George & Geoff both have entries this weekend but I think the weather will have the last say .as I mentioned before George goes to the Argento ( Cotswold Chase ) and takes on Gold Cup favouriteI've escaped to Portugal and yesterday was like spring but today it's blowing a right ol'hoowly . My return might well depend on racing going ahead !
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Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Monday, 13 August 2012
The epilogue
I'm a day or two behind on this but we were crashed out on the beach Saturday and had to take Chris and Sue to Gerona airport yesterday . Nic and I have got another couple of weeks down here but for Chris It's back home and back to work ! Poor bugger !
Mind you he's got a lot to answer for . Rightly or wrongly I left all the details of map planning and routes to him - and he did them really well - that's if one wanted to go that way !
It was certainly a more gruelling trek than last year when I skirted the Pyrenees through Soria and Zarigoza towards Barcelona . But it was all very exciting . Just don't ask me to go that way again !
And then there was the time element . 9 days - not quite enough . Then we seemed to cycle a lot more miles than we originally envisaged - but hey-ho - we made it .
Funniest time ? Well - for me ( not Chris ) was watching him 'wobble' off the road after his blow out on the first day. I suppose it could have ended up him killing himself - but as he didn't - it was funny . I just wish Chris saw the funny side of this !
Frais was Chris's favourite funny moment .Two macho men -like what we are - stuck for the night in gay town ! Priceless !
Best accommodation ? For me Senorio de Las Vinas - in the heart of Rioja - near Logrono - was hard to beat . A fantastic manor house with a swimming pool . Oh - and wine went free .Well - they've got enough of it ! Chris plumped for the Michelin star rural hostel at Murillo el Fruito .
So to the best meal . That for me does go to Murillo el Fruito. And the breakfast also was to die for ! Chris had a sweet spot for the restaurant in Tremp - or was it Sussana the waitress he had that sweet spot for ?
So - after 550 miles - a few tyres and inner tubes - about 30 bottle of Spanish plonk - loades of croissants - 10 hearty , high calorie meals - we both look - well - fit , tanned and honed !
Thank you all for following our little adventure and see you all soon . Roger and Chris X
Best meal ? Had so many great value
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Mind you he's got a lot to answer for . Rightly or wrongly I left all the details of map planning and routes to him - and he did them really well - that's if one wanted to go that way !
It was certainly a more gruelling trek than last year when I skirted the Pyrenees through Soria and Zarigoza towards Barcelona . But it was all very exciting . Just don't ask me to go that way again !
And then there was the time element . 9 days - not quite enough . Then we seemed to cycle a lot more miles than we originally envisaged - but hey-ho - we made it .
Funniest time ? Well - for me ( not Chris ) was watching him 'wobble' off the road after his blow out on the first day. I suppose it could have ended up him killing himself - but as he didn't - it was funny . I just wish Chris saw the funny side of this !
Frais was Chris's favourite funny moment .Two macho men -like what we are - stuck for the night in gay town ! Priceless !
Best accommodation ? For me Senorio de Las Vinas - in the heart of Rioja - near Logrono - was hard to beat . A fantastic manor house with a swimming pool . Oh - and wine went free .Well - they've got enough of it ! Chris plumped for the Michelin star rural hostel at Murillo el Fruito .
So to the best meal . That for me does go to Murillo el Fruito. And the breakfast also was to die for ! Chris had a sweet spot for the restaurant in Tremp - or was it Sussana the waitress he had that sweet spot for ?
So - after 550 miles - a few tyres and inner tubes - about 30 bottle of Spanish plonk - loades of croissants - 10 hearty , high calorie meals - we both look - well - fit , tanned and honed !
Thank you all for following our little adventure and see you all soon . Roger and Chris X
Best meal ? Had so many great value
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Saturday, 11 August 2012
Berga to Ceret
We've never made up the lost time . We wanted to finish on the Fri so that Chris had at least one day to unwind on the beach but we always were half a day off target . So this was it - a longer than envisaged last day .
So up with the sun and on our way by 6-30 . It's a winding road to Ripoll - up & down - but not too exerting . We saw a couple of red squirrels playing in the early sunshine - its a shame we don't see enough of these cute , fluffy creatures with their tufty tops . We made it to Ripoll by 9-30 and treated our selfs to a rather wonderful chocolate croissant and a con letchi . I know the road to Camprodon - having cycled this a few times now - and one always get a feeling of relief and joy at seeing signposts to Ceret - but also one of foreboding - knowing the long climb up to the border was to come .
