Day 04 - Urroz - (Pamplona) to Sallespisse

A quick drive from the campsite back to Urroz Villa and the early morning sun had disappeared in low cloud. The local school kids that had met us yesterday, where there to greet us again - before they went into school. Even their teacher came across to wish us well. Quickly across the main road onto a nice back road started the gentle climb to the bottom slopes of the Pyrenees. The first major mechanical - a slow puncture, which I managed to ride on until I met up with Rod. On changing the tube we couldn't find the offending hole in the tyre, so I decided to change the tyre as well - just as a precaution for the climb and descent to come.

Once back on the road, the climb carried on steadily up the hills - not steep, just long. Half way up, the road levelled off for a while and then started to climb again. Passing through a village they had a sign 950m - only 125m more of climbing, when I turned the corner to find a 5 minute downhill and drop 100+metres before climbing to the summit. A quick stop and pictures and then the descent. I think I lived up to my MADMAN title. 20km averaging 40kmh and that included numerous hairpin bends. I had to wait for Rod at the bottom and I stopped for a few photos!!! Near the bottom it was 'Adios Espana' and 'Bonjour France'. It was also goodbye to the sun. Then it was another long slog to Orthez. When I got to the campsite, I realised I had burnt in the 'cloud' and the climb in the morning had really taken it out on my legs - This afternoon wasn't fun!!

And my hand is still swollen - I struggled to get my glove on this morning.
So I think I've earned a drink this evening.

A quick thank you -
To all the drivers in Spain (except one) for being courteous and more importantly leaving plenty of room
To the road designers in Spain for leaving 2m wide hard shoulder / cycle lanes even on the small country lanes
To Jaime for coming into the office on a Saturday morning

Thanks Spain

Last song on IPOD today : Dido - White Flag

Garmin Stats :
138km / 5 hours 52 mins cycling time / 23.5 kmh average / 71.5 kmh max

Day 03 - Agreda to Urroz (Pamplona)

Photo : I bet they don't have to do this on the Tour de France!

Up and off early again to try and avoid the heat of the day meaning I had to wrap up against the morning cold. It was a little overcast and a slight wind from 10 o'clock. As the day progressed the wind turned a little and was even more head on - not good for cycling. So head down and churn out the kilometres - some a little quicker than others. Especially when there is a snake curled up on the hard shoulder I was cycling in and it wasn't small. At first I thought it was something from a wagon - rope etc. and I guess it must have been 1m long and 5 cm diameter. And before you ask Rebecca - No I didn't go back to take a photo (and for those who don't know me - I really do hate snakes!!).

The route was comparatively flat today, so despite the wind I still made good time and decided to carry on without stopping for lunch and ended the days cycling in a beautiful little village - Urroz Villa. A quick call to the campsite to make sure it still existed and was open and we were off to set up camp and do some much needed chores - washing, servicing bike, shave etc. Then it was down bar, a medicinal glass of the local Rioja and something to eat, then back to the motorhome to write this blog. On the injury front - none to report apart from an insect bite on my right hand - the little ****** got inside my glove and has a feast. My hand is quite swollen, but I'll survive.

Last song on IPOD today : Bon Jovi - Always

Garmin Stats :
127km / 4 hours 49 mins cycling time / 26.5 kmh average 62.4 kmh max

Day 02 - Atienza to Agreda

Up and off early today to try and avoid the heat as it was a clear blue sky when we woke up. Very quickly after setting off, the clouds came in and the temperature dropped to a very cool 14 - gillet and arm warmers on. The road was smooth and fast rolling. The only thing hindering quick progress was the constant need for the loo ( I have to keep my fluid intake high!)

In 40 miles on a Sunday morning, I was passed by only 4 cars and 2 of these were whilst I was stopped!! And that was it for the cycling - just churning out the kilometres, including the last descent (12 km).

We then set off to the campsite for some R&R (it was only 2:30), to find that despite the website saying it was open and displaying the 2009 prices outside the office, the site was CLOSED - Arrrrrgh. Not again. So it was back to Agreda to find a suitable lay-by and send some e-mails to the next few campsites to make sure they are open.

Last song on IPOD today : Frankie goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes

Garmin Stats :
125km / 4 hours 21 mins cycling time / 28.7 kmh average / 62.7 kmh max

Day 01 - Madrid to Atienza

Photos : Outside Steria's Madrid Office

After a unscheduled lie in - I forgot to change my watch, we quickly de-camped and set off to meet Jaime at the Madrid office. A few photos and a check of the Sat Nav and I was off. A little cyclocross where they had blocked the road (a short cut) and a 2.5 tunnel under the airport and I was off. If only the same could be said for Rod. He set off with the aim of meeting me at an agreed point just the other side of the airport but his Sat Nav sent him on a slightly alternative route. And while he was waiting he had a visit from the civil guard. No ticket thankfully. And I was already ahead of him! Once off the main drag the roads were quiet and were starting to get a little lumpy. In fact the first real test was a brute. Straight up, no messing.

Good time was made for the next few miles, but then the hills started to get a little more serious and the downhills more fun. After lunch more of the same and a bit of a tail wind.

When we reached the end of day 1 the camp site has closed down so we are parked up in a lay-by.

Last song on IPOD today : Sex Pistols - Silly Thing

Garmin Stats :
132km / 5 hours 7 mins cycling time / 25.81 kmh average / 71.5 kmh max

Day 00 - Manchester to Madrid

Set off at around 10:45 on Wednesday 13th May to drive down to Portsmouth. Pretty uneventful really - no roadworks, no holdups and straight into the queue at the docks. When loading we somehow managed to get ourselves on first and lined up first to get off when we reached Bilbao. We were then straight to our cabin, unpacked a few things and then found the bar....whilst getting our bearings obviously. And this was before the vast majority had even boarded. To our shock we then found out that the ferry was doubling up as a mini cruise - a Foxy Bingo mini cruise. I hate bingo!!! The first half of the trip went smoothly and then we hit the Bay of Biscay and a force 6 wind - the ferry rolled just a little and it helped to counter the alcohol.

And then we reached Bilbao (8 degrees and raining - it could easily have been Manchester). Again an uneventful trip down to Madrid, apart from the new roads that the Sat Nav didn't know about! and we passed the Steria office as drove around Madrid. Always planning ahead, we then tried to get off the motorway to find our way ready for Saturday morning. What fun that turned out to be! An hour later and we had located the way in readiness for the next day and set off to find the campsite.

Again signposting and maps were at a premium! But eventually we found the
site, pitched up and are ready for the adventure ahead!! Pasta, tuna and
beans for tea.

The Route

Dates added just for Kev and Al

The route will look something like this!!! Very much going to be relying on my Garmin to direct me and hopefully choose a nice flat, short route from A to B. I can hope! I think some of these places are little more than villages, as they don't appear on some maps, so Rod may have a challenge finding a campsite. As a rough guide the route heads from Madrid towards Pamplona, then across the Pyrenees, past Bordeaux to Tours and on to Paris. Then to Dieppe to pick up the ferry, assuming there isn't a strike! From Newhaven, I will try to get around Central London to Hemel Hempstead then on to Hinckley and Ashbourne and finally Manchester.

The Planning

Most of the logistics are now complete.

The ferries are booked. The cycling kit ordered. The PR photos taken! The promotion around the office starts April 1st (!) and hopefully the technology to track progress has been identified.

Training is going quite well, despite the best efforts of the British weather.