Day 2 - Climb every mountain...
You may not be surprised to hear that we chose Track 2 from Matt's log for Day 2 - and this time I even checked which way round it was actually ridden before we set off.
We did some nice sandy and later rocky stuff out of Chaves and then came to one of my favourite lanes of the week; a trail going on for miles and miles, sweeping through meadows and vernal woods, framed by ancient stone walls and dense gorse bushes; it had some ruts, puddles, mud, sharp bends - and all set in beautiful scenery and rolling hills.
Everyone seemed to feel at home
(Photo courtesy of Patrick)
Then we started to climb into the hills...
The views were amazing - when we had time to lift our eyes off the trail, that is
Mmm, that looks a bit gnarly - who goes first?
Steve and Patrick were off in an instant while Ade took his time...
Tranquilo - I am on holiday!
Dr JM and Bill Mc
(Photo courtesy of Berin)
On the plateau
I think Possu is at his happiest when he can fiddle with bikes...
(Photo courtesy of Prelive)
... whereas I am most content when I can take embarrassing photos of my mates
(Photo courtesy of Berin)
... and capture the world around us - anyone got an idea what kind of insect this is?
Coming off the mountains, Possu allowed us a quick fuel & coffee break in Barracão
(Photo courtesy of Prelive)
Sir Falloffalot sampled an assortment of local delicacies
Then we rode some more
Terrain and riding style took their toll on the bikes...
Some trails just followed the contour of the hill sides for miles on end
As usual, Possu was flying along...
After lunch in Ribeira de Pena, we came to a very special landmark - and here I have to give you a bit of a background story. When we did the North Portugal loop over to the Atlantic coast last year, Timpo kept raving about that enormous hill that had been the nemesis of many a trail rider (especially mild-mannered archaeologists...), and that we would have to get up it as part of the route. Timpo described that particular slope so often and in such scary detail, that I was beginning to have nightmares about the climb.
Imagine my relief when, after a day spent retrieving Possu's lost possessions from the Portuguese Guarda Nacional in Viana do Castelo and just making it before dark to our agreed overnight stop in Venda Nova (a different story altogether), Timpo announced that the hill lay already behind us and Steve and I had, unfortunately, missed it. What a shame. I probably overdid my lamentation act a tad, because the following day Timpo led us all the way back just to ride THAT hill!
I did it after long hesitation but it was absolutely terrifying. Fast forward to Spring 2015 and I have to admit that my overall orientation wasn't great; I didn't exactly know where we were in relation to last year's routes. At one point we were riding through Venda Nova - now that rang a bell, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
We turned off from the road onto a forest track that vaguely resembled the one where Timpolino had helpfully recommended that I should nip into the bushes, otherwise I would wet myself when I saw that hill...
Then we came around a corner and stopped
You may spot the similarities - I still didn't! Surely the track carried on to the left on level ground and that hill was just a challenge for the play children among us?
(Photo courtesy of Berin)
Possu, Patrick and Rob were immediately willing to give it a go, Duncan followed and Ade went next
We others were left to decide: maybe or no way! Alas, on closer inspection of my SatNav there couldn't be a doubt about it, the purple line continued up the mountain, crossing contour lines in a right angle and very short succession - this was our route!
Possu came back down again and reported that downhill was a lot harder than uphill but that the ascent was perfectly do-able - I should take a good run-up and try to get up into fourth gear.
Jane-marie mustered her courage first
There were one or two good saves...
Then it was my turn; I made it up into third before hitting the slope and was down to first gear when I reached the crest - trembling but relieved and happy.
VTwins4me and Dr JM were already awaiting the next candidate
Charles
Duncan and Ade were still debating the best line
While Possu was already on his second run
The hills are alive...
After calming down a bit, we carried on to the - hopefully flattening out, we thought - hill top
(Photo courtesy of VTwins4me)
But no, there were two more steep sections to come - and only when we reached the start of the second climb, did the penny finally drop: I had been here before! We were riding THAT HILL!
Stage 2 consisted of loose soil, two hairpin bends, a sharp rocky increase and no opportunities for a photo stop - you just have to take my word for it. And then came the last ascent which, again, looked very different from the previous year -
2014
https://www.facebook.com/neil.t.thompson.7/videos/756825044351704/?pnref=story
(Video courtesy of Timpo)
2015
Janey to the fore again!
Charles crossing the finish line
We all made it in one piece - without major drama (well, with my heart filling my mouth, I could hardly scream...)
The glorious sunshine (against all forecasts free and paid for) turned into heavy showers at some point (matching all forecasts free and paid for)
(Photo courtesy of Patrick)
But fortunately not for long, giving Steve the chance to make contact with the locals
... and me to change my blown fuse again a bit later (you see, as soon as I start fiddling with my, Possu quickly jumps at the opportunity...)
The trails were just lovely
... and we kept riding 'just one more lane' until Chaves came into view again
Tired but happy in our secure courtyard at the end of the day
All that was left to do was lubing the chain, taking a shower, devouring an appropriately sized dinner...
... and retiring to bed to be ready for another exciting day.
The track log for Day 3 showed landmarks like 'Tricky vegetated trail', 'Great Summit' and the 'Descent of Death - Avoid!' - which promised a fairly entertaining route.
To be continued...
