Live Diary... Page 2 Go to back to Live Diary Page 1
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The Spanish Leg Tuesday morning on into Spain from Biescas in the Spainish Pyrenees. Then stopping in Ejea, which is famous for the storks roosting. Santa Maria, the highest point in the town. |
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Who said this would be easy? From Ejea 110km on to Calatayud. Three long climbs today, one at 902 m! My toughest day so far! A well needed rest staying just of the Playa Mayor de Calatayud for the night. Hotel can be seen through the gap on the right hand picture. |
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Molina From Calatayud and pushing on to Molina de Aragon in the Provincia Guadalajara, La Mancha. A small town on the River Rio Gallo about 160km east of Madrid. |
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Ahead of Schedule Progress is going great as I arrive in Priego for the night, staying at a swish modern hotel in town. Tomorrow's target distance is around 140km, so one of my longest days. But it is looking like I will make the finish within the next 5 days. |
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A great day for cycling An excellent days cycling on some fantastic roads. Travelling deep in Don Quijote country for my over night stop in Mota del Cuervo. A total of 135km in 8.5 hours achieved today! |
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Flat road, flat tyre! Left Mota at 8.30am, heading towards my destination of Valdelpenas. Very flat road through the vineyards of La Mancha. Scorching hot day. Made Tomelloso with in the first 2 hours about half way to today's destination. 5 km from Valdelpenas I encountered my first puncture. Rear tyre flat and spent over three quarters of an hour to remove all kit and repair wheel. Storm clouds approaching in front. Finished the day in torrential rains and 40km winds. Drenched! |
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Buckled wheel and no brakes! Set off at 8am for a long day ahead. Completely dried out but weather still over cast. Heading towards my next waypoint in Linares. 2 hours into the day I started one of my longest climbs. 8km uphill into the Sierra del Cambron. Half a kilometre from the summit, a spoke broke on the rear wheel. Now had to decide whether to try for Linares or not. Back wheel was severely buckled so had to release back brake to stop it rubbing and look forward to a 9km decent with hairpin bends and only half the stopping power! Very hairy! Reached destination of Linares, 40 km further on riding most of the way standing up to take weight of broken rear wheel. Found Hotel Victoria, where Victoria the owner helped me find Juan who repaired the bike by 6:30.
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On the road again and some familiar faces... Linaries to Priego de Cordoba. Bike back in full working order and made good progress on to Mengibar. Met a couple of new friends. One man and his horse. Made Arjona, high up in the Sierras by 12:30. A short stop for lunch at Martos, but needed to make Priego by 6pm to meet faimly and friends. Another big climb of 6km to Alcaudete before reaching the main square in Priego on time!
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The Final Day! Looking forward to reaching the final destination of Antequerra on what is my last day of cycling. Leave Priego at 8am to face my toughest climb since leaving Alton. 2km uphill at 12% incline in the Sierra de la Horconera. After that, downhill all the way for 14km to Iznajar. Meet with my son and his friend at about 12pm in Archidona and then on into Antequerra from there, to the bullring and a welcome reception and well deserved drink! |
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Celebrations in Villanueva del Rosario Another bit of cycling into the local town to where I was staying with friends. A celebration was held in the town square to mark my achievement and also raise some funds for the AECC (Asociacion Espanola Contre Cancer) in the region. Family, friends and many local residents turned out for the street party. Local press and radio were there to help support the event. Final totals are to be confirmed. A really great day and many many thanks to so many!
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Special Thanks: Lizzie & Ray Marsh - Friends and fundraisers in Spain
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