I was hasty in deciding to make my previous blog the last one I would do. In truth, I do enjoy doing them. So you will continue to be assailed by my blathering.

With so much heavy work to do in the garden recently, I have found it difficult to justify doing longer rides. When Tim said he was intending to up his mileage as part of his training, I could not resisit suggesting a ride together. Now Tim is getting to be something of a “mean machine” on the bike. He completed the Lanzarote triathlon earlier this year and is now training for the one in Salou 2012. But he promised he would not be interested in speed, it was more about getting the miles in. 

Twice before I have cycled up to Torre de Macanes (or, Torremanzanas), the mountain village from where the stone for our walling was quarried. The route covers the 150-160 kms that we wished to cycle.

We made good time along the N332, cycling to the far side of Benidorm before turning up to Finestrat. It was now nearly 10am and the windcheater had to come off before starting to climb. Suddenly it is as if the whole Mediterranean comes into view behind us, the little island of Tabarca a mere speck. Ahead of us, mountain peaks betray a world quite disti ct from that of the coastal fringe. As ever on the road from Finestrat, I – and Tim also – gasp at the unspoiled majesty of  the mountain scenery, all laid out seemingly for our private pleasure as no other traffic is to be seen. Not even another cyclist.

With the summit of Aitana, the highest peak (1500m) in the area, ahead of us we branched off to Relleu. Already the clear mountain air was ringing out to the sound of “come on Eric!” It went quieter on the particularly tough climb nearer to Torremanzanas as Tim’s chain was slipping and he could not use bottom gear. That made his legs burn a bit.

Tim (not short for timid, honestly) blocking the view of the mountain valley by Torremanzanas. Can you see the small Xmas. tree?

Ladies unloading wood for the fire in Torremanzanas

Torremanzanas itself is a delightful little place. It is very friendly for one thing. (A meaning for Macanes is said to be “the kind people”). But there always seems to be a rhythm of life there, not just the quiet moving around of old folk  in a village that has lost its purpose. The little bar by what passes as the plaza served us tostadas and coffees outside where the warmth of the sun made us reluctant to move on again.

But Tim had to get back for a 10km run so off we went, climbing up again to the Puerto de Benifallim (Benifallim pass) at 1030m. Now the next photo was taken on the descent with Aitana to the right and Alcoy over to the left. It does not do justice to the view but it might have saved our lives. As we continued down through steep, tight bends – in single file, I might add – a taxi came steaming up the hill cutting the bend completely. If we had been just a little further ahead he would have wiped us out.

Me

Just when you think you have reached the bottom a short steep climb of 20% rears up before you, but then you reach the main road where you would turn left to Alcoy but we turned right to head for the Tudons pass. There was a risk we would be back a little too late so we then took the left turn towards Gorga. This way we were able to reach Castel de Castels where we filled our water bottles from the fountain. As Tim remarked that we were nearly home I replied that there was a time, not that long ago, that a ride to Castels was a day out!

The windcheater had to go back on for the fast ride to Benigembla through valleys to where the late winter sun does not always reach. I had to laugh at Tim as he surged past and shouted “tuck in behind me” as he sped off. “I would if I could catch you”, I shouted back.

From Jalon back home I was running on the reserve tank, feeling quite depleted though also somewhat delighted that I did not have to accompany Tim on his 10km  run.

Distance  151kms    Time cycling  6hrs29mins    Average speed  23.3kph

News about Thamsanqa.

As I have previously related, the Dutch charity BeMore, who have been so supportive of Thamsanqa in recent years, have pulled out of South Africa completely due to the rising costs there. However, they have liaised with a group of Dutch supporters of Thamsanqa who have now formed a foundation, “Stichting Thamsanqa.nl”. From January they will have their own website, dtails of which I hope to post. The foundation will raise money for Thamsanqa by holding events and regular subsriptions as well as sourcing volunteers to help out at the orphanage.