The Road into Santiago

24^th/25^th September 2011

We had decided to make the last day easy and split it over the weekend so we could have a sort of celebratory ride into Santiago on Sunday.

This allowed us to soak up the atmosphere of the many timeless villages on the way, each one seemed to be preserved in a medieval bubble, and the atmosphere seemed almost magical as we went through the woods between them. At one point we could hear pipes playing in the distance and the anticipation of what was ahead sent a sense of excitement rushing through us as it got louder and louder. As we crossed the rocks over a small river we saw 2 young girls playing bag pipes. It was a regular site to see musicians playing on the Camino but this was such an unusual place it seemed sort of unreal as though they were mythical musicians who did this every day.

The magical feeling continued throughout the weekend as everyone became more excited about reaching our goal. Sunday morning came and we all put on our riding gear as though we were preparing for our last battle, the feeling of excitement was intertwined with sadness and past memories but we headed off into the early morning sun. It was wonderful. The villages seemed even more beautiful and the woods continued right to the edge of Santiago where we got our first glimpse of the Cathedral, 1000 feet above the city at Monte do Gozo. We knew now it was a 6km downhill ride all the way to the city.

During that period I thought of all the people I had met and the places I had seen. It made me feel so privileged that I was able to do this  and I wondered if I would ever do it again and if I did would it be as special?……

Through a large gate we could see the main square and the cathedral. As we approached the sense of achievement was overwhelming,  heightened by  pipers who began to pipe us in as we rode though the shade into the bright sunshine of the main square.  People everywhere were hugging, crying and laughing.  In fact I saw every emotion but one thing stood out; at that moment hundreds of people in that square had shared the same experience for the past few weeks and although we had not met it felt like we were connected  in some way forever.

The celebrations carried on into the night in what I can only describe as surreal.  People dressed in strange medieval costumes and cauldrons of flaming alcohol being thrown into the air as strange unrecognisable songs were being sung by musicians and funny rituals performed by restaurateurs.  This continued until midnight when as the bells struck  a sense of calm suddenly came over the city and all that was left were a few people lying in the square looking up at the stars as the restaurants put away all their tables.

We walked out of the city and I took one last look at the destination that had been on my mind for 3 weeks as I climbed over mountains and hot dry fields.  It was truly a wondrous sight and although the memories of the Camino and the people I met will stay with me all my life I hoped that one day I could revisit the Cathedral in SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA.      

The Snake

23^rd September 2011

Sarria to Palas de Rei

The previous day we looked down from the mountains into the valley of Sarria at the mist weaving its way through the valley like a giant white snake, today we started in the belly of the snake mist.

We weaved our way through the forest with the cool mist soaking our clothes and the morning dew dropping from the vast oak trees onto our heads it was so atmospheric.

Sarria is the last town on the Camino that people can walk from and claim a Compostella in Santiago and so the route was exceptional busy with new Caminos. It was like our Camino had been invaded a strange feeling to have. The route was dotted with numerous villages  every 2 km each one with a photo opportunity, possible because it was our penultimate ride or just that we were embedded in the Camino spirit we stopped at every village either to take a photo have lunch or a coffee. This made for a long leg breaking day ending in Palas de Rei. Our thoughts over dinner turned to tomorrow and the final stretch into Santiago, one I know will be very emotional.    

3 Rides

Astorga to Sarria

20^th September to 22^nd September

The next  3 rides had various incidents, another puncture for Richard, a knee injury for Debbie  and Chris eating my malt loaf the latter I will never get over.

The route to O Cebreiro was arduous with at the end  a 15km climb up to 4500 feet  . At the top a sense of euphoria  crept in and we really were so happy that we had made it and the views were so incredible it made the pain of a 3 hour climb disappear . That night we celebrated with a wonderful meal in Sarria knowing or next day was mainly downhill.

During the three days we met many interesting people all with amazing stories, the people on the Camino give you a sense of an out of world experience as one guy we met (Pedro from Holland) who had done the Camino to Santiago and was returning in reverse said  “it is like being in a no mans land”.

With only 2 days riding left and a base camp in Sarria our last stop until Santiago, the sense of achievement is looming, we are all in the Camino spirit and our determination is at a high but I feel  a twinge of sadness that it will come to an end soon.

