Day 7 - Alcantara to Marvao

Alcántara is a charming town renowned for its iconic Roman bridge, an architectural masterpiece featuring six symmetrical arches. Spanning 191 meters in length and approximately 70 meters in height, this historic structure stands as a testament to Roman engineering. Another notable landmark is the 16th-century San Benito Convent, which is currently undergoing restoration to preserve its historical significance.

We kicked off this morning with the classic uphill start 😊🚴‍♀️. The weather couldn't have been better—one of those crisp mornings when there's a slight chill in the air, but the clear sky hints at a warm day ahead.   The first 4-5 miles of the route took us along a straight, undulating road that stretched across what I assume are the Spanish Plains. Admittedly, it was a little monotonous (at least in my opinion), so I decided to stop and snap a picture of a tree. Because, well, why not? 😂 To pass the time, I started singing 🎶 "I can see for miles and miles…" by The Who. I briefly considered singing "The Long and Winding Road" by Paul McCartney but quickly abandoned the idea since the road was anything but winding! 😂

Lunch was delightful—a flavorful Spanish tortilla paired with a fresh salad. This afternoon, we’re heading to Marvão, a destination featured in the New York Times' iconic book, *1,000 Places to See Before You Die*. We’re excited to explore it later and see what makes it so special! 😊 

If you follow me on Strava, you probably know that hill climbing isn’t exactly my strength—it’s neither fast nor graceful—but I always make it to the top eventually! 😊 This week, I was thrilled to break into the top 10 on a climb. The incredible Kim T, who holds the No. 1 spot, was also on this ride and continues to inspire as an amazing cyclist. In the grand scheme of things, it might not be a big deal, but it feels pretty great! 😊🚴‍♀️👌

Today’s ride covered 59.7 miles (81.7 km) with an elevation gain of 4,364 ft (1,330 m). We've officially passed the halfway mark, completing approximately 368 miles (576 km) and climbing a total of 29,500 ft (8,980 m) so far. Not too shabby! 😊👌🚴‍♀️

Reaching Marvão wasn’t easy—there was a challenging 5 km climb up a steep hill 🥵. I’ve added a picture with a big blue arrow pointing to where I’ll be staying tonight. Time to explore and see if Marvão truly deserves a spot on the “1,000 Places to Visit Before You Die” list 💀😂.

Thank you for reading—wishing you a lovely evening! xx

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