Truck Routes and Cycle routes
Evora and the Menhirs, 1 April 2013
What is the difference between a truck route and a cycle
route? Today we found out. We were heading from the campsite to the Menir dos Almendres and the Cromeleque dos Almendres and debating
whether or not to cycle. At 17km each way we took the easy option to drive –
which saved us from being soaked in the afternoon thunderstorm. The route on the computer had been optimised
for our Tardis as a truck and took us to the Menhirs near Evora (only 15km that
way). A quiet spot to park amidst striking cork woods. A wide variety of wild
flowers and a fragrance enhanced by the latest shower. The megaliths struggled
to command the beautiful hill top setting, as none were taller than the modest
cork trees that surrounded the clearing. In scale they did not match Stonehenge
(perhaps only the pyramids do?) and I’d say the circles at Carnac were larger
and more extensive.
Well, the truck route included 3km of un-tarmacked track.
Just as well, because we could not have got to the stones otherwise. So that
did not distinguish the cycle and car routes.
The handheld Garmin had fewer options (no Tardis Trucking)
we had “car” and “cycling” and the return route by “car” took us on the cycle
route. We took the unmade road back to Guadalupe and then right to Valverde .
No problem so far. Then we came to an amazing old long and very low aqueduct
that swept across our view and over the road. Clearly signed as 2.5m compared
with our obligatory dashboard label at 3.5m
Sat nav helped out by offering an alternative 45km route. Not
so long ago Sat new the time of day when we didn’t ; today the Satnav obviously
knew it was April 1st.
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