First day riding

The big day arrives when we see if all the planning, pouring over maps, working out distances, back and forth emails to bikes Iberia can result in actual peddling. 

We woke early and had all the things going into the panniers packed into some stripey bags bought in Goulburn before we’ve left. We had posted our packs and extra clothes to Santiago the previous day. 

We took an Uber to the transport company that unfortunately was located about 10 km out of Seville in the opposite direction to what we needed. With the heat rising it was a little demoralising to be heading that way knowing we then had to back track to our starting point.

We got our bikes easily enough and then went thru the process of assembling the bits and pieces of panniers, helmets, tools kits and locks. 45 minutes later we were on our way. The mismatch of helmets worth about 5 Euros new is another story. 

The first part of the trip was through industry and dirt tracks until we hit the outer suburbs of Seville. For population density comparison European cities aren’t as spread out as Australian. 

In bike friendly Spain we were soon on the dedicated green cycle way that would take us the 20 km through Seville and out the other side. 

On route we stopped at Plaza de Espana. For waters stop and ice creams for some (Grace & Greg) Continuing along and getting hungry we followed the Guadalquivir river that runs through Seville. This is the same river that Christopher Columbus left Seville non 400 years ago to discover Americas. 

We pressed on after a quick bite to eat passing through pretty Seville and now bouncing out the other side through the ugly thou necessary industry. 

Our destination for the night was a Santiponce and Italkica just 11km out of Seville making for a 24 km day. 

This area is an archeological site made famous as the birthplace of 3 Roman emperor’s, the most famous being Hadrian who built a wall in England so popular it seems that everyone started doing it. Actually, the Chinese were problems a thousand years ahead of him. It was originally our intention to visit this area however it was just too hot and the site is now locked up. 

After booking in, sorting our clothes, adjusting our bikes a bit and just stopping for a moment we were ready for a beer, then another beer and another beer.

All up and despite the 36 degrees it was a successful first day non the e-bikes.

Tomorrow is from Italica  to Castiblanco de los Arroyos which is about 30 km.