Journal entries for my 2011 cycle from Nordkapp, northern Norway, to Tarifa, southern Spain. Forgive any spelling mistake / inaccuracies — I wrote all of this on an iphone at the end of long days on the bike.
EUROPE 43 26/07/2011 BIKE REPAIRS We were up at six this morning, and managed to get on the road for half seven despite my having to make another puncture repair. After about 5 minutes however we ground to a halt again – Sam had ridden right over a sizable bit of glass. Another repair and…
EUROPE 42 25/07/2011 SWITCHBACKS Despite the noise from the bar last night, we managed to get a good nights sleep, and an early start this morning: up at six, we were on the road for just past eight. We climbed gradually from the start, slowly gaining altitude until we reached Piedrahita, where we bought some…
EUROPE 41 24/07/2011 SALAMANCA We got of to an early start this morning, despite an late night last night, and were out of the campsite well before 9. We made great time this morning, despite gaining altitude, helped along by a healthy tail wind and extra rations of ‘Crusli’ for breakfast. The only set back…
EUROPE 40 23/07/2011 DAY OF REST I set the alarm for 7 this morning but, after a general consensus that another hour’s sleep was needed, got up and started packing at 8. We quickly cycled the 15 miles or so to Valladolid, but had a bit of difficulty finding the city centre. After asking for,…
EUROPE 39 22/07/2011 FLYING It was cold this as we packed up this morning – a product of sleeping at 900m! Nevertheless, we made it into Burgos for 9 this morning attempting to find a new wheel for Lewy’s bike. The first port of call was the tourist office but, upon finding it didn’t open…
EUROPE 38 21/07/2011 ALTITUDE After a late night the morning seemed to come all too soon, but we still managed to get packed up and on the road by 8.30. The first couple of miles set the trend for the day: a steady, unrelenting, uphill that gave breakfast little chance to settle. We were going…
EUROPE 37 20/07/2011 PILGRIMS The weather hadn’t seemed to improve much overnight, it was still overcast and damp as we packed up camp this morning – not what we were expecting from Spain in July! The first order of the day was to get breakfast in Pamplona: we found a café and ordered a huge…
