This time, there were plenty of trees along the way, which made the crisp, golden grass and herbs stand out against the bright and dark greens. We really love this landscape.

After climbing for a while, we started a long, beautiful descent that led us to a great swim in a reservoir. There were a lot of goats with a very stylish herdsman, whom we like to call the “cowboy”. And the swim was so nice, the water was at a perfect temperature to go in very easily.

Of course, we planned to ride for 80 or 90 kilometres again, but after 46 kilometres, we needed to call it a day. It was just too beautiful not to stay. There was a fresh watercourse (Arroyo de Guadalora) where we could dip ourselves, but better than that, just explore it. We walked in the water for a good hour, we saw frogs and many birds, luckily enough, a kingfisher, and we got a picture of what we now know is a Eurasian nuthatch. All that area is stunning, and there are a few hiking trails around.

It felt like the first wild camping spot of our trip, since we had stayed in picnic or rest areas in the previous days. Because we arrived very early, we did it all: sat on the chairs, filtered water, cooked big, and just enjoyed the place.

The only downside of the place was a big tick that Mateusz found in his hand - the biggest that bit us so far. We hope nothing happens, as he noticed it very quickly because of its huge size.

Polarsteps - If you want to see our route and more pictures of the journey!

More about this adventure on our YouTube channel 🎬🍿 and in our Ride with GPS Collection:

* Day 8 - 07.09.2025 | San Nicolás del Puerto - Arroyo de Guadalora | 46.4km, +476m

* Full Collection - up to date, and our total GPX route

Do you want to support us? We have some vouchers for you. Check them here or Buy us a Coffee ☕.

The other challenge of the route, apart from the elevation gain and the heat, has been the geography of the villages and small cities. Anytime we need to get access to a coffee to have a break or go to a supermarket, it’s on top of an extra hill to climb.

Today we started in the town called Welcome in English: Bienvenida. We followed a calm asphalt road where two main events happened. Suddenly, we noticed dozens of vultures and began to wonder why there were so many. They were flying around because there was a carcass of a dead deer, which we somehow didn’t see while we were riding. The other thing was that, unfortunately, the entire area from Bienvenida to Llerena was completely burned by a recent fire. The town was very beautiful, though.

After Llerena, on our way to the mountains, we followed the main road and did a lot of what felt like pointless climbs, up up up, followed by a lot down. There was almost no traffic, figs for snacking, and finally some trees for shade. So it wasn’t too bad.

The bad part it’s been the dead animals on the side of the road. The heat makes the smell hard to deal with, and the number of beautiful dead foxes and other animals is just heartbreaking.

We made it to our goal of the day - San Nicolás del Puerto. There’s a beautiful river beach where we could take a dip, but the sun was already getting down, so it was a bit too chilly for Renata. So half in, half out, Mateusz was all in! After that, we rolled to the picnic area, where other people stay overnight in their campers, and we were in the tent, cooled by a strong night breeze.

Polarsteps - If you want to see our route and more pictures of the journey!

More about this adventure on our YouTube channel 🎬🍿 and in our Ride with GPS Collection:

* Day 7 - 06.09.2025 | Bienvenida - San Nicolás del Puerto - 69.6km, 696m

* Full Collection - up to date, and our total GPX route

Do you want to support us? We have some vouchers for you. Check them here or Buy us a Coffee ☕.

Of course, it was already a good time for a tostada in the nearest village, Fregenal de la Sierra. We sat at the cafe for an hour just trying to decide our route for the day, and because we are in Spain, we do not need to avoid main roads just because of drivers, so main road it was for a bit.

Turns out that we were avoiding some climbing indeed, but we were not getting any shelter or shade to deal with 37 degrees. What was supposed to be a push for 80km or so ended as a short day of 55km, as we were waiting for the sun to go down.

We arrived at a small park in Bienvenida, where we set up the tent in the company of a brass band in the background.

Polarsteps - If you want to see our route and more pictures of the journey!

