Day 62: Torremolinos (Drive/Cycle)

A fifteen minute drive to a large three terraced gravel car park: it will do for one night and is a good start location for today's ride.

The highlight of the day was the climb up to Cerro del Moro from Benalmádena. The climb is about 14 kilometers in length and the final 5 kilometres' average gradient is greater than 10%. Indeed, the first 2.5 kilometres is also pretty steep. However, shortly thereafter, there are a couple of kilometres of descent to rest your legs before the climbing recomences. Here are some photos taken at the summit (altitude 952 metres).

Africa could be seen on the horizon:

And here, looking towards Malaga and the Sierra Nevada in the distance:

Finally, looking down on Benalmádena and Torremolinos further up the coast (no doubt not being done for the first time!):

Following some descending there was a cycle through a pueblo called Mijas, which turned out to be a wee bit of a tourist honey pot! Then the route took me to the coast for a trawl through a fair few seaside resorts, including: Fuengirola and Torremolinos, both of which I'd heard much about but, never before visited. Torremolinos was where I had my ice cream!

Finally, my after cycle plan to make a quick visit to a supermarket was scuppered when annoyingly I discovered, for the second year running, that I'd been caught out by Andalucia Day, which being a holiday meant the supermarkets were closed! Perhaps that is why the beach promenades were so busy with folk! This may effect my plans for tomorrow - I'll sleep on it!

• Distance driven: 6 miles
• Distance cycled: 78 kilometres
• Weather: Mainly clear skies; the strong northerly wind continues, which meant chilly northerly descents and fast tailwind cycling.
• Location: Google Maps

Today's route: