10, 11 September 2024
Day 3 – Caminha to Baiona – 39 kms
We started the day by riding a short distance to a very small boat that was going to carry us across the Minho river into Spain. 6 riders and 6 bikes per trip. Did I mention it was a small boat?
Half way across we came to a stop. Some concern from the skipper and all caught on camera by Peter, former US Coastguard skipper.
After moving our watches forward an hour, we started cycling to Baiona. More cycling along the coast some on bikeways, some on the road.
We eventually arrived in Baiona where there is a replica of the Pinta, one of the 3 ships in Christopher Columbus‘s fleet.
The Pinta returned to Baiona in 1493 making the port the first to hear of the discovery of America. We spent the night in a castle – a first for us.
Day 4 – Baiona to Pontevedra – 65 kms
Today we were warned that we would do some climbing, but first we rode beside the bay on a mix of bikeways and quiet roads.
We had a morning tea stop in Vigo an old city with a large car free square.
After leaving Vigo we had our first big climb and then followed the path for some beautiful views over Vigo Bay for 9 kms.
There was a steep downhill, then we rode into Redondela for lunch.
After lunch we had some nice riding through forests which kept us cool. There was one last climb of 3 kms towards the end of the day before we arrived at our equally impressive accomodation in the Baron’s Casa.
We finished the day with a walk around Pontevedra with a local guide.
