Today I was off to Coimbra which is only 30 miles away, but Im retracing a day from back in 2015 when I cycled home from the Algarve and that day from Pombal to Coimbra turned into a disaster when my rear derailleur smashed on a kerb in Figueira de Foz.
So today I would do 60 miles to exorcise that memory !
After 5 miles and an easy climb I had completed all the climbs for the day - from here it would be flat pan.
At 10 miles I joined the N109 which I thought would be quiet but it was wall to wall wagons and Bulk Liquid tankers.
There was a good verge however so I just cracked on and was at the bridge to Figueira de Foz before Noon.
I headed towards the mouth of the mighty Mondego river and made my way to the old jetty lighthouse which was protected by huge concrete preforms.
A small ferry ran across into town but the internet suggested it may not take bikes- I was in luck, it did .. and the ferry was free !!!
I was pleased because the bridges are tricky at the best if times and they had extensive roadworks going on, so I was pleased not to have to try to cycle across.
I visited the jetty pier on the North side of the Mondego too, and this time waves were leaping 30ft in the air showering the jetty - timing was everything to reach the lighthouse without getting soaked and my timing was good.
After a small lunch I followed a cycle path and was surprised to find myself on a path with train lines on both sides of me - this could end badly I thought but there were huge metal gates and the track on the right was just marshalling yards so I crossed safely. Then I followed quiet roads 26 miles along the Mondego passing the canoe club which had a 2km piste (If thats the right word) into Coimbra where I diverted to cross the coloured glass panelled footbridge for some moe Bike Tour shots !