More about this adventure on our YouTube channel 🎬🍿 and in our Ride with GPS Collection:

* Day 6 - 05.09.2025 | Fuente de La Pitera - 55.4km, 665m

* Full Collection - up to date, and our total GPX route

Do you want to support us? We have some vouchers for you. Check them here or Buy us a Coffee ☕.

Went for a tostada as breakfast, and Renata always finds it funny how much work is left for the client. Just the bread is toasted; all the tasks related to assembling the tostada are your responsibility. At least no one can complain that the result doesn't suit their taste. We are also always fascinated by coffee served in cups that burn your fingers.

After not knowing where to go, we chose an arduous 35km journey along beautiful, small asphalt roads. And everything looks very nice, just one small detail: it was already three o’clock, and we were starting a 700m climb on a very, very hot day. But we managed, with many short breaks, saved by the shade of beautiful trees. We ended the day with 1200m of climbing in our legs, around a fountain (Fuente de La Pitera) near Fregenal de la Sierra.

We were surprised that the fountain was the most popular spot around, with lots of people coming to fill their 5L containers with fresh, delicious water. So we decided to clean ourselves, the smelly footprint, and some clothes in the morning, hoping there would be fewer people.

Tired, we cooked what was supposed to be pasta with pesto and onions, with no pasta in our bags, we used noodles instead - similar but not the same - it was equally delicious in the end.

We could hear horses running on the horizon, cows minding their business, some dogs barking around, and the water running slowly until we fell asleep.

Polarsteps - If you want to see our route and more pictures of the journey!

More about this adventure on our YouTube channel 🎬🍿 and in our Ride with GPS Collection:

* Day 5 - 04.09.2025 | Villanueva del Fresno - Fuente de La Pitera | 60.2km, +1207m

* Full Collection - up to date, and our total GPX route

Do you want to support us? We have some vouchers for you. Check them here or Buy us a Coffee ☕.

We continued along the main road, where a bus almost ran us over. At least we were in a positive mindset, since this would be the last day on the somewhat dangerous Portuguese roads, and soon we would be sharing the road with our favourite drivers: the Spanish!

It was a very hot day, so instead of visiting Monsaraz Castle from the top of the hill, we decided that riding around and swimming with it in the background counted as a visit.

At sunset time we made it to Spain! The country where we met and where we really feel good!

Since the supermarket was closed when we arrived in Villanueva del Fresno (we totally forgot it was one hour later than in Portugal), we went to a cafe-bar in the centre of the village, and fireworks and a procession suddenly began. After that, we went to a park to pitch our tent.

Polarsteps - If you want to see our route and more pictures of the journey!

More about this adventure on our YouTube channel 🎬🍿 and in our Ride with GPS Collection:

* Day 4 - 03.09.2025 | Machede - Villanueva del Fresno | 74.8km, +485m

* Full Collection - up to date, and our total GPX route

Do you want to support us? We have some vouchers for you. Check them here or Buy us a Coffee ☕.

Ride with GPS Collection:

* Day 3 - 02.09.2025 | Couço - Machede - 87.5km, +687m

* Full Collection - up to date, and our complete GPX route

and some videos on our YouTube channel.

Do you want to support us? We have some vouchers for you. Check them here or Buy us a Coffee ☕.

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In this episode, we share a bit about our departure and the first impressions and stories of being on the road again.

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us on this special moment!

* Museu do Ciclismo de Caldas da Rainha

* Presidente da Câmara de Caldas da Rainha - Vítor Marques

* Ciclolandal (special thanks to Orlando for route orientation and other logistics, and Paulo for the recording)

* Friends from Carvalhal Benfeito who supported us before and after;

* Amigos do Patareco

* Ângelo - Velophoto

* Gazeta das Caldas

* Jornal das Caldas

* New in Oeste

* Friends and Family.

Check the route in our Ride with GPS Collection:

* Day 1 | Caldas da Rainha - Porto de Muge - 70.1km, +827m

* Day 2 | Porto de Muge - Couço 56.5km, +331m

* Full Collection - up to date, and our total GPX route

Polarsteps - If you want to see our route and more pictures of the journey!

Do you want to support us? We have some vouchers for you. Check them here or Buy us a Coffee ☕.