Pyrenees and Med Coast 2016

Getting here.  Got the bike bus from Newport Pagnell services as per usual which is only about an hour by bike. Saw some of the usual offenders and settled down for the long journey. A new coach, but seems a little cramped compared with previous ones. We hit a bit of traffic on the M25 plus combined with delays in loading a tandem means we miss our designated ferry and are running about 2 hours late. Once we get to France its plain sailing all the way and get in to Roses by 4pm. That's about 28 hours by coach. I leave the others at the Marian Plata hotel which is ok but a bit overpriced and the food's not great. There are much better hotels in town and fortunately mine is one. The Parc hotel is great. Nice spacious room plus breakfast for only 36€. The breakfast was great. The wind looks pretty severe in Perpignan and it's against me so I decide to stay local. Unfortunately everywhere is booked in Roses and there's no room at the inn. I decide to try one of the local campsites and it's ok but pretty expensive, nearly half of what I paid for the hotel. There's quite a few dogs on site. I pick what seems a quiet spot but a couple rock up at 730 and pitch right next to me! With a large dog too. He'd better not piss up my stuff.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 1 55 miles

Last night's campsite was awful. Really busy and noisy neighbours. I woke up early with little sleep but decided to get up and go and make as much noise as possible! I was on the road by 9 and headwinds all the way. Caught up with an old French touring cyclist who wanted to cycle with me, but was feeling pretty antisocial due to sleep deprivation and couldn't be arsed conversing in my own language let alone French. Also he was pretty slow.

Breakfast was a very welcome McDonald's near Figueres and I spent about an hour there. Then took the N 11 north to France. La Jonquera was a dump, basically just a truck stop and full of whores. Then it was a gradual ascent to the border and you know straight away you're in France. Signs for escargot and the like. Pleasant hilly scenery and at La Boules I stop for my 2nd McDonald's of the day - it's for the free Wi Fi honest! I meet John a cyclist born in Portugal but grew up in the USA. He's 57 and cycling round the world.  He's already done USA coast to coast and now he's doing Lisbon to Macau! We cycle together for a bit but pretty soon I head West and full in to the wind. It's hard going and smaller roads but now in France not many shoulders to cycle on.

Eventually I arrive in Ile sur la tete, a charming and quiet little town. The municipal campsite is wonderful. Only 8€ so half of last night's! Very quiet, nice shower block with a PIN entry and sockets for charging. I have my own little private pitch area with its own washing line. It's a short walk in to town for dinner at the local pizzeria.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 2 20 miles

A great night's sleep at the Ille sur la tete campsite. One of the best I've stayed at. A glorious sunny morning and already it's too hot in the tent. I've booked in at a hotel tonight, but check in is not until 5pm so I can take it easy. Breakfast was yesterday's left over pain aux raisins, some bread and cheese and an apple. I wisely suspended the bag of food from my handlebars to foil ants from getting in. But to my dismay a rather large spider has found its way in. I'm pretty sure spiders dont eat pain aux raisins so I think he must have got in by mistake. Afterwards I have to painstakingly pick out all the tiny thorns from my shoes that I have picked up on the campsite. I'm ready to leave and it's only 20 miles today. I wanted to go further but there's nowhere to stay until much further on. It's uphill from now on, about 500m of ascent today. The wind is behind me though. In no time at all I get to Prades where there is a McDonald's. You may have gathered I'm rather partial to them. Well I am but they are also very convenient for the touring cyclist with their free Wi Fi, decent coffee and usually clean loos. Then it's only a few miles til I turn off left to the small town of Vernet les Bains and more climbing. I find the hotel which is ok, a bit Fawlty Towers and the decor and bathroom are straight from the 70s. It's comfortable however and seems quiet. Good Wi Fi though bizarrely I can't send emails but can do everything else. I arrived in the nick of time though as it started pouring as I arrived. It continued to pour until about 8pm when I ventured out. I found a good restaurant and chose the chicken curry pizza which had an egg in the middle of it and was eggcellent. Unfortunately it had started pouring again and like a twat I didn't bring my waterproof, only my bike jacket. I managed to get pretty soaked on the short journey back. If that wasn't bad enough I then went arse over tits. The trouble is my lightweight shoes that I wear off the bike have no grip left. I should have replaced them but I couldn't find anything quite the same.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 3 35 miles

The storms had all passed and woke up to blue skies this morning. After a filling breakfast at the hotel, I filled my pockets with snacks to keep me going. Only 35 miles today but some serious climbing - 1.5km! The start was easy enough, a nice descent back to the main road. Then headed West and uphill all the way, lots of squiggly lines on the map. Although it was tough and hot, the gradient was rarely more than 10%. The scenery gradually changed with altitude and snow capped peaks came in to view. Good job I packed those snacks as there was very little open. Once I made it to the top it was straight in to a cold headwind. Although still sunny, I needed my windproof top. I passed another touring cyclist coming in the opposite direction. He was Swiss and just nearing the end of a rtw trip! Then the next town there was finally somewhere open. After some much needed food and drink I headed right to the curious Spanish enclave of llivia. A pleasant little town. I spoke to a passer by and she said that Catalan was the first language  and most people spoke Spanish well but not much French which is strange when they are surrounded by France! Then back in to France briefly before reaching my destination of Puigcerda. So in just 5 miles I had gone from France to Spain to France to Spain! The hotel was delightful with a nice big room with a balcony and a bath! Popped in to town but couldn't find anywhere I fancied no McDonald's lol. So I got a few bits from the supermarket for dinner and breakfast tomorrow.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 4 35 miles

But 1500m of climbing! I kind of had 2 breakfasts today. I had some left over from last night plus there was a small buffet at the hotel which was a bonus. The maid was a bit grumpy though as she wanted to clean the room but I still had another 2 hours before check out. I took the hint though as I needed to get going, I knew there would be some monster climbs today. I passed through La Tour de Carol which I passed through on my Inter Rail trip in 1994. It was a gradual climb all the way to Porta. The cars could then take the easy route via the tunnel. But for me I had to take the first of 3 cols. All switchbacks to get over the mountains. The first one wasn't too bad but then it dropped another 200m which I had to make up on the way to Andorra. I was waved through customs and then arrived in the first town where there was a McDonald's - hurrah! I needed the free Wi Fi even more than ever as in Andorra I don't get free data so switched my phone data off while I'm here. The cars take the easy tunnel again but I face the final and most formidable col that looks almost vertical.
Eventually I make it to the top and there is snow everywhere, chairlifts and even a skidoo! 2000m - almost 8000 feet. Quite proud of myself getting up here on a fully loaded bike. I get quite a lot of honks of encouragement and thumbs up. Then it's downhill all the way to Soldeu which I reach in no time at all. The switchbacks are certainly more fun coming down! The Hotel Bruxelles is great and the guy in charge was very helpful as I cocked up on booking.com and booked the night before instead. He assured me I wouldn't be charged twice. I decided to patronise the hotel restaurant and had a very good set menu for €13.50. French onion soup, local sausage and chips plus dessert.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 5 15 miles

Only a short one today as I couldn't find anywhere further to stay that I liked the look of or wasn't really expensive. So decided to book in the last town in Andorra as the hotel looks good and only £27 Inc breakfast. Hotel Folch, St Julia de Lora. Andorra is such a small country that it's only 15 miles and downhill. It's like a big rollercoaster. You have a massive climb at the beginning and then it's all downhill. I wouldn't want to cycle it in the opposite direction! Leaving Soldeu the road winds downhill through the valley. There looks like no way through the mountains but it cuts to the left and continues down to the capital Andorra la Vella. You get a good vista of the city from above as you approach. It's quite large, I was thinking about trying to find where I stayed in 1994 but I didn't think I'd remember. So carried on freewheeling and in no time I reached St Julia de Lora. After one of the toughestday's cycling came one of the easiest. I barely had to pedal! The hotel turned out to be great. Slightly older style but very clean and comfortable. I like these older style properties as they invariably let you take the bike in the room and this was no exception. Only downside is there's nowhere to sit out and enjoy the sun. I have a balcony but it's in the shade up on the 5th floor. It's a pleasant little town and unlike France the shops are open. The supermarket across the road is well stocked and has the ubiquitous custard with a soggy biscuit :) There's even a McDonald's but it's slightly out of town. I go to great little restaurant round the corner and the calamari are fantastic. The forecast for tomorrow isn't looking great so decided to stay another night and have a rest day tomorrow (Sunday)

