Beautiful day on the road from hell

  Alas, sunshine!  After a classic breakfast, at a pleasant outdoor cafe, consisting of eggs, sausage, toast, coffee and freshly squeezed OJ, I hopped aboard and started pedaling east north east out of Estepona. With only thirty miles to Fuengirola and the sun shining, I assumed an easy ride.  Not!
A7 was the only Road with a smattering of short service roads .  Being Friday, the traffic was heavier than yesterday and the speed higher. The Spanish drivers are considerate but the ride was still a ride I would have preferred to avoid. In desperation, I found a modest sidewalk cluttered up with light poles behind the guard rails. My speed plummeted.  With twenty-three kilometers to go, a fellow biker happened along.  A Venezuelan-Spanish guy, Roberto Hernandez, twenty-three, was riding the coast as I was.  Biking with two or more riders, the drivers afford you more respect and a wider berth. We got back on the highway and blasted off down the road.  With both our flashing rear lights lit, along with my orange helmet and horizontal flag,
we had the traffics attention.  We covered the remaining stretch in a flash.  We stopped for lunch in Fuengirola and both agreed that Southeast Asia would be a good trip to take together. We exchanged information. Roberto split for Malaga and I for my hotel just down the road.  Now friends on Facebook, we can discuss the trip in more detail, Vietnam and Laos are my primary focus.
       I arrived at my hotel ‘El Cid’ and once again was pleased with the set up. With a balcony, no less, I was able to air out my riding gloves, shoes and riding gear.  Sweat is an unavoidable byproduct of cycling and the consequence being my gear acquires a fragrant afluvium (sp).  A washing machine and drier are a luxury and washing the clothes in the sink or shower is only a stop gap.   After a nap and shower, I wondered around town and stopped an eatery for some vino tintos and tapas.  The good news is that Roberto got back to me via Messenger and informed me that the ride to Malaga is a cake walk.  But then again there is a 80% chance of rain. 😳  I will spend two nights in Malaga; everyone raves about the place.