A hard day to Santiago de Compostela

Summary of the past 2 days:

• The last day coming into Santiago was a big effort. Near the end of the day, I was seeing spots and just grinding it out... even if that grinding was only slightly faster than a walk... or actually having to walk some sections. At the hotel, it took a long cold shower to get my body temperature down, and I light-headed for the night.
• The climbs are getting longer as roads take a valley between two mountain (not tall) ranges. This part of Spain is lovely green with bays reaching into the coastal range from the cold Atlantic. The wind can be cool. When it´s not there, the sun is blistering strong with amazing humidity. Do you like to sweat?
• The roads are better/easier in Spain. Instead of having small climbs with +10% sections that you have to walk in places, the climbs are longer and smoother. That helps rest on the downhill also. Very steep descents aren't long enough to recover before starting up again, nor can you actually relax enough to get rest.
• As soon as you cross the border, there is a marked difference in the economy. More industry and long distance trucks carrying loads. More commerce in general and on a larger scale.
• I am an official pilgrim of de compostela... and have the certificate to prove it.

Facts:

July 26/27th - Rest days in Santiago. Rain, which is light so far.

This is a fabulously beautiful city. It is also full of pilgrims from Camino de Santiago at the end their adventure looking to party. Unfortunately, the food is bad and expensive.

The Cathedral of St. James is spectacular beyond descriptions. Regardless of your religious affiliation, it is moving.

Facts:

July 25th - Gps - Pontevedra TO Santiago de Compostela

Distance - 37.39 miles/ 60.17 km

Time - 5:09 (start 10:55am)

Weather - 89 with humidity. Super HOT.

Climbs - Three long climbs with hills in between.

Difficulty - 6 distance, heat, lots of climbs...lots.

Scale: 0 = 25 miles around San Francisco with the marin headlands climb.

10 = Next to the last day of a hell week in the military with a few hours of sleep.

Hotel - Hotel Real - 45 euros with breakfast. Recommended. Spotlessly Clean, but it´s three hard-to-climb floors and without air conditioning. The city and guests can be noisy. Nice lady that runs the place works very hard to make sure your visit is good.

Comments:

A. Suffering.

B. The first climb of the day would have been enough. Steep and long. About 5 miles of up to start the day is not the optimum route. There were three long climbs with ups along the way.

C. Then, it got wildly hot and humid. The amount of sweat produced amazes. It felt like you had jump into a pool being soaked through.

• Without water discipline, you are going to be in real trouble. I am drinking 6-10 ltrs. a day, and you have to drink small amounts all day long. If you let yourself get thirsty, it is too late.

D. A lot of suffering near the end.

Facts:

July 24th - (Actual) Valenca, Portugal to Pontevedra, Spain

Distance - 34.21 miles/ 55.05 km

Time - 4:31 (start 11:06am)

Weather -80´s with a light wind.

Climbs - none.

Difficulty - 1

Scale: 0 = 25 miles around San Francisco with the marin headlands climb.

10 = Next to the last day of a hell week in the military with a few hours of sleep.

Hotel - Hotel Raus - 37 euro´s without breakfast. Recommended.

Comments:

A. Great city. Not a dead historical city. In fact, you do not see the usual postcards because business is focused on serving locals.

B. Excellent place to sit in the plaza with a beer.

C. Impressive architecture and churches.