Around Alentejo; Day 1; Mon 4 March 2024, Evora to Mourao.

A road tour – first in ages – and to Portugal, a first.

A day of over eating and possibly a little too much red wine. Pleasant easy cycling so no excuse nor reason.

Flew to Lisbon then a packed train east to Evora on Sun where I met John P. Fascinating Roman ruins but seen only briefly as at night and livers to ruin…

The extent of the Roman Empire is amazing.

Anyway those vital stats:

47 miles at 13mph ! Fast !

Because it was flat- just 2,100ft of ascent and a following wind.

Max speed: 31.9mph.

Powered by the Lavradores Boutique Guesthouse breakfast:

Pretty good. Roll, muesli, cheese, yoghurt, fruit, toast, excellent coffee. No eggs tho !

Prepared my cycling kit in time honoured fashion. Threw it all over the bed then rammed it into Ella’s panniers. What I couldn’t fit in I wore.

Off to Galicio Bike where I’d booked a gravel bike for the 5 days for just €150.

Lots of faffing around while they fitted a pannier rack, my saddle ( Brooks obvs for bottom comfort), Garmin, ‘phone holder pedals etc and eventually off around 11.00.

Quite grey, cold and drizzly at first not the 20C, sun and blue skies etc John promised.

And the miles rolled by…

Empty roads.

Then on a great cycle track.

Which took us to Reuengos de Monsaraz. This, unlike the other villages we’d been through, was quite busy; a 3 horse town not a 1 horse one.

We found a little café and had the dish of the day; cod with potatoes in olive oil and lots of garlic. Bread and olives to start. Half a litre of surprisingly good vino collapso…

Excellent ! Nice place too.

Then the sun came out and the cycling was great, mainly along dirt tracks (classified roads here) with no traffic.

The miles rolled by, helped by the red wine. A few goats, cattle or sheep in the fields, not a person to be seen.

Idyllic cycling, lots of birdsong, and then in the distance our destination.

We picked up speed to outrun that rain cloud.

Into Mourao and some faffing to find the Casa Esquivel but eventually…

Thankfully did not have to push bikes up those stairs.

View from the guesthouse.

Off up to the castle for the setting sun over the lakes:

The castle sadly was shut but we walked around the walls. Just 5 miles from the Spanish border here.

After the Moors were kicked out the castle was renovated in 1296 (!)

Great chimneys:

This town is very quiet. Eventually found somewhere to eat. We thought we were ordering tapas but the waitress explained the prawn stew was for two…

More like for four not two. We did our best.

And a good bottle of wine.

The day just got better and better. Southwards tomorrow .