Time: 8:26:29
Distance: 136.7km
Average Speed: 16.2km/h
Today we were on a mission. Over 2000m of climbing and 140km+ distance (the distance above is from Strava). We stayed in the town of Triacastela which was no craic and exactly what we needed. Both of us were asleep before 10. We hit the road shortly after 7 and did the first hour in the dark. Lots of rain didn't help. To save time we opted to live on short breaks of biscuits and chocolate but after 80km I was fading and needed some real food in Melide. We met a Polish man on the route several times who had started from Krakow on a 25 year old bike. He'll continue to Fatima and Lourdes before returning to Poland cycling. The last 10km into Santiago were complicated with about 1km on a dirt track. Arriving at the cathedral in Santiago gave a sense of achievement but we didn't stay long and left the bikes in a shop up the road to be boxed for tomorrow. Several recovery beers were had in the bars of the old town. I was so hungry that I ate an octopus. Great times!
Jerry's final thoughts: A great trip with great friends. I covered over 1000km and probably climbed more metres than Mount Everest. I thought that the climbing was out of the way after Basque but it continued all the way to Santiago. The toughest climbs for me were Urkiola and O Cebreiro. The best scenery was probably around the Basque coast and Logrono area. Great credit must go to Leeroy who may need a new knee after this trip after battling through a lot of pain without complaint. The same too for Abraham who broke his wrist but kept on going. Thanks also to John and Romain who joined the Basque stages and to my brother David who let me stay on my couch for a few nights.
Buen Camino!
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