Had a great night's sleep and a good varied breakfast. The museum of tobacco is open today so I decide to check it out. It's very interesting, has a  tour in English and is free! It's quite sunny out but as predicted it rains pretty heavily in the afternoon, so glad I decided to take a day off! I go back to the excellent restaurant around the corner and head back for an early night as I need to cover some miles tomorrow.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 6 57 miles

Another good night's sleep at Hotel Folch and a cracking breakfast. It's a sunny day but quite chilly at this altitude especially in the shade so I don't my windproof top for the first 5 miles until it warms up. I reach the Spanish border quickly and pass through without having to stop. The snowy, jagged mountainous scenery of Andorra gives way to lush fertile valleys of the lower Pyrenees and finally lakes and forests.  It really is beautiful riding. The only downside is a headwind which gets stronger as I continue. I pass through a couple of small towns. Red and Black kite are overhead. Lunch is a set menu but I'm full after the macaroni starter so can't manage the main. I crack on and head in a more westerly direction and the wind builds making it hard work. Eventually I reach the turn off for Artesa de Segre. I almost crash my bike as I'm treated to the spectacle of a peregrine chasing house martins, unsuccessfully this time. I find the hotel, well actually a hostal and they are not overly welcoming. It's probably the worst hotel of the trip so far but I can't complain for £19! The bathroom and shower are really good. Bed is a bit squishy, I miss my bed at home! The only thing that I am not happy about is I can't take my bike in the room. There is a basement garage but it's not terribly secure, but my bike is in a dark corner behind a motorbike and it's a quiet area so hopefully will be fine. I decide to give the hotel restaurant a miss and go to the pizza restaurant next door. A wise move as the artisan pizzas are great. I had one with tuna and prawns and it was delicious.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 7 41 miles

The hostal was a bit of a dump and a dead loss this morning as no-one about! Luckily the excellent pizza place next day also did breakfasts. I had my usual Spanish breakfast of Tostadas with tomato and freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee. Then packed up and glad to leave Hostal Muntanya.  The bed was so crap I slept on the floor on my camping mat! It was a nice morning and only! 40 or so miles today so I set off in a good mood. The morning consisted of a gradual climb to Tarrega, the halfway point. There were beautiful meadows in flower all along the way. But it wasn't all rosy, you're never far from the smell of pigs in rural Spain, either in the numerous farms or being transported. They seem to be all kept indoors, they'd probably get sunburn outside so not much of a life for them. The Spanish eat loads of pork, there are legs of ham hanging about everywhere. It's probably why there aren't many Muslims or Jews here lol.

Lunch is at a supermarket come patisserie in Tarrega. The second half is much tougher. The wind has really picked up and my speed is reduced to a slow crawl. Then there is a hill that seems to go on forever, to well over 700m, almost the height I was at when I left Andorra! It's a long hill with no cover so there's no escape from the wind either and my knee is beginning to ache a bit too, just to rub salt in to the wounds.  After a welcome petrol station stop I turn right to Esplugla de Francoli, which sounds almost Italian.  It's a quaint little town and the Hostal del Senglar is quite grand, certainly a vast improvement on last night. Better make the most of it as it's camping next. My bike is parked in what looks like a medieval banqueting hall! Unfortunately I can't find anywhere to eat out, so I get some bits from spar. It's fairly healthy and only €5 for the lot. There's no breakfast here either so I suspect it will be spar again tomorrow.  But - I know there's a McDonald's en route tomorrow, but not til Reus

