4 stages down, 5 to go

Honestly, I'm exhausted and the thought of writing a blog post is the last thing on my mind.

Here's how a typical TransPortugal day goes:
Wake up really stiff, take 10 min just to get moving. Morning hygiene, apply sunscreen until you look like a mime, eat breakfast at the hotel (yum), finish getting bottles, gel etc ready then sit on your bike and pedal for 8 to 10 hours, eat a ton at the finish, shower and do laundry, clean bikes, eat dinner, prep for the next day and pass out. There is no free time and I'm only getting about 7 hours of sleep a night. Not enough really, but it'll have to do.

Day 1, 142 km. with tons of climbing and rollers.

I woke up and cursed when I remembered what was coming. The first day is the hardest day according to many. I really wasn't sure I could do it in the allowed time. I did, with 1 hour to spare.

The highlights were amazing flowers, great food at the finish line and getting to ride with Tom for the second half.

The most terrifying moment was when a huge, (imagine a street gang version of a white Newfoundlander), dog made a very aggressive a serious chase as I went by. I have never been scared of a dog to that extent.

The day was full of highs and lows for both of us. In the end it was sweet with us cruising the finish line together. Tom wasn't having a good day in general and chose to stay with me. I couldn't have finished without his support.

Day 2, 110 km. moderate climbing.

Woke up stiff and tired. Holy crap, my ass is already really sore, how the hell am I going to do this for another 8 days. Surprisingly, I started riding well and Tom was on too. So we had a sweet moment filing our packs at a water stopin a fortified villiage at the top of the hill. We kissed and he was off. I continued to ride well until I kind of fell apart at km 90. Then it was a 20 km death march. It builds character, right?

More on day 3, 4 and beyond later. Now it's time to sleep. 144 km tomorrow.

Sent from Samsung Galaxy Tab powered by T-Mobile