The Road to Antequeras

Yesterday had been real tough. We sort of realised that as we staggered through Ronda and into the first Pizzaria that we came across. Sod any notion of quality, we needed bulk carbs! Patatas Fritas and Salad, beer, chips, salt, beer, pizza, beer, salt, chips....... It did the job mind, we were all walking much more smoothly after we'd finished. A brief walk round the town with an ice cream, then bed.

Ronda's nice....no bull.

Built on a precipice.

Ronda's impressive bridge.

The Hotel Polo did us proud. Good rooms and a decent breakfast. A quick walk round the town again to take in some of the splendour of the place:

We set of at around 10 am, straight into an 8 mile climb on our way to Antequera in the northeast. Cloudless skies again, a steady breeze, but the day was warming up quickly. We all got to the top of the climb within a minute of two of each other. Steve had picked up the days supplies and was waiting for us there.

Heads down and on it as usual

The top of the climb out of Ronda.

After a brief stop, it was on towards Ardales. Straight into a really technical descent, made more difficult because of the broken road surface. Now I can descend a bit and had been following Mel & Alex, but elected not to go past because of the aforementioned surface and limited views, so imagine my surprise (not) when Dave passed us all, head down, chewing the bars, bugger the view! Next thing I see as he disappears into a blind left-hander, is his back wheel bouncing from side to side, fully locked up, as he desperately avoid slamming into the rear of a reversing truck! Hadn't a clue how Mel & Alex fared, because I just concentrated on picking a line and braking hard. Thankfully we all came out of it unscathed, well apart from Steve, who came across the same truck a few seconds later, reversed and hit a wall.

Lunch in Ardales was fantastic and much needed. Steve did us proud with a great picnic. Baguettes, bananas & peanuts!

Picnic lunch in Ardales

The next section saw us passing close to the famous El Chorro gorge & climbing area. Famous for being dangerous! Check it out on line...........frightening.

El Chorro's access path in the background.....gulp!

The route wasn't getting any easier. Some tough climbing on indifferent road surfaces and it was getting a lot warmer. We stopped for a break in Valle de Abdalajis, which proved to be disappointing due to the lack of a suitable cafe, but we needed to stop and the petrol station forecourt had the required shade.

Antequeras.

The last 15 miles to Antequera were tough and hot. We all arrived at the Hotel Colon pretty knackered and my muscles were dancing nicely:

Thankfully the welcome at the hotel was good and after a wash & brush up, it was into town for a few beers & tapas. Nice.

 

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