May 26, 2016

Situation Report:  My snuffles have improved but now the lungs are congested and wheezy.  That’s the danger of continuing to ride with a cold.  Ken is as fit as a butcher’s dog.  Weather wise we have clouds for the first time this trip, making it nice and cool.

We’ve got about 80 kilometres to do today so a cool start to the day is appreciated.  We’re not sure quite how strenuous the route will be today.  We know that the first half is hilly but we hope after that it will flatten out.

The first half is definitely hilly and so is the second half.  It is the most challenging terrain of the trip so far.  It takes us over five hours and the majority of that time is spent in bottom gear slowly climbing upwards.

The landscape is much more interesting than that of the last couple of days.  We’ve left the cereal fields behind, to be replaced with wild and wooded terrain.  The ditches are full of beautiful wild flowers, which we have plenty of time to admire as we crawl along.  Despite the challenge the ride is enjoyable and our climbing legs are definitely improving, it is only the last 20 kilometres or so when we run out of steam.  As we roll up outside the place we have booked to stay, the owner, an Irishman, appears instantly to help us with our bikes and luggage.  He seems to have anticipated our weakened state.  Tomorrow should be an easier day – I say that every day.