Day 10 (my last day) Biescas to Benasque

Whatever happened i knew Sunday would be my final day as i knew i was close enough (120kms) to make to my house in Benasque. It was a long ride so i left my cosy hotel at just after 9am. I went to a bar across from the hotel and got a couple of rolls to last me the day. The road started to climb again but the views were great so i didn't mind that much.

All i could think about now was getting home and putting the bike in the garage.

On the way i passed through some really nice towns and if i had more time i would have liked to stop to check them out a bit better.

8 hours later, having covered 1030kms of the 1050kms total, i pulled into a petrol station within sight of the finish line, bought a coke and mars bar, got off the bike and finished my journey there and then.

I had enough, i called a taxi, and 15mins later i was in my house.

Success or failure - you decide!

Day 9 Louvie-Juuzon to Biescas- Spain!

Saturday 2nd October 2010 was without doubt the toughest day on a bike i ever spent.

I left my hotel just after 9am ready to cross the mountains from France into Spain.

I had cycled up Alpe Duez before and although its hard, its an hour and and half of pain and then its over, but not the Col de Portalet on a bike weighing almost 30kgs including my luggage.

If there was one consolation it was the scenery - it was magnificent!

I called my brother Paul at the bottom of the climb and it was not that difficult so i was feeling good about the rest of the climb. I had no internet connection the day before and was hoping Paul could give me some info. but he was out training on his bike and couldn't give much on the climb. The climb went up and up and up for about 30kms and since since i could only manage 6kms per hour, well it took along time to get up.

I eventually made it to the top and crossing the border into Spain you couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Leaving my hotel and France

Halfway up!

I was going to stop at El Formigal at the top of the mountain but i shot down (at 60kms per hour) to Biescas to be a bit closer to final stop in Spain.

Day 8 Roquefort to Louvie-Juzon

It's getting hard to get out of bed!

I was looking forward to my last full day in France as i thought i should cross in to Spain tomorrow evening. The ride was hard as the roads stated to rise as i approached the Pyrenees. The landscape started to change to the typical Pyrenees look. Passed through Pau on the way with no problems with the navigation. As i approached Gan, an ederly man on a race bike saw me reading a map and offered his assitance. He insited on going to Gan with me. He showed me to the hotel in Gan but after he had gone i discovered it was closed down. I will break his neck if i ever see him again!     I had to cycle through another 3 towns (30kms) before i found a place to stay as every where was full for the weekend i suppose. In the end i covered 120kms in 9 hours but i pushed myself to the limit and could pay for that tomorrow. Off to bed, Im wrecked!

Near Pau

Big mistake listening to this bloke!

The landscape is changing

Shattered