Day 7

After a really good night at our hotel in Tora, (many thanks to Mireia at the Tourist office in Calaf for finding this!) we set off for our final day's ride into Barcelona. Approx 20km into the ride we stopped at Calaf for a photo shoot with the ladies at the Tourist Office before setting off again.

Despite my promises that it would all be downhill there were a few hills we had to climb but they were balanced by some really good downhills!!
We all met up again at Martarell for a Tapas lunch in some lovely warm sunshine. With the roads getting busier as we got closer to Barcelona we formed a Pelaton for the final 25km. We were all wearing our B2B Blue cycle shirts and we looked the business!! As we hit the outskirts of Barcelona and started the long ride into the centre, the locals were stopping, staring and shouting out words of support. We eventually reached the Olympic Stadium for a photoshoot of the team at about 5.00pm.

We managed to fit out one of the spare bikes for Tim and found a B2B shirt for him as well. As we left the Olympic Stadium for our final 3km to the waterfront we were now 24 in number!

Finally at about 6.00pm we arrived at the waterfront and a very emotional welcome from wives, partners, friends and families.

We had covered 430 miles, climbed 6 major mountains, been forced to make three diversions, cycled through roadworks that gave us 7 punctures, had to deal with snow, sleet, heavy rain and freezing temperatures. We had seen sights that we will never see again, achieved more than we thought possible, faced up to and conquered everything that had been thrown at us.
We had discovered strength, mental and physical, to carry us through and above all we had found 22 great friends.
A huge thank you has to go to Tim, Corrine and Trudy for driving the support vans, where the word "driving" so inadequately conveys what they did for us. And to Jamie - Thanks for sowing the seeds of the challenge last July; at the time I thought it wouldn't happen. Your determination proved me wrong. What a challenge, what a result.

Day 6

Wearily we dragged our very tired bodies out of bed for a late breakfast (by our standards but early by Spanish standards)at 8.30. We all enjoyed the lie in although the rain was a bit of a depressant.
No matter, at 9.30 we set off for a glorious, fast ride, mainly downhill for 20+ miles into Tremp, where we all met up for a coffee in warm sunshine. Some of us had managed it in under an hour!
Leaving Tremp we headed for what we thought was a small Col of 13km at 4%. Near the base we stopped for a welcome picnic lunch before heading for the climb.

And what a climb it was!! It went on and on, with sections of 9%. It sapped what little energy we had left.

However the descent was a flying pleasure as we made our way to Ponts for another coffee break. As we enjoyed our coffees we could see the storm clouds gathering so we set off for Tora and our penultimate night's rest.

What a gem of a hotel we had booked ourselves into. A superb day of 125km polished off with the really good hotel. What more could we desire?

Day 5

As we prepared ourselves for the additional miles to make our way around the Portillion the hotel advised us that the road was passable by bike albeit we would have to carry them through the road works. A quick vote and we all agreed that the Portillon was a better option than the additional 30 k. We set off on a glorious sunny morning with the road to ourselves and a few lonely walkers who shouted out the occasional "Allez, Allez, Allez" in support.
An 8km climb with a few sections of 12% and we were at the top on the border with Spain. Farewell France and welcome Spain.
We all met up for coffee outside a cafe in Vielha and lunch by the river as we prepared ourselves for the 23km climb up the Puerto de la Bonaigua. Little did we know that this was on a par with some of the French Cols. It just went on and on and on with sections that were 11/12%.

The smiles of relief at the top were on everyone's faces!

However those smiles got wiped off as we made the descent. The Spanish don't close roads when they do roadworks, they leave them open and expect you to cycle through them. For three miles we had to endure the worst road conditions we had experienced ANYWHERE. Between us we had seven punctures!

Eventually we arrived in Rialp by 6.00pm where we found ourselves booked into a lovely hotel. What's more they had a television so that the football fans could watch the Champions League Final.

