Day 58: Sanatorio de Santa Eulalia de Merida (Cycling)

One of those days when you think to yourself, "wouldn't this be a great place to come cycling again next year"! I do believe I also said the very same thought to myself the previous two years I cycled here! And have already repeated on numerous occasions this year!

Great climb, followed by a great descent. When I looked at the Garmin (navigational aid) I was informed that the climbing started from the get-go, it was predicted to last for 18.3 kilometres over which the ascent would be 1,196 metres. Here's a snapshot taken with approximately 7 kilometres to go:

And here we are at the completion of the climb; to go further would put you in to the Military Zone and thereafter no doubt in to a prison cell!!

The descent to Alhama de Murcia put me in negative relative elevation: I was approximately 400 metres lower than the elevation of the Sanatorium (approximately 590 metres) - so my descent was approximately 1,350 metres of hurtling fun over a distance of approximately 26 kilometres. What's not to like?!

Obviously, as a consequence, I had a climb to overcome in order to return to the Sanatorium. Fortunately, there was a climbing interlude of approximately 13 kilometers, of virtually zero gradient, cycling adjacent to this water feature:

Followed by a final 5 kilometres of UP; the gradient of which was approximately 5%.

A most enjoyable outing on the bike.

• Distance driven: 0
• Distance cycled: 66 kilometres
• Weather: Sunshine (becoming hazy) and clouds. Start temperature about 10°C, descent was a wee bit chilly, mid afternoon temperatures about 17°C

Today's route: