As always leaving cities is busy and seems to take ages. Very hot and busy. We followed the river past La Cruz and to Amorebieta, then turned north to Gernika. That part of the route started with a long hard climb, totally exhausted us but we rode the whole way up. Then we had a glorious descent to Gernika. Much bigger than expected and Market day. Met an English bloke, who has an IT shop there, he suggested a different route to Lekeito to our planned route. We took his advice and found his route was used by many cyclists and is signed as a cycle route. It went over a pass as high as the first one, but with a much better gradient. We passed through beautiful countryside, with houses and farms looking very alpine. After the pass most of the rest of the route was downhill. The road surface was great, putting English roads to shame. Lots of very fast sweeping bends, a great ride. Arrived in Lekeito to find the Tourist Office is still on Winter season. Booked into an old, but very pleasant hotel, right on the front. A very nice seaside resort and port. Had a meal round the corner almost on the harbour wall. 10 Euros each for 2 courses. I had fish soup, a large tureen enough for 6. Ann ordered a salad and got vegetable, mainly green soup. After mains of lamb, me, and anchovies for Ann. A very enjoyable day.
Tandem is working very well. Gears are great, and even loaded as it is, it feels very solid and stable at all speeds. The brakes are good, even without a drag brake, as long as I follow the advice for braking with a load on long descents there is no problem. The gear range suits us ideally as we have cycled up everything so far, even if slowly at times.
Hotel Palacio Oxangoiti
Mileage today :- 43 miles
Total mileage :- 100 miles
Along the coast tomorrow, which sounds great. Just have to avoid sunburn, temperature was around 28 today.
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