November 2, 2024
November 2, 2024 - Navalmoral de la Mata to Torrijos
Quiet day with a short easterly train ride
Hotel El Mesón, Calle del Puente, 19, 45500 Torrijos, Toledo, España,
Toledo, State-Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, 45500 Torrijos, Spain
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THOUGH we have been enjoying the tour, it was nice to have a day without having to get up and go or have to worry about checking out of a hotel hours before train time. Instead, we slept in before joining our hosts for a great time of breakfast and conversation followed shortly afterward by a walk to the street markets.I found them reminiscent of the wares available in the souks of Morocco in their displayed wares and urging of customers to buy. The morning weather was sunny and warm so the walk did us good.
Back at the house. we had a siesta before lunch which was cocido, a traditional Spanish stew based on chick peas and local meats. It was absolutely amazing with so much delicious flavour. Then after a short siesta, Alex and I packed up our bags and brought them downstairs for the inevitable and sad farewell. Anyone who knows me realizes that I am not great at farewells as I am a nostalgic kind of person. It has been such a great visit with our friends that to have to say good-bye brings me great sadness. Pilar and Miguel, thank you so much for your hospitality and kindness and most especially for your friendship. We will all return in the future.
With the bikes packed up and ready to go, we rolled down the hill toward the town centre. Despite knowing the way, I got myself turned around a bit because there were so many one way streets. Our riding brought us through much of the centre and then eventually we made our way to the RENFE train station where we waited for our train. I took this available time to pull out my tools to work on the bikes, making sure brakes were working, stretched cables were adjusted and even wiped off some of the road grime. Back home my rides are on fairly flat terrain and not in the rain so there is not much braking or gear changing (which leads to stretched cables which need to be adjusted) and there is no dirty road spray from mucky and rainy riding. I'll see tomorrow if the adjustments make an improvement.
The train was a few minutes early which gave us plenty of time to board, though we are experts by now. We know where the bike hooks are found and where our seats are located. The journey would be just over an hour so we decided to take our seats rather than stand the whole time with our bikes. Data coverage kicked out a few times, but I was able to look up a few logistical things about Torrijos. About twenty minutes before arrival we took down the bikes, loaded on the bags, and waited by the doors for our stop. The sun had set and it was dark when we arrived but I knew our hotel was fairly close to the station and within walking distance, so walk we did. The traffic was fairly busy so we did not want to be invisible and cycling.
Though not too expensive, the hotel was newish and very nice. The staff were very friendly and helpful and were fine with us bringing our bikes on the elevator up to our room. Both of us a bit hungry, we immediately went off in search of something to eat. The first place (restaurant/bar) offered treaditional foods but woud not be serving until 830 pm. Too late for me. Just down the street was a highly rated local hamburger place where I was hoping for a Spanish version of their hamburguesa. It was just 'ok'. But certainly so filling that we did not finish everything.
Though full, of course, we had left room for dessert and went searching. A litttle convenience store we found was run by a fellow named Carlos. Originally from Venezuela, he had lived in the US for a while but then married a Spanish woman so has been in Torrijos for twenty years. His friend from Honduras (now Virginia, US) was thrilled to meet a couple of Canadian cyclists and praised me for my faltering Spanish. We chatted about Canada, US, the crazy upcoming election, and then we were on our way back to our hotel, pleased that we had met these very friendly people. I see this every time I travel - for the vast majority, people are very good and friendly despite backgrounds and differing opinions.
We cleaned some of our clothes before just crashing. Alex has been studying some crafts he wants to attempt when home, so as many of us do, he is researching on youtube to get familiar with the un tasks he will face once home. On the other hand, I tried to watch some cycle repair videos but fell fully asleep within fifteen minutes.
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Today's ride: 5 km (3 miles)
Total: 308 km (191 miles)
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