The climb out of the Tuxien valley was not the steepest we have done, or the longest, but considering our depleted state, doing it nonstop seemed some achievement.
The previous day the Puerto de Canto was 21 km uphill and 26 down again to complete the 1000m climb. Despite the drizzle the ride was comfortable enough and we then had a short stretch of main road before turning onto a minor road with a few hairpins and looking for a camp spot. We should have known, hairpins = no flat land and d'oh we forgot to fill up with water. Now late afternoon we looked up in astonishment as the road loomed far above us. On we went, reaching the top (around 700m up) after dark. A 96km day with 1700m climbed.
Off early the next day after a 1 banana breakfast we were dismayed to find the tarmac ran out and the track continued uphill. And this was not well graded woodland trails. Loose road builders' rubble shifted around under our tyres making steering tough work and progress jarring. After 20km of looping around a deep valley we emerged with weary relief back onto the tarmac. For the first time in Spain my body felt tired and my legs buckled when walking. We celebrated with a 'what's left in the panniers?' garlic rice risotto. I was saving the Kendal Mintcake surprise pasta for later.
And it was with relief that we started our final climb. For the length of a football match (without the break) or a movie we continued pedalling to the top. Although it was hairpins through wooded slopes the col kept appearing, at first a dismaying sight above us, then as we progressed and our bodies felt stronger, an encouraging one. The 90 minutes passed quickly as we climbed at a slow but steady rate. Although nearing the top I put on an extended burst of speed in a vain attempt to catch a grocery van which I assumed would stop at the cafe on the summit. Despite the lack of lunch it was with great satisfaction that we reached the top, although a cold wind meant that the moment had to be savoured later.
The previous day the Puerto de Canto was 21 km uphill and 26 down again to complete the 1000m climb. Despite the drizzle the ride was comfortable enough and we then had a short stretch of main road before turning onto a minor road with a few hairpins and looking for a camp spot. We should have known, hairpins = no flat land and d'oh we forgot to fill up with water. Now late afternoon we looked up in astonishment as the road loomed far above us. On we went, reaching the top (around 700m up) after dark. A 96km day with 1700m climbed.
Off early the next day after a 1 banana breakfast we were dismayed to find the tarmac ran out and the track continued uphill. And this was not well graded woodland trails. Loose road builders' rubble shifted around under our tyres making steering tough work and progress jarring. After 20km of looping around a deep valley we emerged with weary relief back onto the tarmac. For the first time in Spain my body felt tired and my legs buckled when walking. We celebrated with a 'what's left in the panniers?' garlic rice risotto. I was saving the Kendal Mintcake surprise pasta for later.
And it was with relief that we started our final climb. For the length of a football match (without the break) or a movie we continued pedalling to the top. Although it was hairpins through wooded slopes the col kept appearing, at first a dismaying sight above us, then as we progressed and our bodies felt stronger, an encouraging one. The 90 minutes passed quickly as we climbed at a slow but steady rate. Although nearing the top I put on an extended burst of speed in a vain attempt to catch a grocery van which I assumed would stop at the cafe on the summit. Despite the lack of lunch it was with great satisfaction that we reached the top, although a cold wind meant that the moment had to be savoured later.
No comments:
Post a Comment