Day 3 Solsona to Cellers

Taking off from the Hotel Sant Roc in Solsona. We were not sure if it was going to start raining or not at this point. I am glad that I brought my knee warmers and some long sleeve jerseys - I needed them.
The climbing begins! our first climb took us over 1,400 m up the Coll de Jou. The descent was worth the climb.

Not much in the way of guard rails. Unfortunately, the visibility was poor. We stayed dry until lunch in the town of Coll de Nargo.

Day 2 Sitges to Solsona

On day 2 we rode from Sitges on the coast, to the foothills of the Pyrenees, a total of 150km with a total elevation gain of 2,375m. My Garmin malfuntioned and was completely dead when we departed. I had plugged it in over night and charged it until it read: "Charging Complete". However, it would not turn on so I had no data for this leg of the trip. Fortunately, I was able to log on the the Garmin web site in the evening and found out how to reset my computer. Two other guys on the ride needed to do this on various other legs of the ride.


Lots of gradual climbs with comfortable weather for the first 100km. The roads in this region of Spain are very well maintained. Clean road surface with well pruned vegetation. Little motor vehicle traffic with plenty of room to goof off on the road.
Beautiful scenery heading up to the foothills. Poppies were everywhere.

With about 50km to go, my right hamstring tightened up. One of the few disadvantages of renting a bike. I thought that my bike was dialed in with pretty much the same measurements as my bike at home. Nonetheless, I was worried. Thankfully, my body adapted and this was the only day that my leg bothered me. From the half-way point on, rain was threatening us. It started pouring with about 30km to go and we all put our rain jackets on.

For about 5km, this is what we rode on. Mud! The asphalt surface had been torn up for re-surfacing and the sub-grade provided a challenging ride. When we arrived at the hotel in Solsona, I took a shower with all of my clothes on to get rid of the red mud all over. This was the beginning of the rain for the rest of the trip!

This was a challenging ride and we had not even started climbing in the Pyrenees yet!

Day 1 Sitges, Spain

I spent 2 days in this coastal town about 30km west of Barcelona, in the Catalunya region - the people do not consider this Spain, but it is. Apparently, Juan Antonio Flecha lives in this area and we went on one of his training rides with some local racers. This little 30mile loop was the most challenging rides of my entire Pyrenees trip. There is one measley 1,500 ft climb that will leave you on the side of the road, wishing that you had broken a chain. I have never experienced 24% grade until now. It is reported that the previously mentioned Rabobank rider uses this climb for hill repeats - 6 times in a day! This is called the Rat Penat.

This was our warm-up ride just to get to know each other. I just assumed that everyone was going to hammer up this little beauty, so I took off once we got to the base and had a lonely, painful ascent. I kept expecting other riders to pass, yet I arrived at the monestary in solitude, painting a mark on my jersey for the rest of the trip...a marked man.

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Remembering The Pyrenees

I've been back for some time now, and finally I'm getting around to the blog. The trip through the Pyrenees was my vision quest - to find myself. What I found was not what I expected. Waking every morning with one sole purpose: to ride, is now just a dream. Riding everyday with a consistent group and challenging terrain that would extract its toll from my body with ease. I would tell people that I rode at a "social pace," yet those on the trip would tell another tale. I enjoyed every moment of it and have no regrets...I'm just happy to be alive.

It is impossible to take it easy, with ghosts tickling the back of your neck, spurring you onward. Famous climbs such as Col de Portillon, Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque, Marie-Blanque and Bagargui. I admit that I climbed these mountains only so that I could descend them. Inspired by the greats, I did things that would get a sane man put away. Perhaps, that is why I am so mellow right now. I have no desire to race for the time being. I am happy to be back with the family and content for the time being.

Arrival in Spain

I arrived in Barcelona safely and took a taxi to the hotel in Sitges. We are on the Mediteranean coast, the weather is incredible 70 degrees and sunny with a nice breeze coming in over the ocean. I am looking forward to riding tomorrow.

Gearing Down for the Pyrenees

I am taking the month of June off. No races. I will, however be riding. A 40th birthday present - to ride through the Pyrenees from the Mediteranean to the Atlantic. I have been riding easy without HR monitor and most often without the cyclocomputer. I will take my Garmin to document my journey and update my blog as my internet connection allows. Today's ride, I took the Garmin just to tool around the neighborhood and drop down into Snohomish. I have yet to discover the shortest path from Mill Creek to Cathcart, yet today yielded promising results. I took 156th - lots of construction - and cut through Forest View Elementary and Gateway Middle School. It appears that Silver Firs to 153rd down Snohomish Cascade Dr and South on 65th Ave SE connects with 164th. On the other side of Hwy 9 is the "Wall" - a great place to practice short, very steep climbs.
I did not climb the wall today, I went down Hwy 9, doubled back on Old Broadway and down Springgetti to Airport road in Snohomish. Unfortunately, the railroad crossing into Snohomish is closed for road construction. That crossing could use a serious upgrade. Nice timing before the Flying Wheels Century. It is amazing how much traffic builds up out here around Hwy 9. I took Springetti Road back up and crossed Hwy 9 at Larimer Road. When I turned up 56th to climb back up toward home, I forgot to shift into the small ring. I was not paying attention and just stood up. That climb is a lot easier on fresh legs, I was surprised that I could climb in such a gear- cross chain and all. http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/email/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=158823&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=5794283

I think that I have completely checked out already. As far as I am concerned, I am in Spain. We will have to assess where I am at in July before I sign up for the Skagit Omnium. I will miss the MOE and Methow Valley. Plan on next year. I will work on bettering my Mt Baker climb in September. It would be great to actually ride with people I know this year.

Riding Solo vs Riding with Team

I have been down in a rut lately. I train by myself and then race on weekends and expect to be comfortable in a pack. Tuesday and Thursday night races are just not practical. I read Brad's blog entry about his awesome ride with his Byrne teammates - despite Brian's bonkatude. I got to thinking, I need to ride in more competitive training rides more frequently. Over the winter, I looked forward to the Saturday team ride, especially coming back through the arboretum when things get a little "spirited".
My race season is basically over. It is now time to plan for next year. My goal is to establish a cohort of riders who will train with me and kick my ass when I need it. I perform best in team situations despite my solo efforts. Prime example was Sunday. I rode down to Seattle and met up with a group riding up from the SC. Total ride 70 miles. I pushed myself through the sprinter hills and rode above my comfort zone, in fact I rode above my head.
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I cut out at mile 60 to ride home. Unfortunately at mile 62, halfway up the wall on 164th my hams cramped and I could not move my legs. I took two minutes to stretch, down a gel pack and finish my water. The last 10 miles, I cooled down.