Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

Cycling from London to Spain

Day 41 Ponferrada to Fonfria

Distance 38 miles

Ascent 1714 metres Descent 963 metres

Temperature 15 degrees

Water heater update. No tea in our room this morning but breakfast in the Hostal cafe instead.

Today was all about the climb. A gentle start out of Ponferrada.
Hospital in Villafranca built in the 13th century to give shelter and aid to Pilgrims. Two laden bikes having a rest before the hard work began.
On the way up.

We are mountaineers. We followed Christophe’s route which took us up gradients so steep they were unrideable even for Level 12 cyclists. We spent a lot of time pushing uphill as the weather deteriorated.

One of two summits. The second was higher but raining too hard to get a photo.
You don’t look this glamorous if you have cycled to the top of a mountain in the rain.
This is the reality of a big climb in the rain.

Arriba! Abajo! Al centro! Al dentro! Communal dinner in the Hostal and we have been doing shots of Queimada with the youngsters here. There is no stopping us now.

Surely it will be all downhill tomorrow.

Good night.

alisonmiddleditch

2 responses to “Day 41 Ponferrada to Fonfria”

  1. johnrobinson944 avatar
    johnrobinson944

    Excellent. Enjoy the downhill run to the end

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  2. Malcolm avatar
    Malcolm

    Terrific job you two showing those two nasty lumps that you’re the Queens of the Mountains. Now everything else on the run in to SdC will feel like speed bumps.
    Alison, please keep an eye on Alison and her water heater. Tell her that if it doesn’t go the way of her shoes etc all her friends will buy her the same present for Xmas, a water heater. Wayside Cottage will be full to the rafters with them.

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