Chronicle 11/11/07 - Monsanto

I arrived at 8:25 , Jorge Kings and Martinasio were already there all kitted out and ready to roll. Jose Old Lady arrived at 8:30 (yes, on time this time!). Last to arrive was Manuel Roses on his first ride with the group. After presenting Manuel to the rest of the guys, off we went. 8:45

We started on the usual route down to Bairro da Serafina, the gents were ‘on fire’ as we pedaled up toward Pedreira da Serafina. In tight formation, we cruised past Pedreira toward the climb up Encosta da Serra sand road that winds up for about 3kms to Cruz das Oliveiras. Jorge cruised ahead of the rest of us on the climb, Martinasio and Jose went at a steady pace … slowly but surely. I stayed behind to encourage Manuel on this grueling climb, if you can do this climb then you can do any climb in Monsanto. We paused for a short break at the parking lot by the restaurant near Cruz das Oliveiras roundabout when we realised that Manuel did not bring any water. Fortunately Monsanto has many water fountains scatted along the routes for thirsty athletes.

Off we went again, over the A5 toward the amphitheater. Manuel’s chain came off on one of the single tracks in this area and we lost the other riders at this point. A quick mobile call and we were back on track. Off toward Montes Claros we sped, and past Chimarrao restaurant onto the tricky little sand road behind the restaurant. “Careful with the loose sand at the end” I warned Manuel as I recalled one of the spots where I earned my ‘Falls’ surname. No casualties thank goodness.

Back to the other side of the A5 we cruised, pausing at the radio controlled car track for a snack. We then tackled the S-climbs up to Estrada de Monsanto followed by the single track that goes to the soccer field, and then the highly technical tracks that go from the Luneta restaurant down to Bairro da Boavista. From there we headed to Vila Guine picnic park and then snaked alongside the road up toward the Monsanto shooting range where we went into a single track that was new to me. We ended up alongside the aqueduct and headed back toward Serafina parking.

End of round one. Manuel decided to call it a day. Martinasio was in doubt whether he should continue but with Chaparros 70 km a week away he was convinced he needed more km’s in the legs.

So off the four of us went straight into a climb and then some new single tracks recently discovered by Jorge. It was here that we lost Martinasio, Jose and I back tracked looking for him but he was nowhere to be seen. Jose phoned Martinasio and we discovered he had taken a wrong turn and decided to head for the car park. Jorge was also running late and also left soon after that. So Jose and I headed for the tar road that climbs up to the PT tower and then at high speed down the Encosta da Serra road (where I also earned my ‘Falls’ surname). We were cruising toward Pedreira when Jose snapped his chain on a short climb. With Danyboy absent that day and hence no tools on hand to fix the chain we walked back to the car from there.

All in all it was about 30kms done over 3 hours.

Cheers,
Tony Falls