The good news is we successfully completed day one and learned a lot doing so. We also experienced much variety- cycling through a heard of long horn cows, a lot of very rough terrain where we often had to walk, some hard caked mud with ruts and holes to big to cycle over, dirt tracks that were relatively easy, rocky paths where we had to get off and walk, a beautiful ride through the national park full of cork trees, for which we had to pay with the climb up Calvary, the hill/baby mountain just before our stop at Almadén de la Plata. Calvary lives up to its name, about a km of very steep rocky climb. Not only impossible to ride but a really tough climb pushing a loaded bike. A cold shower when we got to our hotel was one of the best.
things ever!
The view from calvary
It was pretty hot today. We had a nice lunch at Castle Blanco at a bar beside the community water tap where we replenished our water supply. I am drinking enormous amounts of water.
We met a couple from Holland also riding. They are keeping to the roads but we saw them at Castilblanco and again here at Almadén.
At the top of Calvary we spoke to a woman from Latvia waiting for her daughter to make it to the top.
The hill in front of John is the beginning of Calvary
VDLPbyBike 
great! and you survived 🙂 go on!
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Congratulations! Great first day! That route looks like it is going to be very challenging. Were you anticipating it? Love being able to follow your progress like this. Stay strong!
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Hi Linda. Nice to hear from you. I think we were expecting something like this in parts. Just hope it is not to often. It slowed us down a lot as we had to get off and push the bikes quite a bit. Most of the people we are meeting who are biking are taking the roads but that means they miss out on a lot of the interesting stuff.
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Well done, that was a difficult day. I was looking at the temperature which was high, but I see it drops quite a bit tomorrow as does the terrain if I am reading the elevation correctly. All the best for tomorrow and the days ahead. Mary
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Hi Linda
Nice to see you saw the blog. Yes we had read lots of warnings about Calvary- not so many about the condition of the path but we’re anticipating a challenge
Day 2 was pretty good.
Dermot
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Well done! when the going gets tough the tough get going!! the cyclists taking the roads are probably saying ‘those 2 crazy Irish guys’ but you both look happy out and it’s great to see the pics – wishing you both the best of luck on the road/track ahead. Cheers Ellen
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Hi, congratulations to both of you – you survived the first day! Calvary certainly looks daunting! It is great to be able to keep track of your progress and the pictures really bring home to us what it is like. I am loving the blog. Best wishes, Breda
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great photo’s and lovely to hear how you great adventure is going. The terrain looks rough and the dirt tracks seems a tought ride. Love landscape so hope it eases the journey. Take care and drink loads of water.
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I think of the Irish wish ‘May the road rise to meet you!’ I hope that the dips are more numerous than the climbs. You are great. Kathleenn.
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Dermot! Come sei scatenato! Fantastica scarpinata per un inizio viaggio in stile! Forza e coraggio!
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Grazie Sabrina
E molto buono di sentire da te! Adesso siamo a Zafra, il giorno 2 e’ completo.
SALUTI
Dermot
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Well done on getting through the first day. It looks tough! Coffee breaks and lunches are great targets! 🙂 Ultreia!
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Hi John, Glad to see the trip is going well so far, hope your not missing dominics too much enjoy!
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Hi John and Dermot, love the photos of Seville and of day 1. It’s great to hear how you are getting on. Hope the terrain is less challenging today and that you meet lots more people along the way, giorraionn beirt bothar.
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Well the terrain doesn’t look too bad from the pictures here Dermot — i would think the hills and the heat would be the challenge. Off road takes a lot more out of you than on road but it looks like you’re handling it and keeping hydrated which is important. Wish i was there.
Steve Carter
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Steve good to hear from you. Yes the pictures don’t really do it justice. It is sort of ironic, you take the off road to see the scenery but then often you have to be so focused on the ground that you miss the scenery even more. What we do see however is worth it! Having a great experience, you would love it.
Dermot
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Those trails are some of the toughest/worst of the entire Via de la Plata! Barely rideable in places. Bravo!
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