Camprodon is a lovely town and well worth a visit at anytime.
We must have got there about lunchtime - picked up some peaches and nectarines - and headed off towards the border - going up and up ! I've learnt from past experiences to take my time - find the right gear - and keep as cool as possible - difficult as that is in the midday heat . We reached the border at 3-30 - always a great feeling as well as one of accomplishment . Should be in before 6 .
Down hill all the way thorough Prats de Mollo and Arles le Tec to Amelie les Bains . Then suddenly there was this bang - one which was all to familiar . Chris had another blow out !
Beggars belief ! And we had run out of inner tubes . 24 hour from Tussa - 24 km from Ceret . Could this be possible ? I must admit to being rather amused at the prospect of Chris getting one of the girls to pick him and bike up - and me riding into Ceret on my own - after all we've been through ! However , we managed to patch it up - not easy cos it had a double puncture . Eventually we rode into Ceret and The Grand Cafe at about 6-30 . We were knackered !
Epilogue tomorrow . CU
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So up with the sun and on our way by 6-30 . It's a winding road to Ripoll - up & down - but not too exerting . We saw a couple of red squirrels playing in the early sunshine - its a shame we don't see enough of these cute , fluffy creatures with their tufty tops . We made it to Ripoll by 9-30 and treated our selfs to a rather wonderful chocolate croissant and a con letchi . I know the road to Camprodon - having cycled this a few times now - and one always get a feeling of relief and joy at seeing signposts to Ceret - but also one of foreboding - knowing the long climb up to the border was to come .
Camprodon is a lovely town and well worth a visit at anytime.
We must have got there about lunchtime - picked up some peaches and nectarines - and headed off towards the border - going up and up ! I've learnt from past experiences to take my time - find the right gear - and keep as cool as possible - difficult as that is in the midday heat . We reached the border at 3-30 - always a great feeling as well as one of accomplishment . Should be in before 6 .
Down hill all the way thorough Prats de Mollo and Arles le Tec to Amelie les Bains . Then suddenly there was this bang - one which was all to familiar . Chris had another blow out !
Beggars belief ! And we had run out of inner tubes . 24 hour from Tussa - 24 km from Ceret . Could this be possible ? I must admit to being rather amused at the prospect of Chris getting one of the girls to pick him and bike up - and me riding into Ceret on my own - after all we've been through ! However , we managed to patch it up - not easy cos it had a double puncture . Eventually we rode into Ceret and The Grand Cafe at about 6-30 . We were knackered !
Epilogue tomorrow . CU
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Friday, 10 August 2012
Organya to Berga
We arrived in Organya at about 4 - we were very temped to get another couple of hours in but this was our last chance of accommodation for quite awhile . There's nothing in Organya to talk about but it did have a sleepy bar and more importantly a casa rural . God knows how they make a living - but they do . The Segre river runs through the village and - apparently - the area is very important for bird life . We actually did see Vultures - must have been about 50 - circling us . Obviously we were cycling to slow !
One has got to hand it to my mate Chris - he will always have ago at speaking the 'lingo' - only sometimes it does get misinterpreted by the natives. He endears himself to land ladies and waitresses because of this - but sometime it gets him into all sort of trouble - as what happened on this occasion . Chris - very parched after the long days ride asked the 'lady of the house' for a 'narenja funta' - I think all Chris wanted was an an Origina or a Fanta - but clearly the 'lady of the house' did not take it that way - she gave him the evil eye never spoke to him again for the rest of the evening! He never did did get his Fanta !
We had along days cycle ahead of us so we're up and on our way by 7-30 . It's been hot in Spain but at this time of the day in the mountains it's lovely and cool . We followed the road north and turned right and up towards Sorribes and Saldes through the Serra del Cadi . We stayed on this road for most of the day then another right at Guardia de Bergueda to Berga .
