the long way by road or over the mountain on a track for a shortcut? The road would be nice we politely say. He then gives us this list of turns to take – even writes them out for us.
Now you see where this takes us? Back to the N322 we had rejected all that way back and two hours ago. By this time Jacqui is cycling with chocolate legs and reminding me every 5 minutes that we last ate well over eight hours ago. No almonds and dried apricots are available and no sign of our Portugal Support Vehicle and Team. So we plod on for another hour or so and finally, finally, ride into Vilajoyosa – to find we cannot find the hostal we are booked into. This time, however Google Maps does us proud.
No pain, no gain as they say and there are no mistakes on the road, only learning opportunities. Yeah right! Tell that to my cycling companion: she needs a little convincing.
But a good meal tonight and a glass of Tinto and we are all set for new mistakes tomorrow.
We have yet to utter our cycling catchphrase this trip – This is why we come! But some stonking view or smooth flat section in top gear will bring it out of our mouths soon for sure. As we remind ourselves all the time, we are very lucky to be doing this.
Pedalling on Regardless 