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Rides 6-7-8/15 Over the border to France. (S1:E8)

Early in the morning on Sunday 27 July during stage 7 I crossed the Pyrenees via Izpegi towards France. Compared to the climbs I did in Spain, this climb was not that hard. The view towards France is breathtaking. It was a very special atmosphere up there. A sense of calm overcame me.

Cycling Adventure 15 (CA15) is my path of personal growth with which I want to inspire people to develop their own path of personal growth in this rapidly changing world.

I am writing my report of stages 6, 7 and 8 on my second rest day in Archiac. I'm staying in it B&B La Poule Verte with Harry and Pauline. The day before arriving, I had checked my logistical requirements including lodging to see if there was a restaurant nearby and apparently I hadn't prepared properly. The nearest restaurant in the area that was open was located 10 kilometers away. But then something fantastic happened. Harry and Pauline offered to take the evening meal with them. They asked what I wanted to eat and they specially prepared a meal that was tailored to my sporting needs. We talked all evening about various things. Harry is from Zimbabwe, then a British colony, and Pauline is from Ireland. They met in Zimbabwe. They also gave me very interesting tips about Africa where I also plan one or more seasons. I have rarely seen such tremendous hospitality. Even my cycling clothes got a thorough wash. Thank you very much Harry and Pauline!

On Saturday 24 July during stage 6, I left the monastery of Valvanera in the early morning and drove a long way along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. I met pilgrim Sonja, a German young lady, who had already been on the road for 30 days and needed another 13 days to cover 800 kilometers to the final destination. And all this with a heavy backpack on her back. She has escaped the hustle and bustle of home and is sharpening her awareness of the beauty of life. She said she had crossed the Pyrenees when it rained hard and hailed. She's been sick for a while. But she perseveres and she will get there, she told me. Thank you Sonja for the pleasant introduction and we wish you a lot of good courage!

I had decided not to watch news messages, emails or social media in order to experience my adventure as consciously as possible. But on Saturday I secretly watched the Olympic road race along the way. Congratulations to Wout for the silver medal. If you cycle that many miles in a row, you realize even more what a world-class guy this guy is. Hat off. And Wout has forgiven me for having sinned secretly.

On Sunday 27 July during stage 7 I made the crossing towards France. I find cycling during the morning the most pleasant. It is still nice and fresh and on a clear day you can always see the sun rise. Once in the afternoon I start to have a hard time. I can't find the right attitude. And after cycling for days on end, ailments start to appear. My hands that turn red from pushing the handlebars for so long, the rear that is getting tired of sitting on a saddle, the back that prefers to sit up straight and just keep going. But after a good night's sleep, that usually returns.

Once in France it started to rain heavily. But in the afternoon it cleared up again. Towards the late afternoon I arrived in Ychoux in a small hotel. It was a very impersonal and cold reception that didn't make me happy. A total difference from what I'm experiencing now with Harry and Pauline.

The start of stage 8 was very pleasant. During breakfast I met a Belgian family who was passing through to Portugal. We had a short and very nice chat.

I left for Bordeaux. I just drove through the city. Never in my life have I seen so many red lights. Had I stopped for every red light, I probably still wouldn't have gained weight. Bordeaux seems like a very nice city to visit.

Then it went through the many vineyards towards Archiac. Just before Archiac I passed the airport of Jonzac-Neulles. I stopped there to watch the planes take off. In the meantime, it has been more than 8 years since I flew myself. I don't miss flying but at a time like this I would love to take off and do a little tour.

In the meantime I have covered 1470 kilometers with 17150 altimeters. There are now 4 rides before a third and final rest day. I then write a report again of the stages 9,10,11 and 12. This is followed by three more stages before arriving home on August 4. In the meantime, are you curious about where I am staying? Then you can contact me via the live track can always be found on my website.

Some figures from stage 6 (Anguiano to Almandoz):

  • Maximum temperature: 36° C
  • Average temperature: 24° C
  • 200 total number of km
  • 2695 vertical meters
  • 175 average wattage
  • 104 average heart rate
  • 21,5 km / h average speed
  • 66 km / h maximum speed
  • 9:22 am by bike
  • 12:02 am on the way
  • Burned 6783 Cal

Some figures from stage 7 (Almandoz to Ychoux):

  • Maximum temperature: 29° C
  • Average temperature: 20° C
  • 200 total number of km
  • 1932 vertical meters
  • 170 average wattage
  • 97 average heart rate
  • 23,2 km / h average speed
  • 67 km / h maximum speed
  • 8:37 am by bike
  • 10:31 am on the way
  • Burned 6053 Cal

Some figures from stage 8 (Ychoux to Archiac):

  • Maximum temperature: 37° C
  • Average temperature: 23° C
  • 175 total number of km
  • 1157 vertical meters
  • 174 average wattage
  • 98 average heart rate
  • 23,9 km / h average speed
  • 54 km / h maximum speed
  • 7:20 am by bike
  • 9:07 am on the way
  • Burned 5241 Cal