Into Benidorm

Day 45
I’m sorry I think I am getting my days mixed up…this seems right, about 45.
Distance travelled: 97 miles
Time in saddle: 8hrs 53 mins
Overall distance: 3855.9 miles


After putting my blogs on the Internet last night I went for a stroll around the town. What a fantastic atmosphere. The place was buzzing. The families were all out with their children. Musical quartets were playing in the street and the street café’s were full. Lovers, young and old strolling hand in hand, it was great to see …a great night. It’s a shame I was on my own…it’s a night you should share with someone….gusher wasn’t there, locked away as usual…..weird I know but I know but it has significance…trust me.
I had a nice cold drink and chilled, the first time for a while. I have taken on board the advice about not doing too much during the ‘hot’ hours. I understand what you are saying but it is difficult. It’s a catch 22 situation. I need to get the hours in to do the mileage…..but it’s hot during some of those hours. I am averaging 11 miles an hour, which doesn’t sound much but the hills are a killer. I did a lot of walking yesterday. Not that the hills are very steep, some are but not many, it’s just that it is incredibly draining. Sometimes I prefer to walk….I just need to keep going forward. I’m not saying I am right but I am dealing with it the best I can. I am like a homing pigeon…I’m constantly driven towards home…. nothing else seems to matter at the moment…I can’t explain how I feel. Even when I stop for dinner I am conscious of the time. Perhaps when I am closer to home I will relax more but I do need to stay focussed. I could imagine that it would be very easy not to get out of bed one morning and that would be it…….that is not going to happen. I probably sound like a drama queen but I can only tell you how I feel. Being on the road day after day is different to anything I have ever done before. Physically it’s hard but that’s not a problem. In fact it’s quite nice in a challenging sort of way…. It’s what happens in your head that matters and you have to experience something similar to understand what I mean. Enough complaining. I’m fitter than I have been for quite a while, I’ve met some fantastic people, seen some beautiful places (Shit ones too) and I’m coming home, what is there to complain about?
I set my alarm for 6.30am but had an extra ten minutes…. until eight o’clock. I know but I had a really restless night…any tips out there would be appreciated…If you mention sex before bed you have to supply it…. by post. I cycled off in what I thought was the right direction, but it was only the beginning. As with all major cities the roads go round and around. I eventually got sorted with my detailed knowledge of the Spanish language and the international language of ‘pointy finger’. I was on my way. For once I knew where I was going and the road went where it was supposed to, thank God for the 332. It was relatively flat for a change and I was doing well. My gears need sorting. I intend to do it in the next big town, if I can find a cycle shop, or a garage. Brian said that some garages do cycles too….a good bit of info, cheers Brian.
I stopped about two o’clock to get something to eat. I think I was ripped off . They “seen me coming-io” It was Paella and two glasses of beer for 20 Euros and the Paella was overcooked….in fact it was burnt but I was so hungry I could have eaten a scabby horse. I gave them a tip. “Don’t over cook the Paella”
I called in at a garage for some fresh water and a piece of chocolate. I got chatting to a guy named Sinario…at least that’s what it sounded like …..or maybe that was the situation I was in? He was really nice and his English was very good. We talked about Renaldo, Wayne Rooney and Manchester United, and then he asked me what I was doing. He said something really nice…..’I was his idol’. I know its probably bollacks but perhaps it was his way of saying that he thought I was doing OK and it was appreciated. You will hang onto anything when you are lonely.
I cycled past two young ladies sat at the side of the road. Kevin, my brother had warned me against prostitutes who sit beside the road and take you to the olive groves for ‘how’s your father’….how does he know? Where did that saying come from? Anyway I was going to ask them for directions but from what they were showing I was probably going to go through a tunnel and over two mountains so I cycled on. Ironically I did come across a tunnel but four mountains later on in the ride….perhaps the other girl should have got hers out too.
I saw at least fifty cyclist today. It seems a very popular past-time in Spain. The roads are really good and the drivers are generally very curtious. I have not felt in danger as I was in parts of America.
The last hour and a half was hard, the hills were difficult. I walked up a couple and rode up two more…I don’t know which is the worse? In the end I got to Benidorm. I am so pleased with myself for reaching today’s goal. I now it’s only another twenty miles but it’s hard after you have done cycling all day and the hills make you want to stop. I had difficulty getting a hotel in Benidorm, which seems ridiculous, but I eventually got one. It’s nice, but quite expensive…. I deserve it. I am going to give gusher some TLC and get sorted for tomorrow. I want to be in France by Saturday, lets see if that happens.