Last day before a week off, and I only had 40kms to get done. I would wind down and take it very easy.
Unfortunately, I had to climb out of Albufeira after a look around. I spotted two sets of long escalators that would make it super easy, but only one was working. So I rode back into the centre and did the climb myself. It wasn’t too hard, but boy, they love a one-way system here. It was hard to find a legit way out, so I gave up and went up a one way street. No traffic thankfully.
I followed the beach briefly but then followed the road along the ridge. The area looked a bit cheap and touristy but after that. Things got better and gradually morphed into seemingly endless golf resorts that all looked the same.
It started to get a little tedious, especially the drivers who were trying to push me off the road and driving way too close. That was about half of them. I shouted at one guy and he backed right off and didn’t try to pass for at least a kilometre.
Just when I thought it wasn’t going to be interesting, I turned off and rode the next five kms on a sometimes sandy, sometimes muddy or steep road that was always fun.
When that finished, I was close to my destination. I tried Decathlon for shoe covers for when my sandals and socks just aren’t enough, but they had no stock. That’s been the case at every one of their stores I’ve been to recently.
I’ll try a bike shop soon.
I chose the hotel because they have storage for gear, and a parking are where I can leave the bike. It’s complicated but I’ll use this when the four of us are in Lisbon, and stay here again after the others have flown back to the UK and Holland. That has worked out really well.
Timo is bringing down my small panniers and a new frame bag, so my setup is changing again. I will need more storage for food and stuff on my way to Central Asia. I’ll sort this all out over Xmas. The only extras I’ll carry, are food and a solar panel. I’d hate to carry extra weight to the altitudes over there.
I had a walk around Faro which has a fair number of tourists due to the nearby airport, but it’s definitely low season.
Merry Christmas !