After my 4 day sojourn for the Cup Final I was back on the bike today. There were two possible routes depending on my progress. I could go along the Sao Jacinto peninsular and the Aveiro Estuary (my preferred route) or I could follow busy high traffic roads though Aveiro, Estarreja and Ovar. So what's the problem ? Well to go via Sao Jacinto I needed to catch a ferry at 12:45 that is 42 miles away from Comibra. So I was off on a 40 mile time trial and flying through towns like Cantanhede, Mamarossa and Palhaça. At Salgueiro I needed to decide .. West for the ferry or North for the 'difficult' route. I was there in plenty time for the ferry I had 75 minutes to ride only 13 miles and although it started raining I continued through Ilhavo towards the estuary and the ferry. I was at the port 15 minutes before the ferry. At this point I must say I think there's been a glitch in the matrix ... 1st Newcastle win a Trophy 2nd Today I had a tailwind Neither of those things EVER happen. The ferry took me across the Aveiro Estuary to Sao Jacinto which is an Army base and at the end of a 20 mile peninsular. The estuary is where the Vouga river reaches the sea, for anyone who followed me last year you may remember I crossed the Vouga way inland on a Via Verde on my way to Sao Pedro do Sol. Looking towards the mouth a huge lighthouse stands at Barra and inside the mouth the port has Gas Holders, Cranes and lots of Industry. At the other side I cycled north on a fantastic tailwind to Torreira where I had a vety leisurely lunch for about an hour. Torreira has a small marina on the estuary, where there were dozens of small fishing boats 'Barcos' with pointed bows painted in multiple colours and names. I cycled across the peninsular to the coast (about 1 mile) before continuing up the estuary to the edge of Ovar where I once again headed to the coast at Furadouro to pick up a great cycle route all the way to Espinho on a Ruta Florestal which weaved through huge Forest plantations on Sub coastal sand dunes. I was in Espinho by 4pm having done an effortless 75 miles ... If only god gave cyclists tailwinds every day.