Day 3: Ronda

September 20, 2004

I’m still laboring from a cold, which is now developing into a cough. Other than that though it’s another very challenging but very beautiful day. After climbing out of Antequera we followed a long, fairly level route above the plain and then dropped down to Valle de Abdaleis where we turned off to a very quiet, hilly secondary road - rising, then dropping sharply to the El Chorro Gorge.

Such awesome cycling. This reminds me too of how pleasantly surprised we were by the roads - in great condition, and much quieter than we had been afraid we might find.

This was supposed to be the easy part of the day.

Gaitanes Ravine, near El Chorro. The scar across the cliff face and the bridge spanning the ravine are the famously precarious El Caminito del Rey. It’s been reconstructed and tamed since this photo was taken, but at the time it had a reputation as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. Just look at that walkway - just a plank, no railing. Terrifying to imagine.

We cycled next alongside a long reservoir to Ardales where we broke for ice cream. And then on to El Burgo where we enjoyed a late lunch before resting in the park until about 4, hoping the temperature would drop (it’s been in the high 90’s) before the upcoming 2,000’ climb to Puerto del Viento (1190 meters).

El Burgo. Such a beautiful little place. Couldn’t we stop here?

The seven mile climb was relentless and grueling but near the summit we finally picked up some cloud cover and enjoyed our reward: a brisk, fast, downwind descent to Ronda. In Ronda, we added to the day’s burden by finding the wrong route to our hotel - dropping down a steep cobblestone lane to the Old Bridge, followed by an even steeper ride/push up the other side to the main road through town over the New Bridge. A long, hard, but very satisfying day.

I remember this well. This was in the pre-GPS days of course, and we chose a poor route through town with a fair amount of pushing up steep cobblestone streets.

Ronda is amazing place in a spectacular one of a kind setting. After gorging ourselves on a pizza dinner we walked the promenade along the rim of the cliffs dropping straight off below and then through the Alameda park.

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For the day: 60 miles, 5,670’; for the tour: 100 miles, 10,990’

Today's ride: 60 miles (97 km)
Total: 107 miles (172 km)

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