170km, 9hrs, 3 Passes and 3 Countires

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Today's ride was epic and full of surprises. I left the hotel at 9:30 intending on doing a big ride. I spent some serious time the previous nigth researching google maps and thought i had a pretty good route planned. I followed it today but ended up taking 3 hrs to figure there were some roads that actually didn't exist, oh well, all it was was going up some awesome climbs only to come back down them. I was on my mtb rig with 700c wheels. It's pretty stiff but not as stiff or road worthy as i would have liked for this ride.

At the beginning of the ride i was climbing up some super sweet climbs only minutes from our hotel. Thinking I would go up and over the mountains I hit each climb with a little gusto as i was thoroughly enjoying myself.

The first climb



The second climb.



After figuring out the two climbs didn't go over the mountains I headed back to where i had started and hour and half prior. From there I headed down the valley and into Spain. Once in Spain I continued along my original route. This road was relatively flat, winding around a river.




The entire 105mile ride was exposed and while it was only about 25 or 26c the sun was relentless. As I entered France I started to climb. With most of the area operating under the siesta program, I was shit out of luck when I started to bonk. I drank 10 bottles of water during the whole ride. I didn't feel dehydrated but I was starting to feel the symptoms of heat exhaustion. I took a 15 minute nap under a tree to regain my focus. As I once again began to knock off the Km's I once again started to give into the heat. The sun is so extreme here it really makes it feel 15deg c hotter. Soon enough I found a bar with a grumpy old man who sold me two bags of chips. With my stomach at ease for the moment I was able to actually focus on where i was going. Turns out I bonked right at the wrong time.


Turns out I was climbing a tour climb without the slightest clue. I reluctantly took out my camera and took some pictures because i knew i would want them later, at the time it seemed like way to much energy.





After the climb I descended, Only to do another pass up and over into Andorra. The mountains here are pretty sweet.


As i entered the ski resort town I noticed some commotion. Desperate for my fourth coke I stopped at the supermercado. After refueling I looked around. Turned out the was a renaissance festival, who would have thunk. There was a line of eagles and crazy looking birds there.




There was also some candy, good thing I didn't have much cash on me.


Fueled on short term energy I blasted to the top.


I got back 11hrs after I had left. I figured I sat around eating and resting for about 2hrs during the ride, thats about 9hrs then. Damn, that was way more than I bargained for but hey, its a pretty sweet ride. I met some really cool people along the way too. My Spanish is definitely improving which is really cool. Without anyone to rely on, I have been forced to try and communicate, its amazing how much faster you learn under pressure. I met some people today at the French boarder. They gave me cold water and fresh, cold oranges that were delicious, pretty awesome. I have been eating like a horse since i got back, pretty much the best. I think I'll Chill out tomorrow. Hope everyone did well at DV and hopefully the boys do well at BC.

oh, Also forgot. Andorra has these death traps made to kill cyclists. I almost hit one of these that was hidden in the shade, Pretty sure I shat my pants when it happened.



Also, heres a cool building in the city we're staying in.