Still Going Strong !!

Saturday 22nd May 2010 Hi Everyone, just to let you know that Jotown will be back on t'internet, reporting on a week of mountain adventures, just as soon as he has a lie down, some good food, and cools down. Back in Turieno having done a full tour of the Picos de Europa, with mountain gorges, snow clad hills, routes to lead and many more bike rides !! Watch for more as it comes !!

Jotown on the Up..again

Sunday 16th May 2010

I've given Saturday a miss....it was raining again, and I read a book, and went out for a lazy meal !!

The sun was due to be shining..and it was !!

First things first, it was a special Birthday of my Grandson Tristan, and so early in the morning ( probably earlier than his parents expected _ sorry !) I rang the Birthday Boy, and sent him my good wishes..

here's what I recorded later for him .....!!

On the recomendation of the lady from the campsite, I went to the one o'clock mass at the Monastery of St Toriebo ( No, I'd not just had a lie in, cause I'd had too much wine the night before...although it may have been a contributing factor) I set off on the trek to church, which took me over an hour, but in the sunshine, very pleasant ( and I had my suntan oil on !)

After mass I trekked my way back to the campsite, but I'd figured out a shortcut...and so took about 1/2 hour off my return journey...I had lunch and finished another book..the last of Dot's ...

I sat in the sunshine for a while, it was pleasant, although out of the sun it was still rather cool...and decided I couldn't just sit there all afternoon..

and so I decided to get the Road Bike out, and ride as far as I could towards Fuente De....as long as I passed my previous point I would be happy !

It was around 4 p.m. as I started on the road towards Fuente De.... over 20 Kms, and a climb of 800mts or so, impossible I thought, but I'd go until I couldn't manage any further...and off I set...

the first point of 'no return' was going past my previous high point, and already I was feeling the strain...but onwards and upwards I carried on towards the clouds in the distance...

I kept managing to take a break in the shade of any trees at the roadside, as cars and motorbikes whizzed by me, on their seemingly easy climb up the never ending hilly road...

it seemed to be getting hotter and hotter, as the evening sun bore down on my never ending upward trek...

I decided that I would get up to the top of a hill, which I thought gave me a view of the valley and Fuente De area, and I decided I would stop, without descending -- I thought I would never get back up again,but, I'd been confused...there was no top, and descent, just a never ending grind as I pushed onwards and upwards, imagining I was in the 'Tour de France' and leading the peloton...(it's no wonder all the Spanish riders, are tiches, and able to climb hill as if they were on the flat...Miguel Indurain, eat your heart out !), suddenly I was faced with the roadsign 'Espinama',,, which I knew to be only 3 or 4 kms from Fuente De, surely I couldn't make it ?, as I rode into the small village, there seemed to be great crowds on the street (there's only one street in Espinama..) and so with a great burst from the weary legs I blasted through the township, ever upwards towards Fuente de ( although I could have done with an ice cream..and rest),

carried on I did, the impossible seemed to be achievable as I carried on pushing the pedals towards the rise before Fuente De, where I would definitely stop.....but, what was this ? no rise seemed to be on the horizon, just never ending punishment as the road continued to drag me ever upwards, and unceasing...

Then, the unthinkable happened...I coasted along the road, past the Hotel at Fuente De http://www.parapromotions-spain.com/parador/spain/fuente-de.html

the end was in sight...surely I couldn't have made it all the way...

YES, I had, Fuente De was no longer a dream for my sore bum, and tired legs.. I had made it, and pushed on to the cable car station, and cafeteria beneath.... I expected the crowds to cheer (they didn't !), but no matter as I propped my trusty steed along the fence, and treated myself to a lemony type ice cream...what an afternoon, I'm sure there were many admiring glances from the ' car tourists' who could only dream of being able to do this route on a bike...

I had climbed 20 kms, 800 mts(2600 feet) in 1 hour 45 minutes...

After taking some pics, and having a short rest I zoomed back to the campsite...it only took 30 minutes, with a top speed of 42 mph !!averaging around 25mph.....and chilly as the wind whipped around me as I descended like a great Road cyclist....(all over the Road)...

Back to the campsite for 7-30 p.m., quick shower, change and full 3 course meal as my Sunday treat !!

On the move again tomorrow, so not sure whether I will have internet connections,,,

until the next time .....Adios