Arriving in Berga at 4 ish we were again tempted - but not for long - to get to Ripoll . We are planning for tomorrow to be the last day - but it looks a long haul . We're staying in a quite modern hotel and I'm writing this sitting in front of the air conditioner - full on ! Lovely CU
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One has got to hand it to my mate Chris - he will always have ago at speaking the 'lingo' - only sometimes it does get misinterpreted by the natives. He endears himself to land ladies and waitresses because of this - but sometime it gets him into all sort of trouble - as what happened on this occasion . Chris - very parched after the long days ride asked the 'lady of the house' for a 'narenja funta' - I think all Chris wanted was an an Origina or a Fanta - but clearly the 'lady of the house' did not take it that way - she gave him the evil eye never spoke to him again for the rest of the evening! He never did did get his Fanta !
We had along days cycle ahead of us so we're up and on our way by 7-30 . It's been hot in Spain but at this time of the day in the mountains it's lovely and cool . We followed the road north and turned right and up towards Sorribes and Saldes through the Serra del Cadi . We stayed on this road for most of the day then another right at Guardia de Bergueda to Berga .
Arriving in Berga at 4 ish we were again tempted - but not for long - to get to Ripoll . We are planning for tomorrow to be the last day - but it looks a long haul . We're staying in a quite modern hotel and I'm writing this sitting in front of the air conditioner - full on ! Lovely CU
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Thursday, 9 August 2012
Tremp to Organya
Time is now of the essence . Chris is booked to fly home Sunday and we wanted to arrive in Ceret Fri evening so he and Sue had at least a day together - but that looks to be cutting it a bit fine now .
But - amazingly - Tremp has a railway station . I know what you're thinking - but if you've got to - well its only a couple of stops - just to get us back on track . So we took the 7-50 train out of Tremp to La Poblar de Segur where fortunately -or unfortunately ( depending on ones view ) the train terminated. However - it did save us 25 km - or more importantly 2 hours - and a lovely short journey it was -running all the way next to the river La Noguera .
After that it was rather hard to get ones legs back in cycling mode - but once going - and into 'the rhythm' we just sailed along -
groaning with our aches & pains on the way .
The ride across the Serra Del Boumont - through the Coll de Llivia was stunning - and not as arduous as the previous day . No cafes up there so we lunched on chorizo sausage and peaches bought in Tremp - perfect .
Now the best bit - last nights meal . Chris had a large San Miguel - I had a glass of local cava - he had baby squids to start - I had tomato & basilica gaspaccio - and for main course Chris had rabbit stew with lentils - for me lamb chops. We both had cheese cake with ice cream to finish -with a rather large Spanish cognac . And - of course - a carafe of the local vino tinto to wash all this down . Cost ?
17€ each ! CU
roger786.nicola@blogger.com
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But - amazingly - Tremp has a railway station . I know what you're thinking - but if you've got to - well its only a couple of stops - just to get us back on track . So we took the 7-50 train out of Tremp to La Poblar de Segur where fortunately -or unfortunately ( depending on ones view ) the train terminated. However - it did save us 25 km - or more importantly 2 hours - and a lovely short journey it was -running all the way next to the river La Noguera .
After that it was rather hard to get ones legs back in cycling mode - but once going - and into 'the rhythm' we just sailed along -
groaning with our aches & pains on the way .
The ride across the Serra Del Boumont - through the Coll de Llivia was stunning - and not as arduous as the previous day . No cafes up there so we lunched on chorizo sausage and peaches bought in Tremp - perfect .
Now the best bit - last nights meal . Chris had a large San Miguel - I had a glass of local cava - he had baby squids to start - I had tomato & basilica gaspaccio - and for main course Chris had rabbit stew with lentils - for me lamb chops. We both had cheese cake with ice cream to finish -with a rather large Spanish cognac . And - of course - a carafe of the local vino tinto to wash all this down . Cost ?
17€ each ! CU
roger786.nicola@blogger.com
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Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Estadilla to Tremp
This was a tough one . I missed having my coffee & croissant this morning . We were ( are ) still short of where we wanted to be after day 5 - so we got up ,got ready and were on our way by 7 . A 2 hour catch up was just what was required and everything seemed so straightforward in the coolness of the morning .
Our plan was to stop at Benebarre ( where were hoping to stay the night before ) at about 10 for late breakers - but the climb was really knackering - not steep - but always rising . And there was this nagging breeze which was always in your face - which ever direction you were going . So 10-30 we arrive - 1/2 an hour late ! Where does the day go to when you're having fun !
