#8 Coculi and Boca de Ambas as Ribeiras

These are short rides, but anytime you are on a road going inland, you are going uphill – Coculi 6kms.  From there, you have a choice of two roads, both 4kms, for total of 10 outbound.  One goes to Boca de Ambas as Ribeiras, the other to Cha de Pedras.  The return ride is fun, as it is pretty much all downhill

On the bike, the seat post is made from carbon composite and has a sort of “leaf suspension” design, although this is more effective for lager bumps. 

The bike frame is titanium, which is considered one of the better materials for absorbing vibrations. 

The frame geometry is also designed for cushioning vibrations, while remaining stiff laterally.  It does that by flattening the tubes transversely to the frame axis.  You can see it below, with the wheels and crankset off. 

There was a fair number of tourists hiking along the roads, and a few riders.  Palm tree and lots of banana trees in cultivation – and, I think, breadfruit.

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#7 Coast road to Ponta do Sol

 

The inland roads are two-lane and typically end at the end of a steep valley.  Beyond that, they turn into single-lane, steep access road or donkey trails – popular for hiking.  Ponta do Sol is only 4 kms out, but has some very steep sections.  All except the asphalt road to Xoxo are cobblestone, which are not bad if you have low-pressure tires on your bike to smooth out the ride. 

This is where my 42mm tubeless tires earn their keep.  The tires did not fit in the wheel recess in the bike box, so had to take them off, wash out all remaining sealant, and, of course, reinstall here.  This was my first time, and it went well – I swiped the tire bead with soapy water first to help get them seated.

My pump has a high pressure storage chamber to blast the tire into the rim.  Works as advertised – after a few very loud pops, the tires were properly seated.  After that, just release the air to allow injection of the sealant liquid through the valve stem (after valve core removal). 

Pump back up to 50-60 psi and shake the wheel to get the sealant liquid into any potentially leaking spots (tires do not hold pressure for long without the sealant inside).  Let sit for awhile and then reduce pressure to 20-30 psi, depending on type of surface to be ridden and rider weight.  With the 42mm tubeless tires, I could probably go down to 16 psi on the really rough stuff without risking the tire “burping”. 

Abandoned airport at Ponta do Sol – service stopped some 15 years go.  A plane was diverted due to foggy conditions, but crashed into a nearby mountain – tragic story. 

The rear wheel, with the new cassette, that goes up to 40 teeth – still not enough for some of the back roads here. 

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#6 City of Ribeira Grande

 

My Airbnb on the fourth floor ($54 C/n) – balcony is the living room, window to the left is the kitchen, next window to left is bedroom (one of two).  Stairs only, no elevator – a very nice place.  The beginning of the old mountain road…

Many of the men here are employed in residential and other building construction.  There is really a lot of construction going on, including multi-story buildings.

Also, there are many drivers with mini-vans and pickup trucks, whose business is transporting both tourists as well as locals. 

Women are mostly employed in retail sales – small grocery stores, as well as clothing and accessories stores. 

There are also street vendors of local produce – bananas, vegetables, potatoes.  A small street market has fresh fish and other seafood, and there are stalls selling dresses, sunglasses and jewelry.

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#5 Hiking on the old Mountain Road..

 

Hiking the old mountain road - this is the old main road to the port city of Porto Novo.

I don't think I could ride up this one even if it were asphalt – the grade is not super steep, and only a few kms, but it is just so looong...

But, next time I plan to take a ride up, and do more hiking at the top near Corda.

No water taps on the road, but there is a small restaurant near Corda.  

The road levels off near the top, but continues to go up-and-down a bit all the way to Corda.  After that, there is a very long descent into Porto Novo, in the south-east of the Island, where the ferry terminus is. 

  

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#4 First short bike ride to Xoxo..

 

After assembling the bike, the ride to Xoxo was the perfect little test, to see that it is working ok.

Xoxo is a popular tourist spot, and I can see why.  Can’t say there were many tourists though – or much of any traffic at all.

Most roads outside of town have very little traffic. 

The Costal road has some narrow passages, as it was hewn out of the costal cliffs, which I did not like... 

And, the road to Xoxo is the only one on the Island with smooth asphalt tarmac.  

  

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#3 Crazy road from the ferry terminal to Ribeira Grande

 

Temperatures vary a lot, depending on altitude – mountainous island.  Ribeira Grande is sea level, so should be on the warmer side. 

WIKIPEDIA:  Ribeira Grande was the largest town on the island of Santo Antao, and became a city in 2010, with a population of 2564.

It is situated in the northeasten part of the island, near the outflow of the river Ribeira Grande and its tributary, Ribeira da Torre, into the Atlantic Ocean. 

January looks to be the height of the tourist season here. 

 

This is a heavily eroded volcanic island - the southern two thirds are pretty much all barren volcanic rock.  The northern third gets a lot of rain in September, which it why it is green.  

  

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#2 Ferry to Santo Antao Island...

A picture of the ferry port in Mindelo city, Sao Vicente Island.  Sao Vicente is where the airport is – flew in from Amsterdam and had to take a night in the hotel here to catch the ferry to Santo Antao Island the next day. 

A look back at Mindelo from the ferry port, at boarding time. 

Ferry ride from Mindelo to Porta Novo (Santa Antao Island).  Only one hour, but quite scenic.  The ferry rolled quite a bit in the waves - difficult to walk and take pictures. 

Santo Antao Island in the distance.... 

Santa Antao does not have a functioning airport, although an old, disused runway remains in Ponta do Sol at the northern tip. 

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

#1 Bromont indoor Velodrome and Cape Verde...

Late in December, I flew to Cape Verde  - a very long trip.

But, first, I passed the autumn at an AirB&B about 20 kms from the Bromont indoor Velodrome, about 120 kms from my home in Montreal.  I arrived there on October 12^th, and the Velodrome did not open until early November.  It is worthwhile to stay here because of the nice county roads and, near to the Velodrome, AirB&B prices are very high - easily double or triple what I was paying.  My AirB&B..

First gravel ride this morning.  Circuit is only 21K, but lots of climbing.  The perfect training circuit – no traffic at all. 

There are some houses along much of the route, so danger from hunters does not seem that great. Much of it is actually hard packed dirt, quite smooth, with a bit of gravel between the tire tracks. A few sections where they laid down new gravel more recently, but not “Thick and loose”.

Great scenery, of course.  My old buddy, Yves Nadeau...

Photos belong to Jaro Franta