I got about 6 hours sleep as the party went on until about midnight. NOTE to self... always pack earplugs. Breakfast was water and biscuits and I was really looking forward to a McDonalds coffee and a stop early on to fill the stomach with something a bit more substantial. I left early at around 6:30 am just as the early morning twilight was peeping over the horizon. Just enough light to see where I was going with the aid of the streetlighting.
First of all I had to leave the rucksack filled with my travel clothes and trainers. I remembered now that the trainers were about 10 euros that I bought in Girona 3 years ago. I hated them anyway as they rubbed the ankles and I think I already had the start of a blister on my right ankle starting. I also left a big bottle of Vodka for Adolfo and his wife as a thank you. I might have had the Radio on a bit loud whilst I was getting ready. Hope the neighbors didn't mind too much haha
I actually hate McDonalds. It is a real shame I didn't choose to collapse in another place in 2019 as this was my focus since then to get back here and get a coffee and start from the same seat I sat in back then. I know I am strange but that's the way it is...
Anyway, it was closed at 7:00 am.....
NOTE to self, straighten helmet before taking any more iconic selfies you idiot...
OK, no excuses anymore... 1 mile done, about 599 to go. Today was going to be around 83 miles.
Guess what.... it wasn't raining !!!!!!!! yet
You know when you go to Spain and you see those dried up river beds.... well here's one after the biblical rainfall of March 2022.....
Good for the crops of oranges though. I went past miles and miles of these all day
First stop... it was a 2 coffee kind of morning. Very famous chain of cafes called cepsa... they also sell petrol haha
Yes you will notice rain on the helmet. It started after about 10 miles.
this image is off the web, obviously it has a blue sky.....
This first stop was in Sagunto which I was looking forward to. It is one of those beautiful hill top ancient towns....
The bike was going really well. The weight changed the handling quite alot but it was like a train when you got it up to speed and got down in the aero position. I love it.
I knew that I was about a quarter into the day and I was happy that I was making good progress given that it was only 9:30 am when I left Sagunto. This is where I always make mistakes, I relax and don't concentrate on the route. I got a bit lost and ended up on the motorway !!
The strava data... https://www.strava.com/activities/6864668399
If you can pick this up you will see I followed a big road from Sagunto past Pucol to Rafalbunyol. Phew no arrests, no issues, no worries.
Next stop was going to be the beautiful great city where I landed the night before. Valencia. Third largest city in Spain and last week they held their famous Falles festival. If you google it you will find out that the average rainfall for this area is 1.3 inches of rain for the month of March, they had that yesterday and it is forecast to carry on for days....
It is famous for it's sweet Valencian oranges and I counted about 687 million as I rode past them....
Just on the outskirts I spotted loads of people taking photos and stopping their cars to rubberneck this flood drainage. The locals I spoke to said it had never been full like this and they were all taking pics and videos. So I did too...
Valencia is stunning....
....even in the rain.
Just over half way for today... Got to get a wiggle on.
More floods in Massanassa...
The rain had stopped so time to take one of my 4 layers off...
I think I counted about 478,000,000 oranges by about 3 o clock...
Alzira... nice little town.....
I reckon about 10 more miles to go...
9 miles later.....
WOOHOOO Day 1 done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Xativa is really nice. Another hill top very old town. I wish I could see the top though :(
Wet room made for 2 ;) What happens in Xativa stays in Xativa Henry ;) haha
The bike (did I mention I call him Henry) needed a proper good spray down as the rain was not just rain. The reason why the floods were that dirty reddish brown colour was due to the African sand that was carried in the clouds and rained down for the week. All the floors everywhere had streaky lines of this sand left behind.
The only downside of taking so few clothes with me was that I really relied on a wash and dry each night. The wash was easy, you will notice the clothes on the floor. I rubbed some soap in and cleaned them in the shower but the tough bit was to get them dry for the next day. I know what your thinking. Why bother.... have you seen the forecast for tomorrow you nutter.
Thankfully, this hostel had put a radiator on full blast like I asked them and it was fantastic. She also got me the breakfast and brought it in on a tray before she clocked off for the day as I said I would be leaving very early. Great hosts. Thank you so much La Maga Rooms.
Xero Shoes... Zero common sense more like.... notice the dirty legs and this was after my shower.
Problem was after solving the first of my worries... the wash and dry I had my only other major concern to deal with... FOOD. I really needed to eat and prep for the next day. First thing and the most important thing to do at the end of each day though was....... ring home....
I headed out to find food, unfortunately I had rode past a few really decent places and the usual fast food places but they were at the bottom of town and I had stupidly chosen the one hostel that was at the very top of the town nearest the road up to the castle. I must have thought back in December when I planned and booked everything and had this romantic notion that I would hike or ride up to see the view and take a glorious sunset picture eating a KFC bucket all to myself. Dream on... No KFC or sun in sight.
Instead it was a nice cafe where I ate local food with local people and sat there in my rain cape and xero flip flops shovelling food in my mouth and watching the rain through the window get heavier and heavier.
My bestie rang me which completely changed my mood from a big black cloud to a big bright sun. He became my motivator from that moment onwards. Thanks Marc you are the best friend anyone could wish for.
I headed back to the La Maga hostel and settled in for an early night. Alarm set for 6 am. One down 6 to go. Surely there is no more water left up in the sky and if it rains all night maybe it will be OK tomorrow just like it did in Castellon the day before. Positive mental attitude. Debby would be proud of me. What's that saying.....
" Every time it rains, the soil counts every drop to know exactly how many times to thank to God! "
Whoever wrote that needs shooting.
My favourite is "I always like walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying."
- Charlie Chaplin. Genius
I had cycled nearly 88 miles, climbed a measly 1175 feet, average temperature was 13 degrees C, burned 2500 calories and it had rained on and off.
I am raising funds for Cancer Research UK in memory of so many people it has affected but mainly for my mum who died 30 years ago. Love you mum XXXXXXXX
This link takes you straight to the cancer research page to donate, it is safe and every penny goes straight into their bank account.
Thank you so much, stay tuned for Day 2
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