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 8 41 miles

Breakfast is Spar again and coffee made on the stove on the balcony.  It's the same distance as yesterday, but what a difference! Mostly downhill and whilst still a bit of a headwind at times, the winds are light and I hardly notice them. I head East towards montblanc and then south to the coast. The C14 becomes a motorway but there's a good and quiet parallel road to cycle on. I see what I think is a hawfinch.  Then I reach Reus which I know quite well as I hired a car here when I became ill on my previous trip. After a refuel at McDonald's I get a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea and then it's familiar territory along the coast to L'Hospitalet. I reach my destination, the fabulous Cala d'oques campsite which means geese bay in Catalan. It's my favourite campsite on the med coast, despite getting food poisoning here last year! I think I was very unlucky. But I'm not taking any chances so will eat elsewhere. I chat to an older Dutch couple and he tells me about the restaurant and shop at the neighbouring campsite. It's a nudist beach, but clothes are allowed in the restaurant. I pick a quiet pitch on the hill near the road. I seem to be the only tent, it's all camper vans and caravans. Hopefully it will stay quiet. I had a good meal at the neighbouring restaurant, a set menu for €11 - a 3 course meal with a beer! The main course was clams and monkfish which was excellent. I'm pretty whacked out so back to the tent for an early night. In the morning I regret leaving the tent open as there are several mosquitoes in the tent that have feasted on me. I obliterate them all which makes a bit of a bloody mess in my tent and sleeping bag. I won't make the same mistake again and will zip up the tent and apply some repellent in future. I don't remember it being so mosquitoey here. Now a few days well earned R and R. And desperate to get some washing done!

Pyrenees and Med Coast - Rest Days

After 5 days rest at the beautiful Cala d'oques campsite at L'Hospitalet looking forward to hitting the road again. Unfortunately last night was a bit of a nightmare. It started off with thunderstorms in the evening but once these passed high winds moved in and got worse overnight. I had a sleepless night but was grateful my tent held up. So today hired a room to catch up on some sleep! Beginning to think this place is jinxed. The same thing happened the last time I was here and I got food poisoning as well!

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 9 54 miles

Caught up on the sleep missed the night before, so feeling fresh to hit the road again after 5 days. Went through L'Hospitalet and stopped at the Spar for some breakfast. A tailwind for the first time! It's familiar territory as I've cycled it twice in the opposite direction. From Cambrils I take the minor coast road to Tarragona. I am flying with the tailwind and don't get lost. From Tarragona it's back on the main road to Cunit and Cubelles. I'm tempted by the cheap hostal with breakfast included, but the bike storage is dodgy. An unlocked garage, won't let me take in the room. So I go back to the Plata Vilanova campsite where I stayed 2 years ago. It's blissfully quiet, the area for tents is separate, and the only other campers are a Polish couple.  Why can't all campsites be like this? The swimming pool is closed but a couple of ducks are ignoring the signs. The restaurant and shop are open. I have a pizza and a beer or two and then retire to my tent. There don't seem to be any mossies!

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 10 38 miles

Not a great night's sleep in my tent. There was a noisy dog somewhere.  I can't face a campsite near Barcelona, the one I know gets very crowded. So I manage to find a reasonably cheap hotel that is very close to the one I've booked for the following night. Another tailwind puts me in a good mood. No breakfast on site but fear not as there is a McDonald's up the road. I have the rather Spanish breakfast choice of Tostadas with tomato. I set off again towards Sitges and I am approached by a young German chap called Stefan. He's been away for over a year through Africa and south America. We have a slight difference of opinion on the route but pretty soon are out on the coast road that is quite dramatic. I look behind and he's nowhere to be seen. Not surprising really as he's carrying everything including the kitchen sink. I think about waiting for him, but the thought of a hotel room and having to navigate Barcelona spurs me on. I really am not a very sociable cyclist! So I don't hang about and almost not dare to stop for a pee and to change the cd. The road I cycled previously seems to be a motorway and I get disapproving looks when I try and join it. But I find a new route parallel and north of it which takes me in to the city. A kindly man hands me a pack of dates on the bike! I turn right a bit too soon and pretty soon the road looks like a motorway but I don't see any warning signs. Eventually it becomes the C31 Gran Via o Barcelona. It's slow progress but google maps points me in the right direction past the Sagra Familia and then over a bridge to Sant Adria where both the hotels are. I find it without having to resort to the map. The guy on reception is friendly and I can take my bike in the room.  But the room absolutely reeks of stale cigarette smoke so I ask to be moved. Fortunately the second room is perfect.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Barcelona