Day 4

Day four saw us at the top of the Tourmalet, with the promise of better weather than we had enjoyed on Day 3. We set off, carefully, on the descent as the road was still wet. By the time we got to the bottom it had dried out, just in time for our climb up the Aspin. As the sun broke through spirits were lifted particularly as the Aspin was a lot easier to climb than the Tourmalet.
After the Aspin we headed for the Peyresourde, stopping off for a really enjoyable picnic lunch on the way in beautiful sunshine.
Recharged, the climb was almost a pleasure and at the top there was a line on the road plus a road sign indicating the summit. Not ones to miss a chance we lined up across the road and took a photo of the last of the Tour de France Cols. 40 minutes later we arrived in Bagnerres de Luchon, a spa town just inside the border with Spain. A number of the group took the opportunity to visit one of the local spas. The rest off us talked to a few locals and found out that the Col de Portillon was closed due to road works meaning that our route on Day 5 was now 30 kilometres longer.
With that thought in out heads we retired to bed!!

Days 2 & 3

Couldn't get a signal last night hence no blog . However it was a very wet day with some challenging climbs as we made our way through the foothills of the Pyrenees. We were joined part of the way by a French cyclist, Philippe, who kept us company until midday and provided us with lots of advice on the Aubisque and Tourmalet climbs, having done both himself.
We arrived at Beost about 4pm to find that we had booked a Youth Hostel and we were expected to have sleeping bags and towels. Towels we had. Sleeping bags were noticeable by their absence. However the lady in charge was very understanding and provided towels from her house and enough blankets to keep us all warm!!
A few of us took the opportunity to drive up the Aubisque to see what Monday's first challenge was going to be like. Driving it was enough to make us want to go back home. When we got to the top we found that the descent down the other side was closed to cars although bikes were allowed. There was concern about snow and rockslides!!
When we returned to Beost our ashen faces were enough to put the fear of God amongst everyone else. An early night was agreed with an early start, with the first group off at 7.

Monday, and the rain was coming down cats and dogs as we set off. The climb took some 1 hour and others up to 2 hours, but we all made it. It was freezing cold and wet as we took over the log fire in the summit cafe.

After an hour we knew we had to get on with the ride despite the appalling weather. And with the road closed we knew we had to cover 15km without support as the vans made their way back down and around the Aubisque to meet up with us on the other side. Fingers were frozen, teeth were chattering, and it was almost impossible to hold the handlebars let alone grab the brakes. However we all made it safely in a number of groups. It was too cold to hang around so we made our was to Argeles Bezost only to find out that the Tourmalet was closed!! To get to our next night's accommodation we had to cycle to Lourdes and back up to the Tourmalet from the other side. Fortunately the Tourmalet was open on the East side. Or should I say unfortunately! We now had a 16 km climb to La Mongie. The final group made it about 7.30pm having been on the road 12 hours. The relief was overwhelming, especially when we found that we had a really nice hotel!!!

By 10.30 everyone was in bed dreaming of the challenge of the Aspin and the Peyresourde facing us tomorrow.

Message from Home

You're all so amazing! We've been texting each other, talking on the phone, emailing any sliver of information that we get from you throughout the day and I know that I speak for all of the families at home when I say that we're so proud of you.

It's the most amazing achievement - we're in awe of you all. Your commitment and determination has been truly tested today, but you did it!

What a team! Keep going, stick together, everyone back home is behind you all the way. So many people are logging onto this blog to follow your progress - keep it coming, and we'll celebrate in Barcelona on Friday when it will have stopped raining, the sun will be shining, and the sangria will be flowing...

You're the best B2B - love from all your families and friends x

Message from The Children's Trust

So sorry I can't be there to set you off but I would like to wish you all well on your amazing trip across the Pyrenees. I think you have all been absolutely fantastic! I'm so proud of the way you have organised this trip and the professional way you have gone about raising sponsorship for The Children's Trust. It's a truly fantastic sum of money and will be a huge bonus for our new build here at Tadworth.
Every year 1 in 5 children under 16 years old will sustain a traumatic brain injury following an accident or sudden illness. With you help our new centre will be a wonderful purpose designed environment where these brave children, from all over the UK, can come to receive round the clock medical care, and still enjoy space to play and be with their families.
The Children's Trust enables children with the most complex needs to live life to the full. Just think of that when you are struggling up the mountains and I'm sure it will help you get to the top! And when you get to the top and look at the fantastic view remember that's how our children feel when they speak their first words or take their first steps following their accident.
Thank you so much for everythinng you have done so far. Good luck with the ride - I know you can do it! I can't wait to hear all about it so keep on blogging and hopefully I'll see you on your return to the UK.
All the best (and don't forget the Vaseline!).
Lisa and all the staff, children and their families at The Children's Trust.