Distance: 60 km Total Ascent: 2,163 metres
An HC (hors categorie) climb first thing today. Out of the hotel, then up and up and more up for 24km with gradients between 6%-11%. We summited the Torre (mainland Portugal’s highest point) at 1,195m.
The initial steep 7kms were through the town of Covilhã, then as the road continued sweeping upwards the landscape morphed from trees and green vegetation to more open rocky terrain with magnificent granite formations between the low growing shrubs and heather.
Huge kudos to all the team who put in fabulous efforts on the ascent – I was so impressed with everyone????.
Special thanks to Marjolein (driving the van today) for her moral support and Hendrick for shepherding me up the final few kilometers. I was completely cooked by the time I got to the summit and any aspirations I may have entertained to cycle other classic HCs have been severely curtailed !
I opted for the van for the remaining 36kms to our fabulous hilltop hotel where we have a rest day.
2 thoughts on “Day 30 – Covilhã to Manteigas”
Brilliant work. It tends to put into perspective what the pro cyclists do.
Thanks Brian, it certainly was a very memorable day. I probably should have bailed halfway through the climb as all the muscles in my upper back were in complete spasm. Very emotional and teary when I got to the top – a combination of relief that it was over as well a sense of achievement.
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