Greetings from Valancia

Early departure from Alarcon as we had a long way to go today. For reasons better known to Chris who had planned this fantastic route for us, we had kept the longest day 140 miles / 225km until last.

Early Start

We headed out along the N-111 the old main road East which runs parallel with the motorway. this took us some distance before we headed south on smaller country roads. After a brief lunch we got to Casas Del Rio by about 14:30. wonderful cascades and waterfalls -good place for a brief break.

Photo opportunity at Casas Del Rio

The afternoon was wet again as we started the long slow down hill towards the coast. country and mountains were beautiful all be it under increasingly threatening skies.

Down through the mountains, rain on the way

Valencia is a beautiful city that unique blend of ancient and modern that you only seem to find in older European cities and by the time we got towards the city centre, it had turned into a lovely evening. In the 1960s the Turia River which used to run through the centre of the city was diverted after severe flooding. The old riverbed was converted into the Turia gardens, an amazing collection of gardens, playgrounds, fountains and sports fields. Its incredible to cycle through the city along this riverbed, through gardens and under bridges, with architecture both ancient and modern looming over you on either side.

Turia Gardens

Needless to say as the afternoon wore on into evening we were still several miles from our destination, the trip computers had more or less given up and we had to rely on Graham's innate sense of direction. Eventually, after picking our way through the cobbled streets of Valencia old town, packed with revellers coming out for the evening we found our hotel. And guess what! Mrs Bell and family were there to meet us! Next time, more wives! After what turned out to be nearly 150 miles, there was not much to be done but eat and sleep.

Another great adventure comes to a close. all that remains is to pack up the bikes and return to our various lives  - until the next time. I wonder where next...

Bikes all packed, ready to go. Where next I wonder?

So that we 145 miles - the longest day!

GPX file of today's route
Alarcon to Valancia