Day 41: Lorca (Drive/Cycle)

Tonight's park up location:

I would liked to have visited Sanatorio de Santa Eulalia de Merida. Where I have stayed previously. It is located at the Parque Regional de Sierra Espuna. Where very good cycling can be had. Unfortunately, the forecast wind speeds in that area were predicted to be very high today and beyond.

So I thought I'd visit Lorca, which is at a lower elevation and where wind speeds were forecast to be lower. Also, it would provide me with the opportunity to bike explore somewhere new.

The cycle exploring had me climbing and descending in the Sierra de Almenara with a fairly flat run in to and out of the hills. The first climb was very enjoyable, but without a col/port/puerto sign. And, as a bonus, I'd get to descend it during my return to Lorca. It was something to look forward to.

The second climb was approximately 16 kilometres in length (about 10 miles). However, the first part had many ups followed by a wee bit of down, and I was cycling with a headwind coming down the valley. The climbing improved once I turned off of RM-322 on to RM-D9. High point of the day approximately 770 metres. Again no col/port/puerto sign.

I did notice the blossom has started blossoming:

And here is a photo taken on the descent, looking towards Lorca:

Now, you may recall that I was looking forward to descending much of the first climb back down to the flatlands. Well, it turned out to not to be as much fun as I hoped. Just as I turned left to begin the descent I struck by a wall of wind that almost had me at a stand-still. Indeed, the final 16 kilometres had me battling the wind! So it goes. Having said that, I did dodge the rain that fell on the D9. All that I encountered was some spits and spots of rain and then some damp roads! So it goes!

• Distance driven: 57 miles
• Distance cycled: 83 kilometres
• Weather: Sunny to start, clouding over, dodged some rain, it brightened up and very wind for the return to Lorca. T's 13°C - 19°C
• Location: Google Maps

Today's route: