Brutal

I felt a bit gutted to leave my campsite the view the swimming pool the whole atmosphere.

I had been told the pass over Pico Veleta may still be iced over and impassable but I went there anyway and if it was closed I would turn round and ride to Orgiva the long way (that would have been 130+ km and I didn’t want to do that.

I went out of Gűejar Sierra, over the bridge and started a set of climbs of such brutality, 22%, 19% I saw on the signs, thanks Espania like I wanted to know that. I dropped my head and pumped my legs to a slow rhythm, it’s never good to be in so low a gear so early in the ride. 30 km of this is gonna be a bitch. Then I turned a corner, stopped for a coffee and the incline turned benign and it seemed to stick with that for the rest of the way.

There’s a stop point where the cars stop and only walking (and cycling) onwards. It’s 10km and 1000m higher. I shot a cafe solo and carried on. It’s at this point the wind whips up and at points blowing me across the road, I resolutely stuck to the middle as much as I could.

This is the highest paved road in Europe (so they say) the tarmac near the top gets pretty sketchy but I slalomed through.

Then the tarmac stopped and it’s rough and tumble puffing a bit more but still a regular spin on the pedals. I did have to stop rest my head on my handlebars for a moment or two to catch my breath. The last 100m the bike on my shoulder I scrambled to the top.

Proud to be wearing OCC at the top of Pico de Veleta.

This ascent is a mere bagatell to the main event. There’s a gap in the ridge and as you go through the scene is breathtaking.

I could see the path winding it’s way across the landscape. The snow covering the path, I reckon I can walk that.

I started down, the snow cold as it squeezed through the holes in my sandals, oh and they are broken as well.

I thought there would only be a few snow drifts but they carried on… 100m long and so steep I had to lean hard in to stop tumbling down. I saw no other cyclists or traces of their wheels in the snow.

Then it was down down down 100% concentration for 15km so fantastic.

NO REALLY PLAY THIS IS 2 MINS OF FANTASTICNESS

Now if you remember I still had a broken spoke and the back wheel was starting to buckle, that Zipp course 30 rim is strong. I went slowly, no chance.

The path eventually changes to a graded gravel road, my least liked type of road, it’s sketchy, loose, and very dangerous on the hairpins. I talked to a Spanish guy who advised me to go slow, I laughed, but heeded his advice. Then I got the road and it’s just road stuff, nothing interesting here.

I spun into Bubiòn and dropped into Alpujarra Bikes Brian and Lynn, looked after me so well. Brian sorted my broken spoke, trued the wheel, replaced my seat clamp bolt, while Lynn and I talked bikes and living in Spain and I got a cup of tea. Thanks lots guys.

Both Lynn and Brian have not seen another rider come over the pass this year the snow has been so bad. So a first for the year.. and in OCC colours. (And the 3 of us are sticking to that truth)

What a fucking spectacular ride And day

My reward.