Departure from Jerte started out as a nice downhill ride for a few KM. Passing the café and pool I first visited in 2014! This valley is very green, possibly due to a micro climate. One of its key outputs is cherries, but I guess I will never see that as I normally pass this area a few months after Cherry season.
Plenty of climbing and downhill featured in todays ride.
As usual, I have my phone on standby to take pictures. For those interested, I am using a Samsung S23 Ultra smartphone. Really pleased with the results. Taking a full sized SLR on a trip like this is a bit too much weight and space to manage (If you seen the pictures of the back on the back of my bike, you will undertand)
So, last time I passed this way in 2024, I had planned to take the N road towards Placencia and turn left over the hills heading south a few KM before the city. On the last trip, at the point where I took the photo above, I turned back as this was a steep hill and I was being pestered by a cloud of flies! So it was a U-turn and back to the N road and a longer route.
Today there were a few flies, but a stronger wind kept things civilised, so I was able to take on the 370m climb! Great views along the way
This is the high point for the day. 833m as also confirmed by GPS.
Not too far along from the peak, I came across this blue box consisting of a pump and some tools. I found the allen keys very useful as I was able to tighten u a loose bottle cage (need to change my Park Tool Hex set as it does not contain a key small enough for the cage! )
Attempted to use the pump to top up tyre pressure. This failed as all the pump would do is let the air out. So out came the hand pump. All is good!
Opposite this work station was a tap with clear spring water. A normal thing for this area and as locals were using the water to take home, I topped up my bottles. Another 2 Euros I need not to spend!
It never ceases to amaze me how many villages are built that cling onto the side of a mountain. This picture taken from the south of the North side of the Jerte Valley.
Its Cowes week in Spain, but just Cows on the water and not Cowes on the water !
Wilf fires have been a big issue in Spain this year. This one small and very recent. Brought under control recently as people still on site to monitor in case of re-ignition.
And finally, a few KM before the hotel, an area of man made lakes. Popular tourist area.