To Cazalla de la Sierra

April 20, 2024

Today I left Extremadura and returned to Andalucia, a very real indication that my tour of Iberia is nearing an end – at least for this go-round. I left Llerena under overcast skies, with a moderate chance of rain predicted for later today. I kept my optimist helmet on, hoping that the tour would not end as it began, i.e. wet.

For the first few miles, the route stayed north of the Sierra Morena range as it edged along the vast plains of Extremadura. I stayed on EX-200, skirting Reina and it’s castle on the hill, but I did detour into Fuente del Arco where I picked up a few supplies at a quaint little market. I really didn’t need anything, but I somehow wanted to put a closing note on my time in this remarkable region of Spain.

A look back at the Mudejar tower of Nuestra Señora de la Granada

The alignment of the gazebo with the towers of Nuestra Señora de la Granada and Convento de Santa Clara reminded me a little of Paris, where the Arc de Triomphe aligns with the Luxor Obelisk and the Louvre Pyramid

A last look at the vastness of Extremadura

In Fuente del Arco - I especially liked how the ATM has been incorporated within the arch on the right

Shortly after leaving Fuente del Arco I entered Andalucia and began a one mile climb to Puerto de Llerena, my first named peak of the tour. From there it was a nice downhill into the town of Guadalcanal, whose name was given to the island in the Solomon Islands by an Andalucian resident who served with the Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira. Though it was a bit early in the day, I decided to stop for lunch in Guadalcanal as it was the only town remaining on my route to Cazalla de la Sierra.

I bopped into a store for a carbonated beverage, not realizing it was butcher shop until I spied the rows of hams and sausages hanging from the walls. The butcher was preparing orders for two customers already in the store, but they let me cut in line when they saw I’d only come in for a Fanta. I stashed the orange can in my pannier and found a bench in the town square where I people watched, once again enjoying the myriad of folks, young and old, enjoying their public space and the company of others.

Good-bye Extremadura and Hello Andalucia

Reaching the top of the climb with little fanfare

Plaza Santa Ana, where social groups gathered, elderly men in wheelchairs were out for a roll, dads played soccer with their small children, and boys showed off their scooter skills

There was a big drop after Guadalcanal, 4.5 miles on a provincial road that started off snaking through tree-covered hillsides before gently dropping into a small valley. Just as the downhill flattened out, I headed up another ridge of the Sierra Morena range. The route continued to undulate along the top of the ridge, passing groves of olive trees and small herds of cattle. It was another wonderful stretch of cycling the small roads of Spain – I can remember only two vehicles on the 16 miles of A-3300 south of Guadalcanal.

The twists and turns leaving Guadalcanal

My wonderful road ended and I turned south toward Cazalla de la Sierra on another quiet provincial road. I rolled slowly through the white washed town to the far end where my charming hotel, La Posada del Moro, was located. Vivien George was escorted to her quiet spot on the terrace and I retreated to my room for relaxing/journaling before dinner. Dinner was at the hotel restaurant, where I was joined by one young couple. The food was interesting and good, but both the starter and main were a little cold in the center - maybe not the best night for a highly rated restaurant.

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Today's ride: 34 miles (55 km)
Total: 811 miles (1,305 km)

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