Córdoba ride

November 13, 2023

We're having a laid-back morning, waiting for the sun to warm things up before we take off on today's ride. I found another route on RidewithGPS that will take us into the Sierra Morena north of Cordoba. Around 11 we head out across the river to skirt around the cobblestones of the old city, pick up the bike path west along the river, then cross back north towards the mountains.

This hospital looks like a Borg cube to me, especially if you paint it black.

On an empty road out of town, I can just make out some sort of castle or church ahead in the Sierra Morenas.

Around mile 5 we leave Cordoba on a road that seems to be headed towards that castle we saw further back. Could be a church or a villa, I'm not sure what. It's just nice to have a target to shoot for. The day has warmed up well into the 70s already as we start up the switchbacks.

Appreciating the cool shade by the bank as I chug up the hill.

At mile 10 where the route turns east, another road goes the other way, west to Santa Maria de Trassierra. It's just 3 miles to the town, which is known for beautiful hiking trails, vacation homes and the birthplace of Beatriz Enriquez de Arana, mistress of Christopher Columbus. Hmm, maybe that castle is somewhere down this road. If nothing else, we should be able to find lunch there.

At the entrance to Santa Maria de Trassierra

The parish church of Santa Maria de Trassierra

We're enjoying the fall colors here. I expect most of the leaves will have fallen at home by the time we get back next week.

We never did see the castle, but found a nice place for lunch in the courtyard at Restaurante El Candil

A couple of Cordoba specialties: Flamenquin - A deep fried pork and ham roll, and Salmorejo - a cold creamy tomato-base soup with ham and eggs. Thumbs up to both.

Back on the route, we're on a lovely lonely road with just a few cars and cyclists out here with us. The road goes up a succession of peaks to the high point at 1500 feet above the city.

These signs always make me feel like we're in the right place.

Above Cordoba on the left is Las Ermitas, in an area known as a retreat for hermits since the Middle Ages

As usual, Barry spares the brakes on the descent. It's a fast ride down on a steeper grade than the way up.

Almost home, in Jardines de la Agricultura

At the end there's an extended search for gelato, riding hither and yon on cobblestones. The first three places we try are closed for the season. A fourth is open but only serves ice cream in the summer.

Up and down the lanes on the hunt for gelato

Then Barry spies a place that Google Maps doesn't know about. Success!

New flavor - Tarta de la Abuela, based on the "Grandma cake" made with chocolate, pastry cream and cinnamon. Winner.

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Today: 31 miles, 2821 feet of ascent

For the tour: 948 miles, 61,843 feet of ascent

Today's ride: 31 miles (50 km)
Total: 948 miles (1,526 km)

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