Cycle from Cocentaina to Valencia.

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We visited the natural spring at Montanejos before setting off. A big climb at first of course, then an easier run into Segorbe.

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A breakfast of porridge saw us off on today's ride to Montanejos. After a short descent we had a tough climb before our coffee stop at Mosqeruela. A super long descent to Villahermosa del Río was followed by a tough climb before undulating roads took us to our destination at Montenejos.

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After a descent from La Serratella we began a 21km climb to Ares del Maestre which became very steep for the last 5kms or so. Lunch was a picnic at the roadside. Our accommodation was a large house in the village of Iglesuela del Cid. We had a few beers waiting for a shop to open then bought some wine and provisions for breakfast next morning. Our tapas meal in the evening was excellent with bread, 4 different dishes, wine and coffee at an excellent price.

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Setting from Vinarós, flat at first following the EV8. We soon started climbing though. A drinks break at La Cervera del Maestrat then lunch at a lovely village, San Mateu. A very stiff climb took us to our accommodation and a very nice meal.

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After a make do breakfast we set off again, uphill of course. The route became 'interesting' as we tried to avoid the main road, descending into rough gravel and then impenetrable undergrowth, necessitating a redirection. Nevertheless, a nice coffee stop at Vallivana and a good lunch at Cervera del Maestrat saw us on to our destination at Vinarós, with a grand buffet meal including free wine.

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Vilarluengo to Morella. The climbing started immediately and didn't relent much all day making for a tough ride. A huge bocadillo at Todolella helped a bit. Disaster at Morella when we found there was no restaurant but the house owner took Marjorie to a supermarket to buy provisions. The al fresco evening meal turned out to be very enjoyable.

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Allepuz to Vilarluengo. Spectacular ride, hilly but fantastic scenery. Coffee in Fortenete. We needed jackets for the long descents as it was a bit chilly. An excellent meal and an excellent breakfast. The hotel was very busy with motorcyclists.

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An early start from Teruel after a reasonable breakfast. A lot of climbing at 1,700 metres in 80kms. A brief stop for water in Formiche Alto, then a bocadillo for lunch in Alcalá de la Selva. A cold beer at the hotel was very welcome. We went to a small bar in the village for more beer before dinner. Dinner was ok, but a bit too fancy for hungry cyclists. Breakfast was a bit disorganised.

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Breakfast was a bit scanty, toast, coffee and juice. We hadn't gone far before yet another puncture but at least we found the culprit. Lunch at La Puebla del Valverde in a petrol station shop. Before that we had to divert off the Via Verde as one section was closed. A big climb after lunch followed by a spectacular descent through Vallacloche and Cubla to Teruel. A great meal at a tapas bar in Teruel fed us well.

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After a very long climb, at the bottom of which we fell off the tandem, we got to Jerica after first detouring Navajas to bag a municipality. The climbing continued through Viver and on to Baracas, we had lunch. The Ojos Negros Via Verde then to took us to our hotel at Albentosa. although we had to negotiate major road works on foot. On arriving at the hotel we found yet another flat tyre. A really good dinner at a reasonable price.

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We set off from Valencia after a good breakfast. Couldn't find a bar open in Betera so bought snacks and drinks from a supermarket. A road which RWGPS said was paved turned out to be very rough gravel which we had to walk some sections. Soon after we had very welcome cold drinks at Olocau. A very tough climb followed, made even harder by two rear punctures after the village of Gatova. We made it to Segorbe before the rain came. The hotel restaurant wasn't open so we had a nice meal in Segorbe at Bar La Vuelta. Breakfast was taken in another hotel.

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Cycled from Cocentaina to Valencia, 129kms. Stopped at Bellus for a sandwich and drink, then continued through Xativa. A new football field built at the start of the Via Verde in Xativa forced a slight diversión. Another stop in Alzira then a headwind bash towards Valencia. An ice-cream and cold drink in Amussafes refreshed us for the last leg. A great bike path took us from Alzira almost to the hotel in Valencia. Unfortunately two of our group had left their passports in Cocentaina so we had to arrange someone to collect them. Very limited menú for dinner, so we had pizza. Shaun and Julie came with the missing passports and also took a bike box with them to be returned in 2 weeks.