Tomorrow we are heading for Palas de Rei and every minute I will savour even more so.

Puncture

19^th September 2011

Leon to Astorga

Well the team had arrived and finally we were off. After getting their compostella’s   we set off from Leon to Astorga.  The route was fairly easy which was good because we had to get used to each other’s  riding and we could have a bit of fun on the way. Then it happened…. I had travelled over the Pyrenees through the waste lands of Spain and the vineyards of La Rioja , Chris went 10 miles and got a puncture coupled with this he loves to stop at every opportunity to sample food and drink, I must admit the man can eat but at 6ft 4 I am not going to argue with him. After 6 hours we arrived, and found a beautiful  campsite in a small village with a taberna full of food and drink,  everything the team needs for a difficult day tomorrow

3 Easy Days

14^th/15^th/16^th September 2011

San Juan de Ortega to Leon

There were now three easy days to Leon were Debbie , Richard and Chris (Colossus) were to join me for the final 6 days ride into Santiago, and so this was my rest time.

My first day was through Burgos, a large city which took an hour to ride through so I decided to slow down have a coffee and watch the world go by. It was an easy ride into Castrojerviz a 60 km ride. I now wizz down the Camino not sure why but my legs go up hills that I previously couldn’t do .The campsite is so good we decide to stay here for two nights. The next day is a fairly easy run and again I take my time looking at every town. On route I met a man who was the equivalent of the walking Forest Gump, he had walked all the way from Australia through Europe, Ireland  and now the Camino he had been everywhere and carried a huge back pack and giant walking stick he looked like Moses, I wondered  if he would ever stop it never entered his thoughts there was no reason to stop he said.

 The ride continued through the land of fields  into Carrion de los Condes.

Simon picked me up in the van and we headed back to the site where I must admit I drank a few to many with fellow Cominos .It was a great night.

The next morning was a little fuzzy but only a short ride today and with only one more ride tomorrow to Leon and my first days rest on Sunday to see the city  I was really relaxing.

 The rest of the team will arrive on Sunday and then and the real work will begin, six hard days riding to Santiago.    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Xbxq8igxQ   part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlFHViM-2sU Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FmmW0go-9Y part 3

Camino Legs

13^th September 2011

Santo Domingo to San Juan de Ortega

With a day up my sleeve I decided to break the next two steps into three and try to regain my stamina.

The countryside immediately changed from vineyards to wheat fields, the farmers were spraying the fields with water which created hundreds of mini rainbows in the early morning sun and you could tell by the sky this was going to be a hot one.

The road was fairly easy going until Villafranca when I had to get out and push for half an hour at this point it was 35 deg. Everywhere there were fly’s and I got stung by a wasp sounds awful……

In fact I was really enjoying it the small villages were beautiful and I seemed to regain my Camino legs. I was planning on going to a town call Ages but 3km short I saw a lovely bar at the side of the Camino and it seemed to grab me in. Three cold beers later I had decided to stay.

This turned out to be a bonus as the nearby camp site was empty had great facilities and next to it a lake were I dived in for an afternoon dip. A perfect Day JJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io5iVPSUPi8

Digging Deep

12^th September 2011

Logrono  to Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

Another hot day ahead and with very little sleep in the last two night lowered my motivation to the point where I was unsure whether to do this stretch or break it up due to the fact that I was one day ahead.

In the end I decided to do it, I had to dig deep initially for this but once I got going I was ok. The trail was absent of large rocks for most of the way and so I didn’t have to push or carry the bike too often.

This was a continuous road of up and down hill lined with vineyards for miles and miles with a strong head wind .Maybe I was hitting some kind of wall but it was an uneventful and in some cases a bit boring , I became for the first time a little lonely and looked forward to the rest of the team arriving on Sunday to join me for the last week, however there are five more days until then and so this is where I have to dig deep, tomorrow is supposed to be a tough one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG5Z0LkiVyI

La Rioja

11^th September 2011

Estella to Logrono.

After a pretty bad night’s sleep due to parties all around  I left Estella, as I went through the town  the late night clubbers were coming out of the bars it was 830am,you have got to admire there stamina. They were in great spirits and as I was riding along they were all cheering and clapping with the occasional couple of lads giving me an extra push up the hill it was really funny.

With my new plan of riding the cyclists routes I headed out of town and for once I could see the scenery as I wasn’t constantly looking at my feet with my bike on my shoulders. Everywhere were vineyards the road ahead was straight the weather was a pleasant 23 deg. with a strong breeze in your face and I felt great.

The cyclists route joins the walkers route from time to time and when I did so I felt that I had been cheating but today I saw more cyclists and the going was easy 4 hours later I was in Logrono the capital of Rioja and I will surly sample the local wine it would be rude not to.

To watch the video click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrWCRs_K0lg

Heat!!!!

Pamplona to Estella

10^th September 2011

TheThe day started well as I rode out of Pamplona, the city was starting to wake and the shop keepers were just starting their Saturday trade I headed out of the city to the Alto del Perdon mountain or translated it means “The height of sorry”. It was a climb of 780 metres over 12 kilometres and at 930 am the temperature was rising. At the top was a fantastic view of La Rioja with all its vineyards ahead. Sitting next to me was a couple who wanted to take a picture by the statues on the top of the mountain but unfortunately there batteries had died in there camera, they asked me if I had spares but I said no but if you give them to me I will try to recharge them. They looked at me strangely gave me the batteries to which I placed them in my hands with the tin foil from my malt loaf after a little while I gave them back and to their amazement it worked and I took their picture. They were so grateful they gave me a Canadian badge to put on my hat and said that they would subscribe to my blog; once again malt loaf saves the day.

It was all going fine until 14km from Estella the temperature was now 37 deg. and I had drank all my water, the path got worse and I was having to carry my bike most of the time, hill after hill after hill there seemed no end and on more than one occasion I nearly gave up. After 8 hours I arrived exhausted in Estella and downed 2 Litres of wate, all in all I drank 11 Litres of water that day. I thought to myself that I could not do another 15 of these and so I went back to the campsite almost beaten.

After a couple of hours I came round and tried to understand why or how people do this, I had seen other bikes come and go but no one else carrying them. After some research I found out that there was a route for cyclist separate from walkers and I had been on the walkers trail all the time carrying my bike on my back, A mixture of relief and what a muppet came in to my head but it has rejuvenated me for the ride tomorrow.

Click the link below to watch today’s video

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaAYEwvVWjw

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ptb_TfdPAA

The 2000 year old piece of pottery.

9^TH September 2011

Roncesvalles to Pamplona

6am.

Woke up, pitch black outside  with thousands of stars in the sky and really cold then suddenly one shot across the sky I made a wish  and thought about  the ride ahead that surly  was a good start to the day.

Usual protein shake for breakfast and packed lunch of malt loaf and solstice sorted and I was away.

At first it was deceptively easy  downhill on tarmac all the way, after about 1 hour it changed to an all day off road rocky and stone terrain though dense woods. It was at this point I came a cropper. Whenever I approach a walker I ding my bell and hopefully they notice however some of them are in a state of meditation and oblivious to bikes so as I came behind this one man I rang the bell again and again but to no effect, then suddenly he turned round and dived in my direction I went arse over tit….apparently he was deaf and I had startled him  so it was my fault really and a  lesson learnt, from now on I will take extra care.

During my time through the woods I saw an ideal spot for the 2000 year old piece of pottery my brother gave me, he loves woods and so I placed it in one of the biggest woods that I have seen and hoped that he can for fill his dream of owning one someday (as you can see on the video).

On refection the day was a roller coaster, a bit of a leg breaker and a test of strength because I had to carry my bike a lot up and down hills but all in all not as difficult as yesterday I think that I have got used to carrying my bike now and tomorrow is a moderate ride in comparison, the telling factor will be the heat a mere 34 deg (just like home………J).

We have had trouble with obtaining internet connection and so the blog may be intermittant sorry,Business opportunity" internet cafe on the Camino".

To watch today's video click the following YOUTUBE link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gwEJxKRjwc

Malt Loaf and Solsic

8^th September 2011

Saint - Jean Pied de Port - Roncesvalles

6am.

 Outside was dark with a thick mist all around a perfect time to make a horror movie . Soon the sun broke through producing a glorious day. A quick protein shake for breakfast and my camel pack full of solstic and I was ready to go.

Simon watched me head off and immediately I started to climb and climb and climb. Every time I thought I was at the top, another mountain appeared it was endless. The views became more spectacular as I headed up into the clouds and the only sounds were of cow bells and my heavy breathing.

Malt loaf and Solstic a brilliant combination was in my pack and whenever I could I would stop and eat a piece have a drink and admire the view.

After 4 hours I was sure I was about to reach the top, I hadn’t seen anyone in ages, at my last malt loaf stop I had lost my map and I was begining to wonder if Ihad got lost, Luck has it that I came across a French farmer  who told me that I had gone off the track by 5km……….(no swearing on the Camino) although I did come across a group of Irish people who’s every other word was fecking………

The Farmer advised  the only way back was over 2  big mountains or double back on myself so I went over the mountains it was really knackering but amazingly it ran parallel to the French/Spanish border which was only separated by a small fence so this allowed for a rare opportunity those once in a life time moments you have to take, so I took  a bite of malt loaf with my head over the fence in Spain and ate it in France...... that’s got to be a first!!!!!!!!!!

Finally I re-joined the Camino and 1 hour later got to the top. The ride down was exhilarating and scary but a great relief and within a few minutes I was in Roncesvalles and ready for a beer and a good night’s rest. What a day………………………….   

 

Saint Jean Pied de Port

7^th September 2011

900 miles later we arrive at our first stop Saint Jean Pied de Port . The journey was long with only a 2 hour nap at a truck stop, hats off to lorry drivers who manage to keep on trucking after a noisy night at one of those. We probably could have cut a couple of hours off if we hadn’t overloaded the van with 2 main essentials.

1)50 packets of wine gums

2)50 malt loaves

Essential ingredients for any long journey in my opinion.

We arrived early in the morning to bright sunshine and a temperature of 26 deg. a warm welcome from the cool and wet of England .The town is a hustle and bustle of visitors and travellers on the Camino de Santiago..

My First stop was to get my Compostella and first stamp from the official Camino office a very buy place with walkers and cyclist’s alike filling in forms to enable them to travel along The Way. After a short time I had been briefed on the first leg and were not to go, and then suddenly.......   I had it... my first stamp together with a sea shell (the sign of the The Way of St James) attached to my pack. I now feel very privileged to be part of this and ready for the early start tomorrow over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles to another country SPAIN…….ARRIBA …ARRIBA.

My First Stamp On The Compostella..................

OFF WE GO!!!!!!!!!

Monday 5th September 2011

This is it the night before the trip starts and my feelings are a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Everything is going through my head. Have I trained enough? Will my bike make it? Is it going to rain or will it be too hot?
But really none of this matters as I know that I will give it my best shot and if thousands of pilgrims have travelled it in the past with no back up I can do it whatever the weather with a bike, camel packs and a daily packed lunch. After all it is not a race.
My Son  Simon who speaks fluent Spanish is my back up and driver and we will both set off tomorrow to head for Le Bec Hallouia in  France and then for the town of Saint-Jean Pied de Port where the real journey will begin.
Over the weekend I went to Cornwall to my Brothers 50th birthday which was fantastic. A pirate fancy dress party. However, when you travel the Camino, you are supposed to take a pebble with you from a meaningful place and place somewhere you think it should go along the way.
I have 3:
A blue stone from Watergate Bay beach
A 2000 year old piece of pottery given to me by my Brother.
A stone from my house in Leek Wootton.
Where they will end up I don't know and to some of you it may sound a bit weird but I'm going to do it anyway.
On that note see you in France.

Au revoir

.

Phewww!!

Thank god that is over......

I don't think I want to see a spinning bike again,if the weeks are as hard as this on The Road to Santiago I am not sure I will make it.Twice this week I felt that I had been beaten up from the inside.And if that wasn't enough the endless washing of kit was.

My only one saving grace will be that the pace will not be so intense and the countryside will be forever changing ( not that I don't mind seeing Phil) who was very supportive and in every class gave me a mention and also donated to the charity Cheers Phil.

On a another plus side it was great to meet different people at different times to my normal training time and I would like to thank everyone who took time out to listen to what I am doing and for their support and hopefully a few more people signed onto this blog which will generate more for the cause.
Next week it's back to normal training and getting all the equipment ready for the journey on 5th September.

2 Weeks to go

Well. As the title says, only 2 weeks to go before i set off across France and Spain.

So this week I am  upping the pace by attempting to do 21 spinning classes, so I will be at the gym most of the time this week. My pre winter muffin top should start to disappear (although they do have lovely flapjacks at the warwickshire) and my new padded shorts will be put to the test.
Spinning is not necessarily the best way to train and so I have been on a few 6 hour off road rides around warwickshire which I found were brillant.
After this week it will be light training and preping, so if you are around and fancy watching me go though agony, join me in spin.

cheers 

F**K IT

With only 5 weeks to go to the start of my journey on the  camino you would think that I was in full training. Cycling on a daily basis eating healthy and generally preparing like an athlete.
Well you would be wrong in fact just the opposite I went to a retreat in le mâché Italy to relax and get in touch with my chi.......(I didn't know what that was until I went) in fact I thought it was a milk based food product?

It all came about by accident after a drunken promise on new years eve to try something different on a holiday.After agreeing I thought it was so many months away we wouldn't go but it soon came round and there we were on the Ryanair flight to Ancona.
A coach picked us up with 12 other people and soon we arrived in the beautiful hills of le marche. It was so beautiful that it looked as though the people had covered the land with green felt everything looked perfect the hills rolled into one another and the sun was glorious.

. The retreat is not your ordinary hideaway as the food was above 5 * vegetarian and you could drink as much as you like also if you didn't want to do anything you could just say f**k it and do your own thing.
If I went into every aspect of the week it would take up pages but to sum it up I think it was one of the best times of my life a real eye opener and I would recommend it to anyone.
I feel truly honoured to have been there with 24 other people who all were amazing and brilliant company. So not your average training routine but an above average experience which will spur me on through the hills of Galicia.
For those of you who would like to know more visit http://www.thehillthatbreathes.com/ 

Alcohol and Training

It is a well known fact that like oil and water,cats and dogs,men and shopping, alcohol and training do not mix!!

However it was my birthday on Sunday and Patrique had arranged to do a come dine with me experience at his house.The deal is we all turn up with a bottle of wine and £10 each for the charity while the host prepares a wonderful meal. A win win situation!
It is said that a group of scientists in Switzerland are looking for the smallest thing in the universe, a mammoth task that is costing trillions. I could have saved them the trouble because the smallest thing in the universe is my will power.
The next day I felt awful and I was to go on a long ride with Chris(colossus)Winters. After missing body pump,Colossus backed out so I was left to do my first solo ride, something I would have to get used to in Spain.
With my new birthday cycling gear I took off though Hatton and Claverdon, which was great and really helped to clear my head!
I am now on a serious no alcohol mission.......that is until the weekend .
Though I must say that the CDWM was great so I have attached a video of the day.
Thanks again.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pa8Gm0RZ6A

Technology

I have had a few comments regarding the video for the warwickshire fete.

The problem is my brain is in the 60'S and technology is half a century in front of me.

I think i have mastered it now and if you click on the link below you will be able to watch it on your i phone and any android phone.Phewww.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY5jUUIshRA

First ride

Well did my first road test on the bike today with Chris ( colossus ) Winters.

It was a warm up ride for the easiest days ride on the camino and to be fair we took it steady and it was easy,no mishaps or incidents and so next time we are going further afield for a four or five hour ride,if anyone fancies it 1pm next Monday.

The Warwickshire Fete

Well it was a mixed day of sunshine and heavy showers. Everytime the Knights of Middle England came out the heavens opened.
However we had a few people who gave me a rest during the day and took over on the spinning bike.

I would like to thank everyone who came to support me and donated money to the Edwards Trust.

I really enjoyed it, in particular watching you all on the video.

Hope you enjoy it too.

click on the you Tube link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ysDd33jZq8

Come Dine With Me

Date Sunday 19th June

Due to bad weather the event has been postponed until the 15th July.

There will be an evening of food,drink and viewing knicker draws at Terry Rigby's house as we all do the 3rd Come Dine with me.
Again I will video the best bits (not the knicker draw)......

Warwickshire Fete

The Warwickshire Fete is on 18th June 11am till 4pm at The Warwickshire golf club.
Its a great day for the family with The Knights of Middle England on horses and various other attractions.

I will be there with 2 bikes all day,I will be riding 1 and if you would like to join me on the other for a while that would be great.
We will take a video of the day and post it on the blog so please come along.