Andalusia: Day 22 - Carmona to Arroyomolinos de León

Breakfast at the hotel was at 9.  The host talked to me about the things to see in Carmona and gave me a tour of the back patio which was on the other side of the wall.  The building was on both sides of the wall.  This town is a lot more interesting than I ever expected ... all I wanted was a bike shop.

I walked over to the bike shop at 10 with all my gear in my cycling stuff.  I got some looks.

My man had my bike, we talked about a bunch of stuff, I paid 120€ and I rode off.  I had a pretty big day planned and I was not riding until almost 11.  This would be a very late finish.  Probably around 7, I was thinking.

I made good time on the first 40km; it was flat.  Before starting the first climb I stopped for a coffee and a jamon sandwich.  It was good.  Then the climbing began.

Once again I was on the Camino.  The Via de la Plata is probably the 5th or 6th most popular route.  There are probably 15-30 walkers on each section each day based on what I have seen riding past them.  There were quite a few coming into Castilblanco de los Arroyos and hanging about town as I rode through.  The next day's batch were on the way to Almadén de la Plata or already in town.  About 20km before Almadén de la Plata I saw a girl resting and I stopped and we chatted for a bit.  She was from Sofia and had a long way to go today.  I said I was going to get lunch in Almadén de la Plata and she said she hoped to get there in time for dinner.  Bikes are faster.

I got lunch in Almadén de la Plata and I chatted with some pilgrims at the next table, a Spanish guy and a Danish guy.  They were both done for the day.  The Danish guy did admit to only walking halfway because he didn't want to walk along the road.

After the first climb the road was up and down.  One kilometer I am flying down a hill and the next I am grinding up.  I was either in my highest gear or my lowest.  That translated to a lot of climbing.

I finally made it to my hotel at exactly 7pm.  The town didn't look like there were many options for food.  I ended up with ensalida rusa - mayo, egg, potato and sardines, I think.  I also had bread and potato chips.  And a couple of beers.  Glad I had a decent lunch.  Apparently there are places open as early as 7am.