Sunday 6th July 2025 Vega de Alatorre to Poza Rica
Woke up to the soft tones of the 5 o’clock alarm, must be another work day, no worries always ready, I sleep in my kit, just in case we need a quick getaway. Breakfast done, kit packed lets rock, busy day as we have a call scheduled with the lovely big sister Deborah this afternoon, will need to get there early and smarten ourselves up.

Just going North believe it not, up to the big metropolis of Poza Rica, never heard of it, but been on the sign posts for ages and a sexy name to boot, well I think so. Pretty dark when we left the hostel, no worries have a couple of lights lets push on, the sun rising over our right shoulder, feels good in the early morning, lots of waves and thumbs up to all the workers ready to put in theirs days toil, same as us mate, I think. Very easy riding in the morning along the coast past all the fancy hotels, bit off season, but still a fair few people about. Both feeling good stretching the muscles enjoying the tourist route, as we go full steam ahead, burning up the morning miles.

Though it is a bit stop and start as we speed through the seaside towns, could be in Planet Thanet, but the people are a lot friendlier and pleasant! just looking for an ATM, Sunday morning running low on cash, same same, finally find one that is working, sort the cash out then we burn the miles.

Three hours solid riding, breaks the back of the day, as we head slightly inland and a couple of little climbs, very little, so little that I missed the first one, as we pushed on, made Snowdown hill look like the north face of the Eiger, carried on, least we noticed the next little hill, gentle incline for a couple of miles, with these calves pumping like an old steam engine we cruised over the top.

Just a steady roll into the afor mentioned sexy Poza Rica, me looking for a little barra de cantina, had to settle for a OXO place, stopped in a little shack, they pointed us down the road for beer, so be it, two large cans, as we sorted the digs out.

Gone posh tonight as we have a call with my Sis planned, need to make sure we are at least a little bit presentable! Rolled into the Poza Rica Inn, was expecting a valet to park my bike, to no avail, booked all good.

Really good shower, felt good ready to present ourselves to our wonderful, caring sister, need to talk about logistics, border crossing etc, but most importantly care for Mum and Steven.

Get it all sorted, in no time, just common sense prevails really, we are roughly 14 days away from Austin, if Deb needs to fly to the UK before that’s no problem, we will take each day as it comes, makes sense, most importantly lovely chat and we all agree the family back home have been amazing so comforting.

Nice relaxing afternoon, good lunch and a pleasant swim in the pool.