Wednesday, August 23, 2023

C2C Pyrenees ride day 1 - Biarritz to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

We left Biarritz at 11:30 on our bikes after a photo at the beach then followed our carefully plotted route out of town then along a river on a nice bike path.

On the beach at Biarritz

Then through undulating country through farmland and small villages then through a lovely gorge.

There were some steep climbs as we proceeded up the valley then a VERY steep hill - the big climb of the day.

Mike, Greg and Phil got ahead, George, John and I rode ogether. On the descent we stopped for a drink at a secluded friendly Manexenea hotel for a rest and Coke.

We rode together to the historic village of Saint-Jean-Pied-do-Port on the Saint Jacques pilgrim route.

Another climb took up the higher ground followed by nice fast riding to get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a lovely old town with cobbled streets.

Excellent dinner - local fish (John Dory) and lamb shoulder was on the menu.

It was hot today - up to 38C - which made the cycling challenging.  

Hopefully my fitness will improve - its a 120km day tomorrow with 2000m of climbing.







Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Dinner in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

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