Porto to Agueda (58 miles; 435 total)

 After a rest day, we both had life in our legs. The exit from Porto was about 85% downhill, rough street surfaces, and lots of traffic. Once we cleared Porto's suburbs, we enjoyed a light tail wind, bike lanes on the many roads, or separated bike lanes. That didn't mean smooth surfaces, and there were lots of patches, cracks, and bulges in the surface from tree roots. Overall very pleasant riding, mostly south down the Atlantic coast, then southeast to Agueda. 

Hotels in large European cities are often not obvious. Reception is via the red door and all rooms are access by the door to the right, leading to the elevator with rooms on multiple floors.


Serene Departure. Porto, looking northwest from the upper level of the pedestrian/cyclist/metro rail bridge.


Team memorial to a former athlete.


Many miles of separate bike paths along the Portuguese Coast.


Miles of board walks over the beach sand and among tall reeds.



Dog of the Day #1. Sitting outside the Lidl Store, the dog kept placing a paw on the owner's arm, and then they would hold hands. Very sweet dog.


Several miles of winding boardwalks among the tall reeds and grasses.

Dog of the Day #2. Extremely well trained, entirely without a leash, every time the woman owner got up, the dog followed at her side. She had a bike and trailer for the dog parked nearby.

More Fun with Flats. John has had at least 3 stops for flats, and nearly every time the first tube he installs fails, forcing a second change. Here he is looking for a missing tire lever.


Our Agueda Hotel. Extremely well geared to Camino walkers and cyclists. John and I have a normal twin room with private bath, but the hotel also offer rooms with bunk beds dorm style, shared shower facilities, clotheslines, outside laundry sinks, lounge, kitchen, breakfast room, and outside picnic area. Since Camino walkers/pilgrims (at least 6 here tonight) don't want to walk to a restaurant, they have an arrangement for meal delivery with a local restaurant. Orders in by 6 pm are delivered at no charge at 7:30 pm. 


Hotel Owner's Bike in Reception.

Sign for Nancy.





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