stage 4 hill climb

Today we had a short day--a time trial up the side of the mountain.  It was only 12 kilometers ( 8 miles) but very steep.  After 1 km of only mild steepness the remaining 11 km were never below 8% and with sections that were 11-12%.  I just put my head down, put it in the lowest gear and pedalled hard for just under an hour.   Everyone waited at the top till all the riders were done then we rode down together in several groups.  Afterwards Priscilla and I and the other 8 in our little Granfondo Tours group ate lunch outside near the town fountain, then Priscilla and I went on a hike.  We walked around the town then up the other side of the valley for a ways, where there are lots of hiking trails.  We found a little shrine of some sort plus some chicken coops and farm buildings and an irrigation canal coursing around the side of the mountain.  Lots of pretty view but we didnt have a camera.  But that allowed us to just look and not be bothered with taking pictures.  We also watched people kayaking down the mountain stream.