Today's ride would be functional, I usually prefer scenic routes but I need to head north and there are not many options Merida to Caceres so I would spend a lot of the ride on the old road which runs parallel to the new motorway, the first 22 miles are a steady climb up to 1500 ft at which point both roads cut through a cleft in the landscape. I would however find a couple of detours to get some scenery.
First off though it was raining and the forecast suggested this would come and go all day between showers and proper rain. So I spent about 20 minutes gearing up - Cycle Covers over the shoes which are always a pain to get on, full length leggings, base layer, thick cycle top, wind cheater and waterproof jacket on top and then a Gore skull cap under the helmet. I cycled off and after half a mile realised I didn't have my helmet on ! A quick retrace back to the hotel and it was still there on the window ledge where I had left it.
So away I went 2nd time and the day started with a 300ft climb to Proserpina where there is a small reservoir dating back to the Romans in the 5th century. I met a Spanish group and the man asked me how to get to Merida which I duly obliged in my best Spanish - he switched to English and we had a chat.
The top of the reservoir opened up to moorland and more bulls, One huge one in particular seemed to be making a racket as if to say this is my patch. Now I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure some 1 inch Angle Iron and barbed wire wouldn't stop this guy so I skedaddled up the hill - I was so concerned I was still checking behind after a mile !
I was now on the old road which was quiet and I passed two people doing the Camino de Santiago, both with sticks but one was towing a little 2 wheeled trailer. After 22 miles I reached the top and stopped for a coffee and a bit Tortilla, As I rode off there were two Police bikes there watching and as I headed off another 4 came up the hill towards me - I have no idea what was happening but doubted it was that guy running that I had seen yesterday again.
A super fast descent and in no time I was only 8 miles from Caceres where there were 3 castles within 5 miles of each other. Rather than stay on the main road I did my second detour and headed along another lake at Valdesalor which I had cycled round 3 years ago heading to Trujillo. It looks remarkably natural with huge natural boulders along its shoreline, as I took some pictures I had a flashback to when I had gone to Los Barruecos as it looked similar, Then I thought, that was the day I cycled into Caceres from the west and they are probably only about 10 miles away, no wonder the landscape was similar.
I had avoided the rain all day but as I thought this detour caused me to catch some and the last 30 minutes of the ride were a slog into the wind and rain on a rolling up and down road (mainly up) which was also pretty busy - it had become so grim cars had their lights on so I put mine on as well to be safe.
I had stayed in the hotel before so I found it immediately and I even got the same room. although this time I had to scan my passport onto an app and use the app to open 3 sets of doors to the building, the 2nd floor entrance and finally my room where the actual keys were ! Very Covid conscious here - I would say 50% of people are wearing masks just walking down the street.