It Ain't Over 'till It's Over

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In February 2023 Plum and I had our first ever DNF (Did Not Finish).  5 days into a 2 week ride from Lisbon to Valencia we were hit by a freak cold front that promised sub-zero temperatures and a pretty miserable time; so, like the hardened cyclists we are, we got a train to Madrid and flew home with our tails between our legs.

 

We now find ourselves with the time and inclination to do a bit of cycling so are heading back to Lisbon to put things right.  The weather in early November may still be pants but hopefully just cool or wet rather than 'freezing the balls of a brass monkey'.

 

This will be our 2nd flight to Lisbon this year, and actually my 4th!,.  The airport there has acquired a reputation for long queues for Brits at passport control.  Now the EU has rolled out Phase 1 of its new electronic travel authorisation programme, which requires people to provide biometric data (photo, fingerprints, stool sample…the usual stuff) on their first entry to the EU.  We are prepared for this and have camp beds, a primus stove and a week's queuing rations in our hand luggage.  Once through boarder control we will shave our beards, build the bikes and get straight on the road.  2 weeks later we should roll into Valencia with our reputations restored.  

 

A key difference for this trip is that we have now secured financial backing.  Our sponsor supports us with about £1000/month each to pay for cycling trips and the associated sports recovery drinks.    We are working on getting their logo printed on our jerseys but, in the meantime, here is our contractual plug for them:

 

 

I am currently on the train to Gatwick while Neil is doing battle with the Fridy evening rush hour.  Once there we will follow our well-honed routine: a night at the Premier Inn with their excellent mixed grill and a Guinness or three, a 2nd mixed grill at tomorrow morning's breakfast buffet then a 5 minute walk to check-in.  

 

I promise to try not to moan too much about life in Iberia: the lateness of dinner, the lack of eggs at breakfast and the generally woeful state of their brewing industry…but don't hold your breath!

 

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