Friday 4th July 2025 Cosamaloapan to Veracruz City
The only thing of real importance that happened today was my Mum and Dads wedding in 1953, according to my sums, that’s 72 years ago, woo! just paraphrased a famous quote so be it, think the guy said “Nothing of importance happened today.” Something about Independence day, hey ho he was probably right. All that load of stuff I hope my Mum has a lovely day today.

Pasta meal last night, Bingo went for the double meal, I settled for a single meal and double beers, seems to suit my constitution, still home my 20:00, late night for us, living the dream. Still the alarm goes off at 05:00, both up like a bat out of hell, think that is a song! Some Canadian bloke will give him a thumbs up! Breakfast sorted, bikes ready to roll, so off we go.

Complete change of tact today, going through the countryside see how that goes, like always nothing can go wrong, just that some things are a tadge better than others, so off we go down the little country lanes. Through the peat bog land, with loads of cattle, roaming around, feels good, then the first cattle grid, mate they are dangerous, seriously, note to self concentrate. Well in the first 20 miles if I had a pound for every cattle grid we went over, think i would have had £75 at least, they are awful, some so rusted you had to get off your bike, but the good thing, no traffic, just guys on horseback giving us weird looks, like what are you doing here. I was actually asking the same question, as we navigated through more farm/swamp land, lovely views though, on and on this went, we finally stopped at a quaint little farm shop, overlooking a baseball triangle, looked good. the lovely family had a couple of soft drinks and watched the world go by, I just said mate , we could be in Hougham here, quick as flash Bingo said Staple look at that pig, just wallowing in its own thing, excellent, we had another soft drink.

Best get riding, only another 10 miles, then we should be on a main road, OK just ride as best we can, in an out the dusty bluebells, where did that come from, once again this crazy head, keeps me riding, fair play the road does get slightly better, as we push on to where ever at the moment. Finally hit the main road, with a bit of relief. Getting a few quick miles in, road still not great but a lot better, quickly put 20 miles in the bag with ease, we are rocking, try a service station no good, mile or so down the road a little cafe have another soft drink, nearly thinking about a beer, but athletes we are, so decline, or the truth be told, they did not sell any.

Right 20 or miles to go lets rock, drifting down the hard shoulder making good progress, come to a little junction, we pull over check the maps, Bingo all good got a hostel here 10 mile away, he books it, then with a sly grin says just follow me. OK captain Pugwash here we go, straight back on the main road for a mile, then off piste for 9 miles, through dykes, flooded byways, just the worst rippo we have had and all self inflicted, tough riding in the middle of the day, it took an age to cover the miles, feet sogging wet has we went through the muddy flooded byway, which seemed never ending.

Finally entered the City Valente Díaz, through the maze of back streets and unmade roads, trying to call a beer stop, Bingo has its his route needs to keep going, I find a little burst of energy Modelo infused, pull in front, then stop nearly straight away, I am thirsty, nice little bar, with a few cold beers in the fridge, just half a mile from the hostel, good planning.

All days are pretty tough, just the looking at the maps in the morning give me goose pimples, but fair play one tough ride today. All booked in bags in the room, bikes around the side, ask the lovely lady for the use of the hosepipe, all done, wash the bikes down, they needed it.

Then relax, nice shower, check for leeches they will do well to latch onto me, bet they had a go and said sod that, he smells worst than me! Few cold ones then ready to eat and sleep.