Day 3 was another day of multiple climbs - we left Sao Joao de Pesqueira after a breakfast in our apartment and headed up out of town for 10 miles before reaching a really fast descent with multiple fun hairpin bends down into Horta followed by a climb up to Touca and then a fast thrilling 900ft descent on a straight"ish" road straight down to Vila Nova de Foz Coa.
We eneterd town and diverted to a little bar I know for morning coffees after which we left town to do the last 20km along the N222 which started with another exhillerating descent into the Coa valley. We crossed a bridge and then had a 1000ft climb up to Almendra and the end of the N222 - we stopped at the 222km marker and also at the very end of the N222 which is about 500 meters further on. Lunch was in Almendra at the Cafe Stop where we had two tasty Bifanas and then for me I had my worst 10 miles across to Figuera de Catelo Rodrigo - I just couldnt get comfortable on the saddle after lunch !
At Figueira there were large black storm clouds approaching - I checked my radar app and we were unsure whether to sit the shower out or to push on to Pinhel. We pushed on and were chasing the front of the rain down a fabulous 7 miles of descent before the last 5 miles and 1100ft of ascent where the rain finally forced the jackets on briefly - at the top of the first 700ft climb the rain had pushed over and left us with asunny and dry last 3 miles into town where we enjoyed a great walk along the City walls before a couple of beers in a local bar and a great meal in the best reataurant in town opposite our guest house - Day 3 DONE and very succesfully.