A year ago today I was into day 2 of my 84 day cycle north from Tarifa to Nordkapp. This particular day was “only” 74 km which as it would turn out was 25 km less than my average daily ride by the time I finished.
My route on this day was from a very empty Manilva Green Apartmentos complex to Fuengirola via Estepona and Marbella.
The memories of the day are surprisingly fresh. “Surprisingly” because at my age I often enter a room and stand there confused as to what the purpose of my being there is.
Happy memories of the day were the coffee at Funky Forest Cafe, the beachside lunch at a wind swept Las Chapas Beach , and the helpful souls at Marbella BIkes. Not so pleasant were the ripple strips on the N-340, the traffic on the N-340 , the minuscule hard shoulder on the N-340 and the cold wind which was making it most unlike Costa del Sol.
With hindsight I often wondered why I didn’t opt for a route through the hinterland along quieter country roads. Looking at map now I know why. There isn’t a direct route through the interior and there is a mountain of climbing to be done. I wouldn’t recommend this section from Gibraltar to Malaga to anyone contemplating a bike ride along the Spanish coastline .
Accommodation that night was in a cinematic themed hostel and dinner was in an Irish pub sitting next to a mature aged couple from Manchester with perma-tans and impossibly white teeth. He with heavy link gold bracelets and chains and she with perfectly coiffured hair. Up on the TV, Man City was playing Man Utd with the latter coming from 0-2 behind to win it 3-2.
The things you remember .