Yesterday was a precious spring sunny Monday. I try to schedule my days to accomplish as much as I can while here but honestly, I love the "no pressure" I feel as if nothing is a must-do. I am kind of getting into the Portuguese countryside way of living. I decided to go on a short cycling trip to explore the area.
Here's my first 35-year-old mountain bike. Quite heavy compared to the new one I left home, with no front or rear suspension, no disk breaks, and a heavy steel frame, so what? I mounted the old luggage rack, got some food, and left trying to reach the village next door with no GPS, just my intuition and the cell phone.
I crossed the village and left it behind on one of the ancient paths. Everything was green and although the sun was shining the temperature was very nice. Olive tree farms are all over, some of them have also sheep and all you can hear is nature. Here's a shot while I was next to a small reservoir, there's plenty of underground water in this area and you can see these small natural water "deposits" every once in a while.
After one hour I reached the neighboring village and as it was noon, I decided to have my lunch. I parked in a garden in front of a small chapel.
After enjoying the food, I decided to return to my new "home village" using the road. This is remote Portugal so there is no traffic at all and you feel quite safe using your bike on regular roads. I avoid them when home as it is quite dangerous there. As I was living in the village, I saw a little virgin next to the empty road.
Just a few minutes later I reached my destination. Here's a view of the main road entering the city with a welcoming sign.
I stopped by the fountain before heading home. This is my water source for now. A nice place where the women used to wash their clothes in the old times.
You will notice the circle with the stones they used to wash.
Here's the cycling map, a small first trip. I will try to use my GPS next time to be able to organize my trip better but I loved getting lost out there today and reaching my destination with just my intuition.
The route you took looks so peaceful and nice, and even if this is your old bike it served well. It's like going back in time... maybe you also felt 35 years younger :D
Not sure if younger physically but I can assure you I am in peace of mind. Everything is very very calm and nature is wonderful.
That is what matters indeed 😇
It looks like a great day for it, nice weather and all.
Days are getting warmer and warmer, we reached 30°C today, but nights are nice and chilli as there is a big temperature difference between day and night.
Warming up for sure.
The old bicycle still seems to work pretty fine. Suspension would give you a bit more comfort and a bit less weight would be nice too, but you are able to make rides and that's good!
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It's a great bike and I see you appreciate it because even though it's old it's in excellent condition. I enjoyed this ride and the views. It's a great experience to go exploring like this, in contact with nature.
Cheers!
how nice it is to ride a bike in the countryside, too bad I live in the city and the countryside is very far away (about 3 hours by car). I would like someday to make a trip through a sparsely populated place by bike. I'll see what the future holds.
what great pictures you took
Your cycle remembered my school days hahah.when I was often go to school with bag and smal cycle.hhh how the peaceful sides.its sunning.