Day 61: Baza (Drive/Cycle/Drive/Laundry/Drive)

Today's ride was a straight out and back again affair to the Puerto de Escúllar from Caniles.

The stats are:

• Difficulty points: 613.
• Length: 29.9 kilometres.
• Average gradient: 4%.
• Steepest 100 metres: 8.8%.
• Total ascent: 1197 metres.
• Climb time: Approx. two hours.
• Descent time: Approx. 50 minutes.

This isn't the actual pass:

First you need to descend on the firme en muy mal estado! And then climb approximately 1 kilometre, on that road in a very bad state, to arrive at the pass. Where you will discover that there is no puerto sign. Here's a photo of the view towards the south.

It should be noted that the Almeria Province side of the pass is effectively unpaved! However,the Granada Province side is mostly good, with some minor imperfections. So the descending was good fun.

On return to the van I fed myself, had a shower and then made coffee, all before spilling nearly the full mug of coffee over a cushion, seat, seat cover and seat back! Disaster! This is why I am now in a laundrette in Baza rather in Caniles. So it goes!

• Distance driven: 23 miles
• Distance cycled: 62 kilometres
• Weather: Mostly sunny to start, cloudier in the PM, 14°C during the descent with a chilly moderate breeze.
• Location: Google Maps

Today's route: