Day 94: Navaconcejo (Cyclo)

Last night I did think to myself that it may be wise to create a "backup" route, just in case yesterday's road closure is repeated today. Obviously, not actually being wise, I didn't create an alternative "just in case" route!

Guess what I discovered at kilometre 6.5? Yep, you no doubt guessed it: the road was closed!!

No matter, I took the detour and rejoined my route beyond the cortado. Although the detour was seventeen kilometres, the ride was only extended by about nine kilometres. Also, once I turned off of the main road and the climbing started, the riding was scenic and enjoyable.

On the way I passed through:

On joining the original route I had approximately 9 kilometres of cycle to get to the puerto:

Prior to reaching it I passed through the pueblo that gives its name to the puerto and, where they have little homes for little people!:

Unbeknownst to me, until today, there is a false peak on the climb, a few hundred metres from the puerto. When I arrived at the false peak, both I and the Garmin (navigational aid) falsely assumed that we'd arrived at the peak. Furthermore, I assumed the false peak's missing sign, was the puerto sign. So I framed my own sign:

The descent from the puerto was very enjoyable: I'd like to climb the descent some day!

I stopped here ...:

... for some sustenance and to sit in the shade for a while and get some respite from the sun. When I returned to the bike, and switched on the Garmin, the temperature reading was 34°C!

Shortly after resuming my ride, this caught my eye:

As did this "pueblo art":

After some more climbing I arrived at the second and final puerto of the day:

From there it was mostly downhill to the main road and a 6.5 kilometre cycle into a very strong headwind. Indeed, the most surprising thing about today's ride was, on arrival at the Puerto del Piornal, there was hardly any wind at all (it was forecast to be gusting to 70 kph!). Whilst in the valleys, the wind was "whistling" along: great as a tailwind, not so great when you experience a strong headwind for all but 200 metres of the final 6.5 kilometres of a 93 kilometre ride!

• Distance driven: 0 miles
• Distance cycled: 93 kilometres
• Weather:-
  • General conditions: Sunny
  • Temperature: Hot
  • Wind (Beaufort): Strong breeze in the valleys. Surprisingly, light airs at the main puerto!

Today's (detour) route: