Day 30: Chinchon to Alcazar - "the southerly wind"

After a "photo shoot' in the square in Chinchon we set off in high spirits. The day was cloudy and the wind was starting to get up , normally I would welcome a southerly wind - unless you are biking south .

After about half an hour Jess who was riding the white Condir bike which has been christened Barbie, had a puncture, the only problem was we were on a massive decent so she was up the hill and we were down it . Luckily we were able to call Billy in the van who came to the rescue and brought Jess and Barbie to us and I had the luxury of mending it on the table from the van !

We then had a big climb with the wind straight in our faces , and it continued to blow like that for the rest of the day .

Today was the only day we have had where there was any time pressure to finish, due to James Jess and Emma needing to get a train to the airport. So 64 miles into the wind meant we had to ride in a tight peloton .

Well done to Emma and Katie as this was their biggest bike ride - chapeau!

Alcazar looks to be less than interesting, since we have a rest day tomorrow we are planning to go to Toledo.

So a hard day , and a sad day to be saying goodbye to James and Jess who have been with us since St Jean Pied de Port - they have ridden 450 miles , and sad to see Katie,Sam Emma and Dom leave as well .

So this journey continues , a journey that seems to touch anyone and everyone involved , a journey I feel so privileged to be undertaking .