Monday, April 1, 2024

Andalusia: Day 19 - Alcaudete to Santa Cruz

I was not in a hurry to leave today because the sun was suppose to come out around noon and it would start to warm up.  I started at 11am with my jacket on and after lunch I had stowed it.  I probably should have put sunscreen on today.


Out of town I got on a nice bike path beside the road which took me to the rail trail, Via Verde del Aceite.  I followed that to another rail trail Via Verde de Guadajoz Subbetica which I took until Baena.  This was a great ride with fantastic views.  I had to keep stopping to take pictures.


Last two days I have been on the Mozárabe Camino.  I probably saw 10 walking pilgrims and yellow arrows all day.  There was one cycling pilgrim I saw in the morning at a rest area overlooking the most amazing field of wild flowers.  At first I thought it was a purple lake.  I saw him again when I stopped for coffee at the trail switch and again at my hotel.  We ended up eating together and had a Google Translate conversation.  He is from the north of Spain and I asked if he came south for warmer weather; we laughed hard at that.


Today I covered 3 days worth of pilgrim walking and passed several sets of pilgrims.  I spoke with a couple from Mallorca in the morning who must have walked most of the Caminos.


The ride today was really scenic and I would highly recommend these rail trails for anyone cycling this area.  They connect some really special towns and the route is beautiful.


For the first time in days I ended with dry shoes and not wearing a jacket.  The forecast says it will warm considerably over the next few days.  Looking forward to that.


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