Day 103: Cazorla (Cycle/Drive)

Today's ride was okay, but nothing special, probably a 4.5/10 and not likely to be a repeater. Maybe I've had enough of "wall-to-wall" olive trees!

I would say that the climbing is mostly easy, often on shallow gradients. Whereas, descending from the high point is on wide roads with steeper gradients. making for a good descent. Be warned, the final 1.8 kilometres is an 8% average gradient climb with some steep ramps. Not good for tired legs!

I took this photograph because I thought this "roundabout art" was hideous!

It's located at the opposite end of town from where this pueblo name resides:

By the time I reached here ...

... it had become considerably windier: to use Royal Navy vernacular, it was "blowing a bastard" and I was cycling into it. Many a mile later I was certainly not complaining about the strong tailwind assisting my return to base camp at a high rate of knots!

Here's where I stopped for lunch:

And here's a photo of the masts at the summit of La Pandera way off in the distance; the high point of my previous ride, which I very much enjoyed:

On return, I re-fueled, showered, coffeed, tidied up for driving and then drove to tonight's location. On arrival I was surprised to find the site rammed with campers! Why are all these people visiting Cazorla?

• Distance driven: 68 miles
• Distance cycled: 114 kilometres
• Weather: Cloudy start, giving way to sunshine, returning to cloudy with occasional sunshine. Set off with T = 18.5°C increasing to about 23°C
• Location: Google Maps

Today's route: