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Writer's pictureAlana

98. Arreigada to Candemil, Portugal

July 18, 2024

I am following Lael Wilcox's route from Porto to Madrid because it was the only reputable one I could find on the interwebs. But it may be the end of me.


Lael Wilcox is the winner of the Tour Divide and TransAm endurace cycling races, and is currently contending for the women's world record for fastest circumnavigation of the world by bicycle. She cruised along these roads just a few weeks ago, averaging something like 180 miles per day.


Me? I was pretty pleased to eke out 35 miles today. The main problem is all the climbing. Today's ratio was more than 100 feet of ascent per mile; tomorrow's will be higher. The cobblestones are also slowing me down. I don't mind climbing cobblestones, but descending them still gives me the willies, what with all the bouncing and the occasional slipping tire.


As a Lael Wilcox fangirl, I console mysef with the thrill of literally riding in her tracks. But she is a monster. I am merely an animal. And though I may graduate to beast some day, I doubt I'll ever reach monsterhood.


And so I keep reminding myself that comparison is the thief of joy and trying to meet these these mountains on my own terms. I am learning to love the burning in my legs.


After all, a climb is just a flat that goes up.


Distance: 35 miles

Climbing: 3,600 feet

Total distance: 4,214 miles



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