Day 23 - 1,000 mile cycle across France 🇫🇷 + Spain 🇪🇸

I have taken the word pilgrimage out of my title as this is not necessarily a pilgrimage I realised tonight. More of me dipping my toes into the world of cycle Touring.

The true definition of pilgrimage does not define this journey and therefore it’s now as it reads, 1000 mile cycle across France and Spain.

I started today being woken by first light just before sunrise at 6 o’clock and a few minutes in the morning. I turned over onto my shoulder and returned to the world of dreams I had been coinciding in.

The sound of something close and mechanical alerted me to the point of full on let’s pack down my tent and get the heck out of here as soon as possible. I also heard the voices of men and really accelerated my packing routine up to the max.

The light was still dusk and when I heard for the second time the loud mechanical device come closer I stood up to see light shining in my direction from the tractor. I ducked quickly and continued packing.

Luckily I was not seen I was able to escape the scene without detection. I then proceeded with my journey south. The mammoth wind electric windmills towered above me and where seen dotted allover the landscape surrounding me.

The Sun was now upon the horizon created an opportunity for me to play with my tripod and my iPhone capturing images.

I then continue down the dirt roads which interconnected until I found a road next to the highway.

To my right I saw a concrete picnic table surrounded by grassy area and seize the opportunity to prepare coffee and some food for breakfast

During this time I received a message from Owen who I met four years ago at the Rodopi adventure trail run in Greece which is a 100 mile foot race through the mountains. I called him back and we chatted for about 15 minutes.

Owen is a pretty cool dude who has been living in Europe as long as I’ve known him four years ago in various places using his touring bike to manoeuvre around the different countries.

The wind was behind me today and the gradient slightly downhill which made for sometimes 50 kph speeds. Trucks went past me and gave me enough room on the road to show respect and not scared the life out of me.

I stopped at one of the first towns I came to after about 2 1/2 hours and ate some Spanish omelette and drank a Coca-Cola with some ice. Older men drank wine with fizzy water and various spirits and it was only 10 o’clock in the morning. I’ve never seen this before.

I continued on with the tailwind and by lunchtime had covered 30 miles. I stopped and bought an ice cream at a small shop which was run by an Asian lady. She was not too friendly and continued with her conversation on the phone.

I’ve passed masses of peach trees and decided to stop next to a tractor which had a crate full of peach’s. I’ve pointed to the peaches and The Man Who was next to the tractor immediately knew what I wanted. He picked out his best peach and gave it to me, I bit into it and juice dripped down my chin. I nodded and gave my thumbs up indicating it was fantastic. He gave me two more and we made eye contact I showed true appreciation.

I then came to town called Carinena. By this point I’d cycled 50 miles and was bushed. There was no campsite anywhere and I didn’t really feel like wild camping again.

I walked across the road to the closest hotel and booked myself in a room for €40. I had a shower then went out onto the town. The first thing I did was go to a bullfight. I’ve never been to one of these before I was keen to see what it was all about.

A young ball with a lot of spirit came out with sharp horns and proceeded to chase teenagers all over the arena. And that consisted of the night. No slaughter but a teenager broke his arm after jumping and falling badly. The sight was horrid.

But I was pleased the bull was not hurt. I then took a walk around to get some food. 4 bars later and four glasses of wine costing about €1 each I was ready for food.

I accidentally found the best place to eat in town for €25 had one of the best ribs of beef in my life. As I was eating it I could not help think of the young bull more and how much spirit it had. And therefore every single bite of my rib I appreciated and respected holy.