Another 2 hour indurance test to
Pont de Montanyana - which took 2 1/2 hours then right to go over the Montsec range - which is higher than the Alps - or so it felt - destination Tremp .
I've never seen a sign post 'cyclists beware' before . But there was one and it was sure apt ! Anyway that ride took us 3 hours - so we arrived in Tremp @ 4 - still 2 hours behind. No time to do anymore - so it was straight to the bar . Looking back ....well I wished I had had my coffee & croissant - and damn the clock !
Last night Estadilla was great - apart from the climb to get to there! All the old men were playing dominos in the square - and the wives tended to congragrate round the fountain . Chit chat and laughter - never saw a drink being bought .
We had a tapist super watching the Olimpics in the bar and we really enjoyed the evening . CU
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Our plan was to stop at Benebarre ( where were hoping to stay the night before ) at about 10 for late breakers - but the climb was really knackering - not steep - but always rising . And there was this nagging breeze which was always in your face - which ever direction you were going . So 10-30 we arrive - 1/2 an hour late ! Where does the day go to when you're having fun !
Another 2 hour indurance test to
Pont de Montanyana - which took 2 1/2 hours then right to go over the Montsec range - which is higher than the Alps - or so it felt - destination Tremp .
I've never seen a sign post 'cyclists beware' before . But there was one and it was sure apt ! Anyway that ride took us 3 hours - so we arrived in Tremp @ 4 - still 2 hours behind. No time to do anymore - so it was straight to the bar . Looking back ....well I wished I had had my coffee & croissant - and damn the clock !
Last night Estadilla was great - apart from the climb to get to there! All the old men were playing dominos in the square - and the wives tended to congragrate round the fountain . Chit chat and laughter - never saw a drink being bought .
We had a tapist super watching the Olimpics in the bar and we really enjoyed the evening . CU
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Monday, 6 August 2012
Biscarrues to Estadella
Strange old place last night . Although it was a casa rural we have stayed in better . Bit musty - but clean enough . We had our own kitchen - with a tv - and spent most of the evening watching the Olympics .
We ate in a bar across the road but being Sunday there was not a lot on offer - you know - a couple of stale tapis left over from lunch time - that sort of thing . But Chris did a wonderful Pooh Bear impersonation to the bar owner ( rubbing stomach in a circular motion with left hand whilst pointing to mouth with index finger of right ) . Apparently -
says Chris - this works time & time again - especially at home - and never fails to get sympathy . Well - fair do's - it did work and the lady cooked us some chicken n chips with deep fried eggs . Bloody lovely !
We started this morning with a 20km cycle ride to Ayerbe. Turned right along the A132 into Huesca . We were planning to stay here last night but with all the paraphernalia of taking the wrong turn in the morning we never managed to make up the time . Which was a shame - cos Huesca is a lively,bubbly town full of proper shops and working people . We got there for in time elevenses and had a rather sumptuous apple tart with a caffe con leche . The weight is just falling off us .
We saw the sign to Biscarrues at about 4.30 . It sounded perfect - just 3km away with a mountain stream running through and - so says the sign post - activities to suit any outdoor enthusiast - like what we are . Well , to be quite honest , I've never been on such a f.....g steep 3km climb in my life ! CU
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We ate in a bar across the road but being Sunday there was not a lot on offer - you know - a couple of stale tapis left over from lunch time - that sort of thing . But Chris did a wonderful Pooh Bear impersonation to the bar owner ( rubbing stomach in a circular motion with left hand whilst pointing to mouth with index finger of right ) . Apparently -
says Chris - this works time & time again - especially at home - and never fails to get sympathy . Well - fair do's - it did work and the lady cooked us some chicken n chips with deep fried eggs . Bloody lovely !
We started this morning with a 20km cycle ride to Ayerbe. Turned right along the A132 into Huesca . We were planning to stay here last night but with all the paraphernalia of taking the wrong turn in the morning we never managed to make up the time . Which was a shame - cos Huesca is a lively,bubbly town full of proper shops and working people . We got there for in time elevenses and had a rather sumptuous apple tart with a caffe con leche . The weight is just falling off us .
