DAY 4: 51.2 miles. I got up at 6.30 am again. I slept pretty well and my legs actually felt a bit less stiff at the start of the ride today. I had breakfast, sitting on the floor eating out of a mess tin. Muesli and a ham and cheese sandwich with a cup of tea... It's then tent down, bike kit on and loading the van. It feels like a the warm up for the ride ahead! We set off just after 8 am and once again climbed for several hours - this time pedalling the Port De la Bonaigua which is over 2000 m in altitude. The Tour de France came through here last week (riding infinately faster than us no doubt!). It was hard work with countless hairpin bends although the cloud was building and the temperature was much more manageable than the first 3 days. I enjoyed the climb and seeing all the skiing chair lifts at the top. The descent was once again amazing - fast and twisty and long. We stopped for a lunch before climbing once again, across the border into France. The rain arrived for an hour as we climbed and it kept us wonderfully cool. The final decent to the campsite was pretty cold as we were soaked though, however! I have now put my tent up, washed my bike kit and oiled the bike. I am looking forward to replacing some calories now. Tomorrow's route looks somewhat terrifying - it could be the hardest day of the trip...
DAY 3: 50 miles. We are now in the heart of the Pyrenees and the temperature is soaring. Climbing for several hours in 35 degree heat under the full glare of the sun was tough... Today we climbed up steep roads for 15 miles to over 1700m above sea level. I am drinking litres and litres of water each day... I will remember today most of all though for the hair-raising descent - 12 miles of hairpin bends at speeds of up to 45 mph. Huge adrenaline and smiles at the end!
DAY 1: 78 MILES. I arrived in Barcleona airport, unpacked the bike and set off for our first campsite in the foothills of the Pyrenees. We made our way through the city and paused for a photo next to the famous cathedral. Over the next 6 hours we covered nearly 80 miles and climbed for most of the journey! The heat was unreal but the scenery unforgettable. The last 15 miles were exceptionally hard and my energy was depleted and my legs were losing strength! Thanks to Peter for guiding me in (and for the Jelly Babies!). I was relieved to get to camp and meet the One Mile Closer team - 40 strong this year and all raising money for Nalango School. I crawled into my tent (thanks to Lucy for putting it up in the afternoon!) and hoped to feel refreshed after a good sleep...
DAY 2: 58.3 miles. I was awoken by the 6.30 am alarm feeling physically much fresher than yesterday. The ride from the airport was quite high intensity and my legs were wobbly by the end. Richard gave the team (40-strong this year) a safety briefing and we set off, climbing for the first 3 hours. The Pyraneean views were spectacular but the heat was really intense. The afternoon included more descents which was great fun - maximum speed 46.3 mph! We pitched our tents and had a great meal prepared by the amazing support team before crashing out at 10 pm. The routine begins... but bigger climbs and higher temperatures beckon.
Have been in Looe, Cornwall this week. I did some easy riding and some good carb loading! Heading to Barcelona on Sunday... The sponsorship is going well so far - huge thanks to everyone who has contributed! Please click on the 'Donate' tab to go to the JustGiving page if you are able to support. All proceeds will go to Nalango school in Uganda - it will make the world of difference to the students there.
Another decent training weekend... I pedaled from Horsham to the Goodwood motor circuit near Chichester on Sunday and took part in the British Heart Foundation ride. I did a lap with my niece (aged 7) and a (marginally!) faster lap with my Dad (aged 66) before enjoying a picnic and trundling along to Worthing, 65 miles in all. I hope that putting the mileage in will help - the ride starts in less than two weeks' time...
The Tour de France started today and we will be taking on some of the climbs the Tour riders are tackling. Some of these mountain passes, or 'cols', are over 20 kms long and reach heights of more than 2000 m above sea level. Photos of the Col du Tourmalet in France (2115 m) and Port de la Bonaigua (Spain) are below. This morning I managed a training ride up the, erm, Col de Box Hill (224 m) followed by an ascent of the Col de Leith Hill (294 m) - photo also below!
Decided to do 2 decent rides this weekend... Saturday down to Brighton in the morning and over Leith Hill in the afternoon. Sunday down to the coast again followed by a shorter loop with a friend from work. Managed 170 miles in all which should stand me in good stead for the ride in mid-July. Am now resting my weary legs!
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I am building up the miles now... The first time I did a 50+ mile ride a few weeks ago, I was shattered! I'm now putting in a 40-60 mile ride each weekend and recovering more quickly. Have been looking for some hilly routes as I know the roads in the Pyrenees will be testing to say the least. Leith Hill and Ditchling Beacon have been good practice so far though! In May I met up with some of the team for a cracking 60 mile sportive (the 'Little Lumpy') in and around the South Downs.
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