After months of preparation and training, apprehension and second thoughts, we finally set off from London on the Eurostar to Paris and thence on to Biarritz care of SNCFs best overnight sleeper. Blearily eyed we arrived in Biarritz at 7am where we met up with Ian and Paul, who had flown down on Friday. We desperately tried to hide our envy as they told us of the full night's sleep they had enjoyed in their hotel.
After a quick breakfast we set about unloading our bikes and rebuilding them. Just as we finished, the skies opened and it poured for the next hour. Not to be put off we made our way to the seafront for a quick few photos. As soon as Hugh gave us the ok, just after 10am we were on our way to Barcelona!! First stop, Mauleon Licharre a ride of 58 miles. Supported by Corinne and Trudy in Van 1 and Tim in Van 2 we soon found out that the roads were hilly as soon as we got out of Biarritz and got more hilly the further we cycled. The roads were superb with very little traffic, long climbs matched by sweeping descents.
It was the first time the group had cycled together and it gave us all the opportunity to work out where to sit in the 23 man peloton. It was also time for the first breakdown (Robert) and first puncture (Mike) which occurred simultaneously about 15 miles into the ride.
The rain cleared at lunchtime and as the clouds dispersed we could finally see the challenge facing us, the PYRENEES!!
Undaunted we carried on to Mauleon in some pleasant sunshine arriving there just before 4pm and our first night's rest at the Hostellerie du Chateaux.
1 comment:
Good Luck guys! We'll be checking in regularly to follow your progress. We're stoked that you've passed the 50k target - the thought of all the good you are doing should ease the pain in your muscles!!!
Hope the weather stays kind for the rest of the ride
All the best
Gary and Robyn
(Driving the van back to Britain)
Post a Comment