Double-Dipping

My tour is turning in to connecting the climbs in the book “Mountain High” by Daniel Friebe. The Urkiola is “the Basque Galibier” according to the book so off I headed from Bilbao.

The climb was steady away and had trees all the way up with steep rock faces bursting up behind them. I didn’t stop to take a photo other than the progress signs I’m afraid. I suspect the best views were behind me. I also forgot to ride to the sanctuary at the top which is a further 400m so I’ll have to go back one day. After the Urkiola it was on to Vitoria-Gastiez for the train. I went a bit off piste because the route looked a bit out of the way and industrial and lucked upon an old railway line that is now a bike path right in to the middle of the city. Then an hour wait for the fast train to Donostia San-Sebastian.

At Donostia San-Sebastian I walked off the train to the cops jumping on to a member of the public. Much shouting. Then I headed North. I was keen to ride over the border in to France but it was such anti-climax. We have bigger village signs in Essex. You know you’re in France because the drivers aren’t as nice and fewer hard shoulders to ride on.

I wanted to get to Bayonne at the minimum and had no accommodation planned at all. I was keen to wild camp and was all set to do it but cracked when I cycled past a cheap B&B Hotel. I went on their website and booked Bayonne, arriving about 8pm having had a roadside pizza along the way.

I felt strong all day. Exercise then rest. Who knew?!

The plan tomorrow is to cuddle 115k to Pau and have a bit of a rest and a nice meal at a restaurant recommended to me by The Cycling Podcast on Sunday morning!