Behind the mountians

 

 Todays ride was fun. I hooked up with a new friend Steve and we headed out about 8am before the heat of the day set in. The plan was to ride a loop ive done before which took us along the coast, turning left towards the mountian pass, then left past Kaplica, and back across the mountians to the plain ane back. We set off at a medium pace and it was really good to ride with somebody instead of alone for once. Chatting as we rode we were soon climbing towards the northern coast.

The climb here is relatively easy, although it does drag a bit in places. The roads are all perfect riding surfaces and there is as usual here almost zero traffic. The downhill from the top of the climb is great fun, fast, safe with the benefit of some lovely views down to the coastline as you descend.



 I wanted to ride this loop anti clockwise as I knew the wind would pick up later in the ride from the south west, and I wanted it with us on the final quarter of the ride. The wind on the northern shore is usually nothing compared to the gusts possible on the messaoria plain.



 Along the coastal road there was a cooling breeze, just the job really. We stopped to get some water and take a break, before making the climb back across.

 





Both climbs on this loop are relativley easy, steady gradiants on top class surfaces. On the way back down I saw a sign for some caves, so not being one to miss an opportunity to get detoured up a dusty road for nothing, I did just that.










We rode off course in search of a cave. However  farmers on tractors  had been sent by cyclops to inform us that the road we were on actually didnt go anywhere, and it was 'no road , no road' to iskele. Plan B was better.

 Plan B involved sitting on a garden wall in some shade nicking fresh limes off the garden tree behind us. There is nothing as refreshing as fresh lime juice in your water bottles. We decided to follow the advice of the farmers, after all they do live here, and abandon my little detour in favor of getting back on track.

On track meant sticking to the main road where we found cold water at the Gas station before heading off on the final leg. Here the wind was a real force to be reckoned with today. It was gusting to the point where even I as a heavy rider had to be careful not to get blown across the road. Thankfully it was a cross wind and not a head wind, as the dust it was whipping up all around was 'all part of the fun'...cough!



 Reaching Iskele roundabout we turned into the wind and battled our way through the last furlong in dust storm before falling into a cool swimming pool! Job done.