Monday 7th July 2025 Poza Rica to Naranjos
Happy Birthday Plewsy, have a great day Billy, catch up for a beer very soon young man, looking good at whatever age you are.

Early morning catch up with Steve’s progress, all going in the right direction, even started to moan now so know he is getting better, lovely breakfast this morning fresh milk from the restaurant last night good stuff. Nice stopping in a decent place every now and again, feel so clean and refreshed, all fueled up on massive pasta dishes, feel like I could just keep riding, we will see.

Leave the salubrious hotel complex, back down to the real life in the sexily named Poza Rica, really did not live up to its vibrant name, as we cycled through the main city, and back out the other side, if the truth be known, I think whoever named the city was looking through rose tinted glasses, maybe he had mine on!

Finally get out of the city same road all day heading towards Naranjos, miles away yet, just keep riding, feels good to be out on the open roads again, in the early morning mist, even looks like rain, probably not going to happen though, just keep riding see what the day brings. Very easy riding road not the best but had a lot worse these last couple of days, no worries, though the bikes are looking a bit worse for wear, all the guys back home giving us tremendous support keep saying you are nearly there, we look at the bike, with more hope than anything else, every little squeak brings out a nervous feeling.

We forgo an early break to try and get some miles, while it is a bit cooler, good plan loads of water so keep pushing on, three climbs on todays route, early on they would not be a climb, once again we did the first one without noticing just a 3 mile steady incline easy peasy, then stopped in the favourite OXO, nice coffe and soft drink, though we was moved on by the armed security guy, think they had a cash delivery or some thing, just a little nudge with the machine gun. is enough to say OK, years ago I would have had his gun and hat for a picture, but he did look a bit mean at first, he actually came over for a little chat when his duties where over, still wanted to have a little play, but could see Bingo looking at me with those stern eyes, “Don’t you dare” enough said, or not said to be frank.

Only gone about a mile, Bingo said my back pannier is not right, yes its wobbling, one bolt sheared and one stay snapped, nothing theses two intrepid travellers can’t fix, get “Ronnie House” bag of spare bits out and see what we can do, sure enough, move the rack about a bit, get a few more fixings in place, as good as new, not really but think it will get us over the finish line, with a bit love and attention, think the same can be said for the bikes and us. Off we go again, flushed with the feeling only 20 miles or so to go.

First bit a little up hill, manage that with so much ease, these two bikes are flying now, that’s the problem, we come over that last little crest, with a spurt of energy, maybe a beer is on the horizon who knows, just keep riding, in a world of my own, next thing I know a car is pulling up along side, says “Tu compañero tiene un problema de vuelta en el camino” Bingo has a problem on the road!, I pull over get the phone out, then another car stops, lets me know he is back riding, sweet. Honestly the drivers have been so good, very respectful with a gracious smile and a timely hoot of the horn, wait in the shade for no longer than a minute or two, back together.

Last few miles into the very little town of Naranjos, hostel sorted, kit washed, then hit the town for some more inner tubes, got then all sorted, then eat and a casual beer to round the day off.