Trainingslager Alcañices - day 8

The best view is mostly from the top of a mountain, and riding down the hill is anytime funny. But the the bad thing is, that after an awesome downhill it leads at the end to a torture called uphill.

But from the beginning... Today I decided to do a longer ride over flowing trails, scenic views and some climbs. I left home in direction Rabanales, but instead of going the the direct way over the road, I took the pilgrims trail to Santiago de Compostella. It is part of the Ruta de la Plata, coming from the very south of Spain along the Portuguese boarder. Riding it was very funny, because it has some steps and jumps and a few technical parts. 

After passing Rabanales I went north to a, for me completely unknown area. I've had some nice views up to Sierra de la Culebra. 

Love this region, because you have really the imagination that time stands still. After about 30 km, enjoying this awesome area I crossed the road at San Vitero heading up to a little village, called El Poyo. It is located at an altitude of about 900 m. After it, the road leads directly down to 650 m. 

Flying downhill is funny, but it converts immediately to a giant climb of 300m uphill. And that wasn't really funny. After crossing another village, didn't remember the name, I sat down for a short pick nick. 

Means, eating the second of my two snickers and terminating my water bottle. After this, I turned back home, crossing Tola. 

Trainingslager Alcañices day 5-6

Today I decided to drive to beach by bike instead by car. Weather conditions were pretty good of about 37 degrees and clear sky. So I left home about 4 pm on my "Bigfoot" after I've converted it into a 20 pounds "road bike". Not really;) The only thing I did, was to put on my old tires ( somebody may call them slicks) and pumped them up, up to about 3 bars.

Prepared like this I left home towards Cional. For nutrition I only took my old recipe: Two Snickers.

After 25 km and a climb of about 300 m I reached San Pedro de las herrerias.

 It is a campground for youth groups in the middle of Sierra de la Culebra, close to a same called railway station. But the best thing is, that there is a good tasting and fresh spring. So I made a short break, "drank" my Snickers and a big amount of fresh water. After that I took the last twelve kilometers to Cional through an impressive landscape that has fallen out of time. 

When I reached Cional I went swimming and afterwards it was time for a good beer and "Pinchos Morunos". 

At 8:20pm I turned back home the same way. The only thing was, that I haven't brought any light on my bike. So I was a little bit in a hurry to reach home before darkness. Sunset was at 9:40 pm so that the 35 km has to be taken under real competition conditions. But I made it and everything was fine at the end with some new PR's on Strava. Let's say it in German: "ein runder Tag" :)

Today it is recreation day. So we decided to a little bit of hiking around the beautyfull Peña Mira, the highest peak in Aliste of about 1200m. We left home by car at 9am and went to Flechas, a little urbanization at the foot of Peña Mira. All in all we did 10km and about 300m. It was really nice with lots of scenic views.

Trainingslager Alcañices - day 3 to 4

Yesterday was the day of my first "climb criterium", up to El Pendón. This hill is not that high (app. about 1000m) but as I remember it was always a boring climb, garnished with some parts of 20% rise. If haven't been up for about 5 yrs, so I was wonding how it feels (5 yrs older) ;)

And I must say, it feels exactly the same... 3 km climb, and at the end you know every part of your lung and legs. But on the top the effort was worth it. You have an incredible scenic view over the  Portuguese border. I remember, about 6 or seven yrs ago, when I was also up there, I've had very bad weather conditions. It was raining all day long and pretty cold. When I reached the top, I heard the voice of a girl from the platform of the fire observing tower, if I wanted a cup of coffee. I climbed upside and two girls of the University of Salamanca invited me to a cup of coffee and Madalenas. They were investigating some weather phenomena's who occurred this summer.

Today is recovery day. We've made a short trip by car to Peña Mira. It is the highest Peak of Aliste and a pretty good biking area. I've been here several times an may be that I will do it this Year again. But riding, it will be a day trip, because it's about 40 km away from our village. But the scenic view is incredible and nature too. You find lots of game up here and they say these area has the strongest population of wolfs in Western Europe. Love it ...

Traingslager Alcañices (second day)

Awesome weather conditions: after a cloudy first day, we've started with a clear blue sky. Night temperature was about 10 deg C (good for sleeping) and day temperature will rise above 30. This is one of the big advantages if you are located in the Spanish highlands at about 900 meters.

Under this parameters it will be a perfect day for biking. But: ... There is no water in the tubes. But fortunately we've had some bottles filled yesterday, so that it was enough for a good cup of coffee and to fill the bike bottles. So I decided do start a short ride after breakfast, just to see if everything in the forest is on its place;)

I left home in direction Portugal, over "el Monte Sahou". From the top there is a "forest highway" towards Portugal where you can fly downhill without the need to brake. Sometimes speed reaches up to 40-50 km/h.

In the valley you will find a former water mill, and then a short but strength climb of about 100 meters uphill. On the the top there is a nice "camino" along the Portugal border. Completely covered by trees, it's funny to ride along in the shadow. After about 5km the former frontier point "tres Marras" will be reached.

What a invaluable advantage of Europe without borders, to pass frontiers almost not recognizing it. I never want to see a soldier or policeman in this ruin for the rest of my life. And incredible: nature looks the same, on both sides of the border... ;)

Then I turned back home, crossing "el valle de los lobos", where I met my first wolf many years ago. At the end I had about 30 km on my Garmin, but for the first day it was enough. Almost forgotten the water problem from the morning. But, thanks god, the neighbors have a waterpump with refreshing water (valid for some kind of ice bucket challenge), but it was really refreshing. Now repairing bike tubes (or sleeping ;)

Trainingslager Alcañices (erster Tag)

Kaum zu glauben, wie hart Dreck auf einer Kette werden kann. Nachdem ich gestern feststellen musste, dass ich zwar eine Menge Schläuche hier in Spanien gebunkert habe, aber nach 3 Versuchen entnervt aufgeben musste, hab ich mir dann kurzerhand das Vorderrad von Luis "geborgt". Der ist eh 6000 Kilometer weg und braucht es nicht. 

Aber zurück zum Dreck... Mein braves Ross strahlte noch in vollem Glanz vom letztjährigen Großputz, was ich aber wohl vergessen hatte war die Kette. An der klebten noch die Lehmklumpen, vermengt mit einer ordentlichen Portion Kettenwachs. Kurzum: ich würde aus dieser Mischung Häuser bauen. Das ist definitiv härter als Beton, wenn es ein Jahr "luftgetrocknet" wird.

Lange Rede kurzer Sinn, die ersten Stunden vergingen durch "pulen" einzelner Kettenglieder mit Schraubenzieher und WD40. Jetzt ist alles blitzeblank, Edge und Virb sind montiert, und gleich geht's los :)