The hotel in San Adria is great. My reason for coming to Barcelona on this day is the Primavera concert at the Parc del forum and in particular, Suede are playing a free gig tonight! I have to check in to the nearby Hostal which proves to be a bit of a ballache. The hotel is automated most of the time but in the morning the manager is there. He's not happy about my bike even though I specified it in the booking a week earlier. There's no storage and he says he won't allow in the room. After a bit of a stand off he relents. He gives  me a room with a balcony and insists I put the bike on there. The room is of a far poorer standard than last night and there are scuffs on the wall. But it's secure.
I walk the 2 miles to the Parc del forum through some fairly dodgy areas. Wouldn't fancy this at night. So check out the venue and get the metro back which is straightforward. I decide to get a very severe haircut! Then I head back to the Parc. A couple from the Hostal are going. There's a nice vibe and after a couple of Spanish bands it's the turn of Goat, a Swedish band who play funky music but dressed in weird costumes. Then the mighty Suede perform a blinding set of greatest hits plus songs from their acclaimed new album Night Thoughts. They play for an hour and a half and it's one of the best gigs I've been to. A late night but still able to get the metro back.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 11 38 miles

Breakfast from a nearby cafe cost just €2 and was great! Soon packed up and away and it's good to get out of the city. I pass the camping El masnou that I stayed at previously. The ride is flat and by the sea and railway line. There's also a lengthy nudist beach! My plan was to aim for Blanes as there's a few campsites. The one that I originally thought was good was a rip off at over 20 euros. But found Camping Blanes nearby which was small and had a pool over the bar!

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 12 12 miles

Had a rest day at the campsite in Blanes to take advantage of the pool and sun loungers. Had a bit of a panic as I thought someone had pinched my rechargeable battery pack from the showers. Fortunately the manager had put it in the office for safe keeping! But I had to wait til 4pm to find out. I was very relieved as I am reliant on the battery particularly while camping. Back to the excellent Bona Pizza for dinner, the campsite was filling up and it's getting crowded. So I decide to move on in the morning. Just as I leave a party of schoolkids arrive! Good timing!

I aim for Camping Cala Llevado as it has a good review. It's only 11 miles but I have a week to get to Roses and it's only about 60 miles. I pass through Lloret de Mar and past the campsite Lloret Blau which was the first I ever stayed at in Spain on my first trip 2 years ago. Then it's new territory as I stay on the coast road. I hit some hills again after the flat coast so far and the road is windy. The campsite is large and expensive, but it does offer separate pitches away from the caravans and it's on a wooded hillside overlooking the sea. And I have my own power socket nearby so won't have to risk leaving my battery in the showers!

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 13 27 miles

It was a comfortable night and mosquitoes were notable by their absence! It's pretty dry here and I didn't see any water, stagnant or otherwise. I pack my stuff up and grab the usual baguette and cheese from the supermarket next door and shell out nearly  €20 for my stay in the woods. The first section of the ride to Sant Feliu de Guixols  (try saying that with a hangover) is very squiggly. That means lots of ups and downs but also some wonderful scenery. It's pleasant cycling and there are lots of serious cyclists out. Not that I'm not a serious cyclist. I think cycling over the Pyrenees with a fully loaded bike is pretty serious! But you know what I mean. There are beautiful bays with aquamarine water. Distracted by the scenery I almost hit the crash barrier. But it's too late and as it's on my right side - the side I usually stay clipped in - there's nothing I can do. So I gently fall in to the crash barrier at zero miles an hour. Good job none of the serious cyclists are about to witness it. Luckily the bike and me are ok and the crash barrier has prevented me from falling to my death on the rocks below. After Sant Feliu it's more built up but flat. It's quite busy and touristy and lunch stop is a McDonald's where a pigeon has his eye on my Big Mac. I carry on to Palamos where there is a promising campsite and hotels. It's a lovely town, much more Spanish/Catalan feeling and hardly any tourists. The campsite is pretty good but a hotel with a pool is more appealing and there looks a good one on booking.com so I decided to check it out in person. Hotel Palamos is amazing. On booking.com it's €45 but in person it's only €30 including breakfast! That's only €10 than I paid to sleep in a wood with barking dogs and feral children. The receptionist says I can put the bike on the balcony. The hotel seems almost empty. The room is incredible. It's a full apartment with a fully stocked bathroom and a bath! I think I might have to stay here for a few days at this price. It's only 40 miles to Roses. I wander in to town and it's quite lovely. I have the best horchata of the trip so far. Then back to the hotel to make use of the pool. The pool is covered with a sort of greenhouse so it's baking and you have to wear a swimming cap. I decide to use one of the loungers on the deserted terrace. Then a bath - luxury! Dinner is a yummy burrito.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 14 20 miles

After 3 fabulous nights at the hotel Palamos it's time to get going. Turns out it was too good to be true. They made a mistake, it should have been €45 a night, so for the subsequent two nights I was charged at the correct price. Palamos was a great town to relax in for a couple of days. Lots of places to eat, a nice old quarter and great horchata!

