It has for some time that went with the idea of using the bike pastry on a journey of some miles. Not just for being an old bike but be the means of transporting my grandparents. I wonder how it was. GPS or not to take suitable clothing, not to count on support car nor do not know how many changes to facilitate all obstacles. With the approach of the National Meeting of Ancient Bicycles in Burinhosa thought to bring the two together. So at 5:15 in the morning of the 26th cap on his head, the bag support, I became the road.
The start took place on the outskirts of the village of Louriçal village dating from the twelfth century and which has as its main tourist interest a seventeenth century convent as well as an aqueduct that brought water to this. Unfortunately it is not the best conditions and reportedly the convent will gradually losing much of its beauty for lack of funds. Not that you can see, it is an active convent of St Clare and only a privileged few can join, I think.
Well ahead. It was still night and my dynamo and headlight are just embellish. But that hour would be little danger. Only a baker or someone who left the club later. Apart from these, only bats and hedgehogs crossed me.
The first difficulty arose in the ascent to the Louriçal Knoll , which as the name indicates is a lot. With another bike would be a challenge. However with the bike pastry estimated to weigh about 20kg had to ride a good bit of walking and sweat began to want to fight the fresh breeze of the morning. A dog that resolve to pursue my legs helped. Exceeded the rise, I quickly put on the N109 just to go a few meters to the court to Carriço .
It was time for a new challenge. The road within the national forest is quite bumpy. Although the bicycle frame to absorb enough vibration and longer seems a sofa seat, is not enough to truly flooring in poor condition. Even so the bike is pastry queen in comfort! By this time the scenery changes little. Pines and more pines, either rabbit crossing the road. Fun with the path or my thoughts did not seem late when I saw the sea a little high. The path, although in poor condition, is mostly flat. A fall and saw me again involved in pine trees with the sea on my right.
Suddenly I see a pond. I think 'good, I'll stop here.' But as soon as I stop 'pond ... where the pond, I do not want to go through any pond.' It seems I was wrong and went to the pond Ervideira . Well, now was to follow for Pedrogão. The road has become very poor before you get there and it was a relief to see the national road.

Bicycle path

Now in flat floor was just rolling. The road between Pedrogão Praia da Vieira and can be dangerous for cyclists but at that early hour was still almost alone. Despite having only three changes pastry bike moves well on tar and its weight decreases in the pack-which enables to make good averages. And actually I wanted to enter the bike path that would make me feel safer. And she was there!
This bike path, if I am not mistaken, named Atlantic League Praia da Vieira S. Pedro de Moel while much of the landscape over the pine forest to plant sent by King Dinis. This is a great bike path that follows the straight road, almost empty, lined with wildflowers, stopping every few kms consisting of a bank and a map, all still in good condition. A trip is recommended.

Lighthouse

Arriving in S. Pedro de Moel chose to head towards Marinha Grande , yet to track and then cut to Burinhosa, my destiny, returning to the bumpy roads.
I reached my goal was barely 9 am. The day would be devoted to the old bike but also speak tomorrow. 60kms were easy, with pair of jeans and tshirt. The saddle old, authentic work of art in the comfort concerns dealt with the rest.

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