Raining, cats and a dog - My experience riding the Goats, Portugal
The beautiful landscape of the Serra da Estrela Natural park by Andrew Hatton Day 1: Covilhã to Castelo Novo 192.54 km 2,516 m of elevation It was raining. At 1,550 metres elevation, in the heart of Portugal's Serra da Estrela Natural Park, some "weather" was perhaps to be expected. After all, this is a location that boasts winter skiing. The foyer of the Luna Hotel in Serra da Estrela is full of black-and-white photos of people having fun in the snow, while ancient-looking wooden skis grace the walls. Leaving the warm embrace of the Luna Hotel that Sunday October morning was difficult. But I had prepared well. Something inside my head earlier that week had persuaded me to bring two pairs of gloves (the second pair being my thick winter gloves), overshoes, and even waterproof socks. And my trusty Gore-Tex jacket had fended off many a Welsh downpour. A bit of rain wasn't going to stop me from enjoying myself. About the Goats The Goats is a 740 km unsupported bike-pa...