A night out in Rabanal (especially when you have to be back in the refugio by 22h00) does wonders. We´ve never felt better than we did this morning. Even if we were all freezing cold during the night (no blankets on our beds and less than 12 degrees during the night..., Sam slept with his clothes on, Richard stole pillows from other beds and put them over him, Jan lay all his clothes over his sheet forming a colourful patchwork; to no avail: we still felt very cold this morning). For your information, we did not bring sleeping bags with us on this trip - too heavy and too hot, we thought. Instead we each have a special bed sheet.
This day was an important one. No more whining. On those bikes and up to the Cruz de Hiero at top of the mountain. 8 kilometres of climbing. We felt warm immediately. The Cruz is the highest point of our trip. Tradition says that each pilgrim should bring a stone from home and place it at the foot of the big Cross on the top of the mountain. So we did just that. 3 Romanian stones now lay on top of a Spanish mountain. Never to return. The stones that is.
After the big climb today we had the pleasure of a 20 km downhill. What a joy to let gravity take over. Our only worries were the sharp turns and the chilling wind that makes your sweat turn cold and nasty. To give you an idea of the forces created by the wind when going downhill, Sam managed to rip his rain-poncho in two. When Richard got off his bike, he looked like a statue.
Before our lunchbreak we were surprised by sudden intensive rainfall. It only took us 3 kilometres to reach the next village but we took our menu del pelegrino dripping wet (lunch included lentil soup as usual: pilgrims don´t eat gazpacho; dessert always is flan, we love it). 1.5 hours later the sun was back. We dried off while cycling.
The rest of the day was beautiful. Just a few drops of rain. No major climbing anymore. That is waiting for us tomorrow. Then we will climb for another long 16 kilometres. 3 more days left. We are some 170 kilometres from Santiago.
We are very happy to see the many messages of support we receive during this trip. Including the continued expressions of support for our chosen charity. In the meantime we have reached more than 12,200 Euro. It really makes us feel proud that with this intiative we are able to give something back to those less fortunate than ourselves. Thanks to all of you for your support.
Day 10: 78 kilometres, 5hours 40 minutes. No technical problems. Damp clothes at the end of the day but the albergue we are staying at has a washing machine and a tumble dryer. Hurray.
This day was an important one. No more whining. On those bikes and up to the Cruz de Hiero at top of the mountain. 8 kilometres of climbing. We felt warm immediately. The Cruz is the highest point of our trip. Tradition says that each pilgrim should bring a stone from home and place it at the foot of the big Cross on the top of the mountain. So we did just that. 3 Romanian stones now lay on top of a Spanish mountain. Never to return. The stones that is.
After the big climb today we had the pleasure of a 20 km downhill. What a joy to let gravity take over. Our only worries were the sharp turns and the chilling wind that makes your sweat turn cold and nasty. To give you an idea of the forces created by the wind when going downhill, Sam managed to rip his rain-poncho in two. When Richard got off his bike, he looked like a statue.
Before our lunchbreak we were surprised by sudden intensive rainfall. It only took us 3 kilometres to reach the next village but we took our menu del pelegrino dripping wet (lunch included lentil soup as usual: pilgrims don´t eat gazpacho; dessert always is flan, we love it). 1.5 hours later the sun was back. We dried off while cycling.
The rest of the day was beautiful. Just a few drops of rain. No major climbing anymore. That is waiting for us tomorrow. Then we will climb for another long 16 kilometres. 3 more days left. We are some 170 kilometres from Santiago.
We are very happy to see the many messages of support we receive during this trip. Including the continued expressions of support for our chosen charity. In the meantime we have reached more than 12,200 Euro. It really makes us feel proud that with this intiative we are able to give something back to those less fortunate than ourselves. Thanks to all of you for your support.
Day 10: 78 kilometres, 5hours 40 minutes. No technical problems. Damp clothes at the end of the day but the albergue we are staying at has a washing machine and a tumble dryer. Hurray.
2 comments:
Hi guys, we're more and more impressed with your dedication and your sense of timing. As you undoubtedly know, we're heading for 40 degrees centigrade (or, as the Yanks say, 'triple digits' in Fahrenheit). We're a bit late, but we'll sponsor your trip with 1 RON per 10k. All the best,
Wouter, Janne-Marie & Teun
P.s. By the way, Monday some bastard maniac driver killed our cat Ciuc in front of our house. One more reason for bikes.
Hiya, second attempt to leave something behind. Just wanted to let you know that I'm finally regaining my senses after another day of blistering heat: we're sponsoring you guys for 1 RON per 10km. You chose a great time to do this, as you undoubtedly know that they're expecting 40 degrees this weekend (or, as the Yanks say, 'triple digits' in fahrenheit).
All the best, take good care,
Wouter, Janne-Marie & Teun
P.s. Ciuc, our master cat, was killed on Monday in front of hour house by a maniac driver. Another argument for bikes.
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