Shuttle bus to Elvàs for start of bike trip

Met in lobby of hotel at 9:30. Everyone is here! We load onto a big bus which is taking us o the city of Elvàs about 3 hours away. Philipp rides with us and does some commentary about what we are seeing and will be doing. He also does the safety talk during the bus ride. We stopped for a delicious lunch in Estramoz. We have a buffet of small plates. It is a beautiful weather day. We look at brightly colored pottery at a stand near the restaurant. We arrive at hotel, check in and get our bikes. Kathy has her e-bike which is pretty nifty. The placement of the water bottle though generates much laughter and jokes. (See picture.) We go out for a test ride of 20 km. It is so good to see everyone! We have dinner together in Élvas. 

                                                      Élvas

                             Élvas

                                       Bike fitting with Sylvester the Chicken hitching a ride

                                  The placement of this water bottle is questionable...