Lake Guadalest and our final ride of Costa Blanca area

We have been blessed with glorious warm weather, albeit a little windy, (on the coast so of course) and experienced two wonderful rides before our stay here is up.

The first, was a loop of 78km, up to Guadalest catchment accessed from Altea, a town 7km down the coast before we head into the hills, through lovely hinterland surrounded by high craggy limestone walls, on dead quiet roads.  The historic town of Guadalest itself and the ruins of its 11th century castle, is perched high on a limestone crag above the Costa Blanca and dominates the river valley. 

The turquoise waters of the Guadalest catchment come into view as we turn off the main road onto a single vehicle narrow and very steep road, that drops down to circumnavigates the waters edge. The ride is on rolling terrain, 'I'd hate to meet a car, let alone one in each direction' as the road is very narrow, no possibility of vehicles passing each other without some serious damage.  We do meet lots of walkers and cyclists, all out enjoying the Sunday sunshine.

As our narrow road wounds its way closer to the waters edge, through dense pine forests, the depth of colour intensifies, as pockets of views suddenly open up. Its breathtaking. I read the turquoise blue 'is primary caused by the presence of tiny particles of silt suspended in the water, reflecting certain wave lengths of light'. 

We head back, the return ride is all downhill, flowing easy riding before we hit the coastal traffic and decide for a quick stop, in the hot Mediterrean sun.  

The sea is calm, but no one is swimming, few people are on the pebbled beach.

We decided to do a longer rider for our final ride in this area.  114km with almost 2,000 metres of climbing.  A good test for the Pyrenees mountains we will visit in a few weeks, where the real climbing begins.  The climbs in this area, are not long and not too hard.  There are steep pitches for sure, but generally after a pitch the road flattens out again.

As I don't wish to bore you, the 45km climb out of Calpe was steady, in good temperatures and not too taxing, I felt good.  We had a great coffee with pastry stop two hours in and using google translate, told the lovely lady in Guadalest, 'she lived in heaven'. Such a beautiful place, absolutely stunning, surrounded by high limestone mountains and fertile valleys full of orchards.  

Once we were over half way, majority of our food eaten, it was hot.  Water was getting low and despite being on the return half of the loop, the narrow single vehicle road was still spicy.  By that I mean, down steep single vehicle roads, across bridges over dry river beds, then straight up the other side, high, short and steep.  (Photo on the right is from the day before)

And I was caught in the wrong gear, by the third crossing, so had to push with all my might, standing out of the saddle, bent over ass in the air, pulling on the handle bars, just to crank the wheels over, while a combi van comes down in front of us, oblivious to my very anxious state.  But I made it, phew, changed gear down to easiest, now breathing heavy like a steam train, (must have been holding my breath) such a huge relief.  Oh gosh, could have come a gutser there on the concrete. 

At the next and final uphill of about 1km, its tough, 9%, I feel I cannot go on, don't have the oomph and tell myself, I'm done.  I can't do this. I walk.

I tell Dave I'm done, I'm tired.  The next town is a few km's away, so we stop at the first restaurant (probably only) and he orders Pasta, orange Fanta and coffee.  

Wow amazing, refuelled we head off to complete the final 30km home, like little ever ready batteries.  Helped that it was almost all downhill.  We did it.  Us too oldies...  I feel very proud of us, that was no piece of cake.