We saw the sign to Biscarrues at about 4.30 . It sounded perfect - just 3km away with a mountain stream running through and - so says the sign post - activities to suit any outdoor enthusiast - like what we are . Well , to be quite honest , I've never been on such a f.....g steep 3km climb in my life ! CU
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Sunday, 5 August 2012
Liergernas
Murial del Fruito to Biscarrues
What a couple of plonkers . We started the day by taking the wrong fork out of the village and ended up 30km out of our way . It was a tough climb that we did not need to do ! The beautiful thing about having someone with you is that you can share the blame . But on this occasion I am - I swear - completely blameless . I was not the map man ! My case rests!
The trouble with Espana is that once out of town you might not pick up a sign post for a hundred miles or so - so beware. Thank God I was not the map man !
I know I go on about food and stuff - probably more than the actual bike ride - but where you end at the end of the day can be crucial .
Last night was a Hostel de Rurel - nothing in its self one might think - however - this one had a Michelin Star - and we're we in for a treat !
Spaghetti to start - just lightly tossed in oil & garlic - braised best end neck of lamb in pimento & rosemary sauce - then peaches braised ( again ) in something rather delicious with home made ice cream . Chris had a salad followed by some cod . No wonder he took the wrong turn out of town this morning !
We actually saw an Eagle carrying of a rather large snake - but today was largely about catching up lost time . From Rioja to Navarra to Zargossa - wheat & sunflowers to vines back to agricultural . Bull fighting is over for the season- so The Olympics is taking president - and isn't it fantastic ! CU
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The trouble with Espana is that once out of town you might not pick up a sign post for a hundred miles or so - so beware. Thank God I was not the map man !
I know I go on about food and stuff - probably more than the actual bike ride - but where you end at the end of the day can be crucial .
Last night was a Hostel de Rurel - nothing in its self one might think - however - this one had a Michelin Star - and we're we in for a treat !
Spaghetti to start - just lightly tossed in oil & garlic - braised best end neck of lamb in pimento & rosemary sauce - then peaches braised ( again ) in something rather delicious with home made ice cream . Chris had a salad followed by some cod . No wonder he took the wrong turn out of town this morning !
We actually saw an Eagle carrying of a rather large snake - but today was largely about catching up lost time . From Rioja to Navarra to Zargossa - wheat & sunflowers to vines back to agricultural . Bull fighting is over for the season- so The Olympics is taking president - and isn't it fantastic ! CU
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Saturday, 4 August 2012
The rural hostle
Laserna to Murillo el Fruito
Blimey - how lucky we were to find this place . It was 5 and the next town was 30km away .We'd cycled near on 100km (I like to use metric when trying to impress - as most men do)
and could not have done a jot more . Not too sure what the weather is like back in Blighty (I do know rain stopped play in the test match )but here it has been red hot - probably in the mid 30s - and it's sapping ! If this place was not here I would've quite happily found a tree and slept under - providing of course it had a bar in close proximity .
This place is a rural hostel and is lovely - hence the photo - but I would just like a finale word on last night . When we arrived we took a bottle of ice cold ' vino blanco ' down to the pool - as one would naturally do - had a chilled Rioja sitting round the pool doing 'The Blog' (hence the low standard of yesterdays blog) and then proceeded to have another with supper ! Supper was 4 courses starting with Serrano ham & patty - followed by a tuna salad - followed by steak n chips & then cheese - oh yea and lots of cheese ! If Chris carries on in this way he will become unrecognizable to Sue when they meet in Ceret ! Breakfast was delicious with home made jams & toast . Señor then wanted to take us round his vineyards .
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and could not have done a jot more . Not too sure what the weather is like back in Blighty (I do know rain stopped play in the test match )but here it has been red hot - probably in the mid 30s - and it's sapping ! If this place was not here I would've quite happily found a tree and slept under - providing of course it had a bar in close proximity .
This place is a rural hostel and is lovely - hence the photo - but I would just like a finale word on last night . When we arrived we took a bottle of ice cold ' vino blanco ' down to the pool - as one would naturally do - had a chilled Rioja sitting round the pool doing 'The Blog' (hence the low standard of yesterdays blog) and then proceeded to have another with supper ! Supper was 4 courses starting with Serrano ham & patty - followed by a tuna salad - followed by steak n chips & then cheese - oh yea and lots of cheese ! If Chris carries on in this way he will become unrecognizable to Sue when they meet in Ceret ! Breakfast was delicious with home made jams & toast . Señor then wanted to take us round his vineyards .
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Friday, 3 August 2012
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