Day 8 Sacedon - Barahona

Was a late start today simply because it took ages to get breakfast from the Restaurant at the Camp Site. Which of course was Tomato & Toast. I've taken for tasking for 2x now so its at least semi substantial!

Barahona was my target today. But the roads were so up and down. Had a great start but it was taking it out of me and the bike. Had a couple of huge climbs as well. I might as well be at the Pyranese already! Despite heading for the northern region of Spain, the temperatures heated up and I was feeling it today.

The sweeping landscapes and the lakes were fantastic. Though the roads had me cycling right the way round them, and at one point I was heading South! I dont want to go south! There was some real stop for pictures moments!

Being September 11th today, and having had friends in New York during the time of the 9/11 attacks. I never knew anyone personally, but humans caused 9/11 and as a result of that, it should never be forgotton. At 2.45pm local time. Stuck the breaks on for a one minute stop. This marked the time the first plane went into the tower.

As early evening rolled on, I got a puncture! The

first one! No problem, and at least it was the front wheel, which is the easiest to change. Got the tube changed. Then less than an hour later.. Another one! Same wheel! I had triple checked the tyre and the rim for any foreign objects to cause that puncture and pulled a nasty spikey thing out. By the way, its not fun changing a tube in the baking heat with flies attacking you all the time. Why do flies want to fly in my ear all the time? Whats so good about my ears?!!!

The second puncture did put me behind. Time was waring on and without much sleep last night, fatigue was kicking in. Cycling through the middle of nowhere for most of the day didnt present me with anywhere really to stop for proper food. Lunch was sitting behind a petrol station with a petrol station sandwich and shake. The rest was my own nibbles on route.

My 100km for the day finished in Siguenza which is a fairly decent town. But if I reached Barahona, that puts Pamplona 230km away. Knackered and eating nuts and mint cake to keep me going, I trundled it to Barahona. The roads were not kind! There was a huge climb up to Barahona by the end as well. Which gave a fantastic view!

Checking the GPS, and Google Maps yielded zero campsites and zero hotels anywhere around the area of Barahona. I passed hotels 30km ago in Siguenza. It was another 25km to the next town and the sun was setting. Another hour I'd have had lights on and night gear on. Something I wish to avoid. So tonight, a wild camp with no dinner. Just cakes and crisps to replenish the energy levels. But at least I had made it to Barahona. Not only that, I've crossed another state boundry. Castillo de la Mancha is conquered, and now im in Castilla y Leon!

Then... and I'm honestly starting to think there must be a god. Im cycling out of Barahona and what I do a see? "Bar - Hostal" with two dodgy guys sat outside. Tiny place it was. I actually cycled past, and then it hit me afterwards. "Woah that was a hostal!" So spun round and went back to it. Got myself a room, a shower and some dinner. Amazing!

An interesting place, this town is tiny. There was no one else here. Got showered, then went down into the little bar. Asked the guy if there was dinner. He said, yes in 10 minutes. The Real Madrid football game was finishing on the TV! So sat had a coke and watched the end of that with them! Then went through to the restaurant bit, where there was no one else. And he cooked me Pork chop and chips, after a russian salad.

Having only 45 euros cash on me, I was little worried that I might come up short. This place is in the middle of nowhere. These guys arent going to accept credit cards. No sign of a machine behind the bar. The guy was also writing out the reciepts for people by hand. Amazingly the total bill, including dinner and the room, was 45 euros! The fact I had two punctures and slipping gears today is nothing compared to the good luck I have had!!

The guy wished me a good journey and I headed off up to bed.

What was a little hard tonight, is that this is the first evening with zero mobile signal. Hence why this update is late. There was no hiding behind a phone sat in the bar or restaurant by myself. A real test of confidence required tonight! Plus getting online, getting on Facebook etc is my fresh air from the solitude that is travelling all this way on the road. Plus its always unnerving when theres no mobile signal and Im cut off from the world! Im really starting to wish I hadnt watched the Hostal movies!

Legs are feeling fine, but my lips are dry after those battering winds the other day. I never thought to take any lip balm. But will look for some once Im in pamplona. Also on my lower back I've been feeling some irritation for a couple of days now. Had a chance to look in a mirror at it, and wooooah! Red raw or what!! I think the cycling shorts have obviously been rubbing. So treating that with plenty of sudacreme and hopefully can get it under control once I have a rest day in Pamplona.

Todays stats
Start	Sacedon.10:35
End	Barahona.20:30
Saddle Time	6 hr 31 min 02 sec.
Distance travelled	130.05km
Average Speed	19.9kph
Max speed	54.9km