Altura
112 Kms
580 vertical metres
Mechanicals:  Geoff - stone in rear cog
Medicals:        Simon - wasp sting
Misadventures: Simon minor exchange with tunnel wall
Cup for day 24 to Tony for finally finding a bar that would sell us some Fino
Cup for day 25 to Lawrie for his Generalissimo moment ( straightening the team out)
Wine 6

Today was our Spanish rail trail day. Leaving Teruel, after probably the best hotel breakfast to date, we headed out confident of the directions to the route but no....the tourist office info was lacking . Once found, we climbed over 300m but at an easy 1.5 - 2% grade. Long downhill for about 40 kms which made doing the distance easier but the wind took it out of you.The trail was punctuated with cuttings and viaducts and the surface had been sealed, but was certainly degrading with a lot of loose fine chip - not quite the smooth French asphalt. However no traffic and generally broad views. Hard country with sandstone outcrops and often red soils. Spectacular viaducts, tunnels (with variable lighting) and you couldn't help but wonder at the logic of two railways side by side.
Got up to 1223 m and it was cold.
BIG MILESTONE passed the 2000kms.
Large tracts of uncultivated land, some peasant farming ...also came across a farmer herding his goats...wild lavender ,rosemary and thyme growing on the edge of the track. And a gigantic wind farm where one of the 2mw turbines had been struck by lightening.
Arrived in Altura as they were setting up for the running of the bulls next week. We had seen on the tv at our truck stop lunch spot (Barracas) that the fiesta was on at the moment at Segorbe where we had planned to stay  ...they were actually showing the bulls running and the streets were packed so decided to stay here . Still getting used to how noisy the Spanish are...lots of loud animated chat and laughter. They are very generous to cycling tourists....one lovely couple opened their hotel especially for us for morning coffee and as we write this the bar owner is delivering complimentary tapas to our table.

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Posted by greatgraperide at 9:18 AM BST

Updated: Thursday, 12 September 2013 9:19 AM BST

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