Heading north out of town I take the cycle  path or 'Vias Verdes'. The C31 main road at this point is an autopista, so not allowed to cycle on it. The first section of the cycle path is quite a bumpy track and there's a tractor cutting the hedges so I am worried about punctures. Fortunately I escape unscathed and soon am back on  tarmac. Eventually I join the C31 and it's ok to cycle on. Tailwind all the way until I turn right to L'estartit but it's only a few miles. Camping Rifort has good reviews and I can see why. Under €10 per night and has a great pool.
Not only that but the section for tents is separate and quiet at the far corner of the campsite, at the base of the hill. The pitches are nice and shady and has power. I chill out by the pool for the afternoon and in the evening wander in to town for a pizza. It's a nice quiet place, shame about the English bars.

Had a quiet night and a good sleep so decide to stay another night. Roses is only about 25 miles away and I don't think I'm going to find anywhere better between. There is a family of black redstarts and goldfinches chattering near my tent.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Day 15 27 miles

Camping Rifort was by far the best campsite of the trip. It was cheap, friendly, had a good pool but above all as quiet and peaceful and the tent pitches were separate from the caravans and I had a whole area to myself. There was a really good supermarket across the road. So today was the last day of the tour. Packing away my camping gear for the last time I couldn't find my watch and realise I must have packed it in the tent so had to unpack it again. Finally ready to go I was going to go to the supermarket, but frustrated by the long queue and only one cashier I gave it a miss and had breakfast at a local café. She tried to tempt me with a full English but I didn't want to be too full to cycle so just had a bikini  (toasted cheese/tomato).
I took the short cut coastal road to L'escala which I knew would be hard but I didn't realise how hard it would be. The gradient was harder than anything I'd had in the Pyrenees! So I had to walk and even that was hard work pushing the loaded bike up. But then he tarmac ran out and I had several miles of very bumpy track. I should have got the hint when  I saw 4x4s and dirt bikes! A MTB would have been better. I did have a tip for a wild camping spot here but I'm glad I decided to give it a miss. Eventually I was relieved to join the tarmac again and into L'escala. From here the riding was easy. Flat and mostly tail or side winds. I could see the bay of Roses in the distance. Eventually I joined the C260 road to Roses which I knew well. The last 5 miles in to Roses were in to the wind but I didn't seem to notice as I knew the end was approaching. The Hostal Rom was easy to find in the centre of town  near the Ciutadella and Parc which I stayed at previously. I was slightly early but allowed to check in. First I put my bike in to the locked garage round the corner and went to my room. It's a good hotel and have Wi Fi once again. Now got a couple of nights before my return coach trip back to Blighty. And the Euros kick off tonight.

Pyrenees and Med Coast Summary

541 miles cycled, 26,472 feet climbed. It was a successful tour for many reasons. The mileage was a lot less than previous tours and with a month to do it in, it was very relaxed once I'd got over the Pyrenees! It was a tour of two halves really. The first part - going up over the Pyrenees and down to the Med coast was the hard part, then the second half was just a leisurely amble up the coast back to Roses, I had many rest days and went to the Primavera concert in Barcelona and saw Suede for free!

Also, the bike was fantastic on this tour. I had no punctures or mechanical problems whatsoever. I also managed to camp quite a lot, about the same number as hotel nights. The new Thermarest camping mat was very comfortable and well worth the money. The only problem I had camping was the night in L'Hospitalet where it blew a gale all night and I didn't get any sleep, but I had the tent well pegged out and it survived unscathed! The Pyrenees weren't as tough as I thought they would be. I had 2 days of climbing, but with all the switchbacks the gradient was less than 10%. In fact the couple of days after Andorra were the hardest - a lot of hills plus headwinds.

2 more tours planned this summer - watch this space!