Viana do Castelo (Monserrate)

Up and at em at 6am with a view to setting off at 7am.
When I arrived to collect my bike from the store room I met Kevin, he was admiring my bike and asking about all the kit. Turns out he wants to do the great divide but can’t convince his wife to do it just yet. We chatted for ages. The plan was to get breakfast on route but we ended up eating at the hotel and setting off late at 8am. He was headed south back to Porto. But he did say not to follow the cycle paths and roads, “follow the true Camino pedestrians route, it’s challenging but worth it along the rugged coast line”. He airdropped me the map. I thought I will get to Viana do Castelo and decide if I’ll be going inland on the traditional cycling road route or stick with the coastal route.
On arriving at Viana do Castelo I got a stamp at the train station and the heavens opened. Real north west UK rain, that stuff that gets you soaking wet!
Some one told me that sailers are not made on calm waters so I put on my waterproof and headed out.
I decided to stop for a coffee at a beautiful beach cafe after feeling a little down by the weather. Also thinking to myself, it would be better to hike so I could chat and meet more people. Next thing 4 bike-packing cyclists came past! Trust the Camino to deliver.
Not one to miss an opportunity I paid for my coffee and caught them up. They were Andy and Laury-Anne from Colorado (not far off the great divide route as it happens!) cycling with their French friends.
I asked if I could join them as they too were following to coastal route. The company was very welcome and great fun.
We all caught the famous ferry to Spain, that was a real treat and quite the experience best 7 euros spent in a long time. Just when I was thinking of how I can make this ride shorter, I didn’t expect it to be so lonely, cycling this route, and these wonderful people turn up.
As it happened I was the most experienced cyclist and the only one with a map…!!
So I soon became the ride leader. We cycled through all weathers, along boardwalks through forests and along rugged coast lines.
I had to take a personal call so let the group cycle on for the last 10km, on catching them up at speed and in the rain I managed to take a corner too fast and came off. For the second time in as many weeks in the rain! So I now have matching right thigh and leg bruises! (The bike is ok!)
Checking into the same hotel we all got changed and went for a beer and food then early to bed after a whopping 90km and 7 hours in the saddle today.
Lesson for today. Enjoy the journey, you really don’t know what delights are round the corner, even if you are cold, wet and in a ridiculous orange rain jacket looking as if you have just been tangoed, fun may be just round the corner. The universe has a plan greater than the one you have for yourself.

Until tomorrow Bonne nuit mon amours ❤️Read more