Day 5: Chaves to Foz de Sabor

I did not realize that the clocks changed last night in Portugal, so when i went down for breakfast at 8:30 and the temperature was just 4 degrees, i was not looking forward to riding. I brought my cold weather gear with me, and generally speaking, anything in double digits is comfortable enough, but 4 degrees is certainly not comfortable for riding.

I was covering nearly 250K today, which meant 4-5 hours of riding without any real breaks. At 10am, the temperature was at 7 degrees, but i felt that i had to hit the road. Geared up with anything i could do to stay warm, i hit the road out of Chaves and up into the mountains. As i climbed, i could tell the temperature was dropping even lower, and the first hour was a challenge, with stops every 20 minutes or so to warm up and not get buffeted with the cold air. I took advantage of the frequent stops to get lots of pictures as i went up and down from mountain ridges into the valleys.

Just above Chaves looking back at the city.

One of many great views along the ride in the early part of the day.

Another small town nestled in a green mountain valley.

I eventually descended into the town of Lampaca and refueled. When i got through town i was greeted with brand new asphalt. The road surface was perfect, and the roads were the best i have ever ridden.

Just outside Lampaca starting to climb the other side of the valley.

Early on in the climb on the brand new asphalt roads.

Where i was headed after a few more ups and downs.

This road was very popular with bikers. The road itself is fabulous, but the brand new surface made it even better.

I eventually left this spot and fell in behind another group of bikers that was climbing just as i was ready to head out. Doing my best to keep up with them was a blast. Having 1000k under my belt on this bike, i felt like i was comfortable tipping in a little harder and leaning until my boot toe was grinding. This whole section of road had 50-60K speed limits, due to the tight turns going up and down the valleys.

Strange hill top formation that caught my attention.

After the brand new road ended, my route took me southward away from the Spanish border in the north. I had been as close as 4KM according to one of the road signs, before turning south and heading toward the Northern part of the Douro valley.

There were some Autoroute miles and some highway miles with great views, but nowhere to stop and take a picture. I got to the guest house i am staying at tonight around 3:30 to find a tiny little town, completely closed up tight. Not a shop, a restaurant or a cafe was open. I hit the road to the nearest decent sized town for some take out chicken and dinner on the veranda. These are the views from the veranda at my guest house tonight.

The Douro river and vineyards in the distance from the veranda.

Another view from the guesthouse veranda.

Tomorrow my ride takes me down the Douro valley to Castelo Branco. I am hoping to arrive in time to see the castle and the roman era bridges that are still in use.