Final thoughts – and yes it is good to be home

We met many interesting people, climbed some challenging mountains and were treated to extraordinary vistas and screaming downhills. These out of the way places also offered the opportunity to meet the locals and have unique interactions that I will treasure forever. We saw mountains, seas, small villages, lots of cobbles, wineries, massive fields of sunflowers, crops and vineyards.

Each day was different as we traveled up some incredibly steep roads – yikes the road to St. John Pied-de-Port and the crossing over the Pyrenees was almost 4,000 feet of climbing and has been used a few years in the Tour de France – category two climb! But there were also lots of rolling hills and flats as well with plenty of stops available in small bars for coffee and snacks. The roads in Spain are in great shape making each day’s ride a pleasure.

The best part of the tour? Being with friends that were enjoying a shared experience. What fun as we conquered the challenges together, rode through the rain a few times and shared great meals and tapas and wine – yes, lots of wine! We created so many great memories that can only come from a tour like this.

Our tour company, IberoCycle tours, was fantastic! Each day was planned and we had clear route maps and nightly rider meetings providing additional details about the next day’s ride. Simon was a terrific guide and made sure everyone was accounted for as he accompanied us on our routes. There was not one time when we rode in that our bags were not waiting. Our provided meals, breakfasts, a few lunches and scheduled dinners were very good and it was a good time to visit and get to know all the riders. This type of service just doesn’t happen and takes a great deal of planning by Simon and his team.

Until the next adventure…thanks for following my blog and yes, it is good to be home!

Posted with Blogsy

Lekeitio to Bilboa - bicycles, boats and trains - oh my!

We are now back in Bilbao after 2 great weeks riding in NW Spain. Of course after all this fun and never slowing down for almost a full month it has finally caught up with me. I am ending my adventure with a head cold that I came down with during the last few days. However, it has not deterred me from having fun and riding the last miles.

This morning we took time to award Sergio, our van and other tour guide with an official Trilogy Bicycle Club Jersey. Thanks Sergio for all you did for the group and your always present smile. Special thanks for hauling all of our bags and always having them at our hotels when we arrived.

 

Today we left Lekeitio after what had to be the best breakfast so far in the most charming of accommodations of the trip,

As we were leaving it began to rain and then we started climbing right from the get-go. There were a few challenges, but our legs have gotten so much stronger that everything was achievable for the first climb of the day...and then we saw this sign for the second climb.

The second climb is almost a wall according to the profile - this sign was at the bottom of the hill.

REALLY? Remember when these signs are posted, they are just an average for the upcoming hill. We saw the Garmin display lots of 10's - 12's but we all made it up this 2-3 km climb. What was really great is that several of us stayed at the top cheering everyone as they reached this particular summit. Some did it riding and a few got there walking part of the way. It was one long climb, but we all made it and it was definitely a group effort!

We have had some wonderful folks on this journey and sharing and encouraging each other made it all so much more manageable. We ascended a total of over 1,000 feet within the first 10 miles. We also had a killer 12% descent, yep still in the rain.

The beginning of this ride was really one of the most challenging and the rain and cold just added a new dynamic.

 

This last day had multiple options and we chose the least strenuous due to weather, overall fatigue and a general desire to get home safely. We did ride about 30km with the two good climbs described above - to shorten the day Simon organized a boat ride across the mouth of an estuary which otherwise would have been a 30km ride on not great roads.

It was a beautiful boat trip, but some of us did not ride at all. But no matter what each of us chose to do was good as it was quite cold and we had already come so far together.

Those of us who did go on the boat from across the sea found the ride to be quite beautiful but a bit cold. Here's Ken in his cool duds in what I think was the photo opportunity of the day. Handsome outfit Ken!

Once we were off the boat and warming up over a cup of coffee several of us opted to take the final leg of our journey by train into Bilbao.

I will write a final entry soon, maybe on my train ride tomorrow to Barcelona. But for tonight I end with a great big thank you to all of you have read about my adventures that I have posted on this blog. I have appreciated your comments on the blog, Facebook or through email. I am ready for home and excited to reunite with my most wonderful and supportive husband And I am looking forward to the luxury of a washing machine!

Cheers from Espana! And thank you Simon and Sergio of Iberocycle for a most excellent adventure. I would highly recommend his company for both guided and self-guided tours.

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

San Sebastián to Lekeitio -UP!

Well wouldn't you know that just when you expect a fairly easy day you are a bit deceived by the ride profile. "No worries, just 3500 to 4000 feet of climbing." However, most of it took place over 30/40+ km, yes, that's right, over around 22/24 or so miles. That means some very steep grades - I swear I saw a 12 percenter in there and many 8-11's as well.

Now let's just make it a bit more fun and add some seriously narrow Oceanside roads, big trucks, traffic and lots of pedestrians and oh wait, a bit of wind and I think you get the picture. It was a very challenging day.

Why this photo? They call this small island "Raton" which means mouse in Spanish. Can you see it?

Redeeming qualities? Once again some spectacular scenery that reminded me of traveling down highway one in California. As we went inland the mountains sported eucalyptus and pine trees and lots of farmland, sheep, horses and cows - love their bells! The higher we climbed the better the views. Of course there were lots of charming villages.

We have all gotten stronger as the days have gone on and even though it was tough it was an achievable day. When we arrived in Leketo, a seaside town, we went straight to the seaport area where there are little cafes and ordered a round of beer for a job well done.

Today we do our last ride to Bilboa and it promises to be very interesting with cycling, a boat trip & likely the train/metro especially if it rains as predicted.

Best clothesline opportunity ever - beamed ceilings!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy