Day 19 – The climbs aren’t getting easier, I’m getting stronger!

So today was meant to be one of 3 easier days that are coming up. All of around the 60-70 mile bracket and achievable without getting too tired.

Things didn’t run that smoothly this morning, I had packed up all my stuff and was ready to leave when I make my last little check of my tyre pressure. Always have to top them up as the pressure drops throughout the day. So I manage to do the back wheel without any problems, then as I come to do the front, I manage somehow to break the valve and before you know it all the air had come out and the tube was useless. So I had to unpack everything again, as spare tubes are in one bag and tyre leavers in another. Anyway I manage to change it (first new tube in the front wheel for near on 2000 miles!) and I get on my way for about 11. Few miles into the journey I see a Decathlon, so I pop in and re stock my spare tubes back up to 3.

Today was a hell of a lot harder than I thought it would be. The wind was in my face all day and I was even having to pedal the downhill sections to try and get some momentum and rhythm into my ride. At one point though I did get out of the wind with a 10 mile section on the GL-555, which as I riding down I thought to myself, this would make a great ski run! It was only just slightly downhill, with some up parts, but the curves and bends would have made this road a great green run for the end of the day!

I then hit this section of road that must have been one of the longest straightest roads I have ridden on all trip. It was just always there in the distance not getting any closer and for what seemed like an eternity. I even got overtaken today but a few cyclists today on that road. I didn’t try to keep up with them as they were serious riders and didn’t have any kit on them. Then it got me thinking, is seeing other cyclists on the road your on a good sign or a bad sign? I only say this because it can either mean that the roads an easy road to ride on, or it can mean that the roads a good challenge and there they are laughing at the touring guy riding along the same road.

The sat nav nearly got 3 strikes today, I tried to make it direct me into my destination in Barcelona twice today before it finally wanted to work. By the looks of things it doesn’t get on very well with the Spanish!

And a little update on my health and general well being. The hand is still the same, fingers won’t join up, but I’m taking Ibuprofen for that and massaging it. The only other health issue that was bad today was my saddle sore. As I had to literally pedal the whole way today, I didn’t get a chance to stand up and let things breath shall we say. Hopefully tomorrow will bring a nicer day to me in terms of the elements and ride!

Off out for some tucker along the sea front now, luckily I’ve been to Barcelona before and know a nice place. Speak tomorrow when I get to Tarragona.

Today’s journey was 66.12 miles, riding time of 5:09:59, max speed 25.98 mph, avg speed 12.8 mph, 3668 calories, 3.5 litres so far.