Day 2

Day 2 was my birthday. I was hoping for a special, memorable day. I wasn't to be disappointed. Lee had mentioned that today was to be an "easier" day than yesterday. 162km with 3500m (10 cols) of vertical ascent. It would also include a detour through Spain to have a go at 2 Spanish cols. Unfortunately the weather had picked up where it had left off the previous day. Cold and rainy and windy! But since today was my birthday I insisted on claiming the majority of the "wind shadow"

And if the weather hadn't been crappy enough to start with, it got worse as the day progressed. So much so that by the time we reached the top of the Col de Mente I was quite bleak. Dry clothes, a superb lunch ( I was careful to eat more of it this time) of local cheese's, paté, fruits, nuts (you name it) and a cup of coffee soon had me smiling again. 

The next chunk of the day deserves special mention as it entailed a "SHORT section of unpaved road" to get over the Col de Lacques and the Col de Artigascou.  It turned out to be more of a gnarly trail suited to MTB's than an "unpaved road".

If I'd have been on my MTB I'd have softened my suspension. But it was all part of the experience and I was thrilled to see what my Road Bike could do. You guys that carry your precious road bikes a across your front lawn..HTFU!! We had one puncture and that was Arne was trying to pull a fast one by using tubes that resembled a condom rather than bicycle tubes (to save weight he said). 

I quite enjoyed the idea of riding through Spain for a bit. Never been there before - so I reckon I can tick that off as a country visited. We left Spain via the summit of the Col du Portilloun which is about the same time my energy reserves ran out. And we still had far to go! I played my trump card and insisted on my spot in the "wind shadow". 

Despite this advantage I still managed to ride into Mark's back wheel less than 10k's from home and bounce of the road. Fortunately I was dressed in so many layers that I just about bounced straight back onto the bike. A few scrapes and a bent rear derailleur were my belated birthday presents. Check out the day's route and data here.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/222311092#.UGB_TgQZq_w.blogger

Training Peaks File

Again we were spoilt with a superb dinner which included a special birthday cheescake! We were always amazed how Lee could spend all day catering to our every whim and then in the evening present himself in the kitchen and knock together an amazing meal. He told us that he'll soon be publishing a book that include all the recipes of the meals he and Julie serve at Velopyrenees. Can't wait!