EUROPE 50 02/08/2011 FINISHED With only 25 miles to do today, we had a bit of a lie-in, abandoning our 5.30 start, instead waking at 8.00 and getting on the road for 9.00. We were straight back into the mountains as we made our way towards Algeciras, but the knowledge that today was the las…

EUROPE 49 01/08/2011 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Having had a look at the map last night, we knew that the only way past Cadiz from our campsite was on a motorway, so were doubly eager to get an daly start – to beat the traffic as well as the heat. Although we managed to get on the…

EUROPE 48 31/07/2011 A DAY ON THE BEACH It was another early start for us this morning, up at half five, and out of the campsite for six thirty. It was cooler than it has been, with a heavy fog obscuring any pre-dawn light. We hadn’t been going for lon when the inevitable happened: Lewy…

EUROPE 47 30/07/2011 SEVILLE We had a much needed lie-in this morning, and checked out of the hostel at 12.00, maximising our time in the cool. We managed to persuade the receptionist to keep our bikes safe for the day, leaving us unencumbered. Having done a bit of a walking tour of the city last…

EUROPE 46 29/06/2011 REUNITED Sam and I were up at 5.30, after a night’s wild camping that featured clouds of mosquitos and noisy dogs. I think it was almost definitely Sam’s earliest start on his Birthday – cycling off before dark certainly a change from the normal birthday routine. It was a nice, cool twmperature…

EUROPE 45 28/07/2011 FALLEN SOLDIER We were up at our earliest yet, and were out of the campsite for 6.30 peddling off into the pre-dawn gloom. Despite the early hour it was a good ride, the air cool in the absence of the sun and the roads all bu empty. The sun rise was awesome,…

EUROPE 44 27/07/2011 INTO THE FURNACE We were up before dawn today and on the road for sunrise. A quick getaway was aided by our own personal toilet block – a great bonus feature of our favourite camp site so far. Todays ride was a mad dash to Merida before midday, when the temperature gets…

EUROPE 43 26/07/2011 BIKE REPAIRS We were up at six this morning, and managed to get on the road for half seven despite my having to make another puncture repair. After about 5 minutes however we ground to a halt again – Sam had ridden right over a sizable bit of glass. Another repair and…

EUROPE 42 25/07/2011 SWITCHBACKS Despite the noise from the bar last night, we managed to get a good nights sleep, and an early start this morning: up at six, we were on the road for just past eight. We climbed gradually from the start, slowly gaining altitude until we reached Piedrahita, where we bought some…

EUROPE 41 24/07/2011 SALAMANCA We got of to an early start this morning, despite an late night last night, and were out of the campsite well before 9. We made great time this morning, despite gaining altitude, helped along by a healthy tail wind and extra rations of ‘Crusli’ for breakfast. The only set back…