www.popits-uk.com

Just using this to create a link to Sam and Amy's new internet business selling Popits flip flops and accessories at http://www.popits-uk.com.

Technical problems ...

Just as we get to the end of the trip my phone decides to reset itself and reboot into the factory defaults and reinstall the software. No Internet access and can't even get into my phone as it wants a password that I do not know.

I had to write this after I got home and was able to restore my phone.

We arrived at John's at about 12:30 on Thursday, 21st May to a reception of champagne, flowers and medals.

We had only one mechanical problem which was a broken chain (no punctures), and only one accident when Les went off the road into a ditch but thankfully did not hurt himself (if only we had the video going!!).

Personally, I would like to thank John for organizing the second annual 'Cycle to Monbahus' and also to Les and Mike for the great company.

I wonder where we will start next year?

Last day, Riding towards Monbabus

Thought I would attempt to record a video on my phone whiel cycling along ...

End odf Day 7

We finally found a hotel in Aiguillon and decided to have a beer before we did anything else.


John seemed to enjoy his beer after the long hot day. We did about 110 Klms today, our longest day.

No Hotel!

We planned on stopping at Buzet to try the fine red wine that is produced there, only to find that there is no hotel. John (S) was having some problems from dehydration because of the heat and the long ride today, so Mike and myself left John and Les sitting in a cafe recovering while we cycled to Aiguillon to find a hotel (about another 5 miles).

Afternoon break.

Needed an additional break today as it is so hot. So we found this cafe and were able to sit in the shade. Note the Oringina drinks!!!

Lunch in Sos

Today is out hottest day. We found a nice restaurant for lunch, Le Postillon, where we could sit outside under the shade of the trees. Only problem (not really) was the other table full of English people. 3 course meal for 10 Euros!

Mike takes a break!

Dead trees

Passed through a forest today and in the middle of it they had flooded and area and all the trees in it had died.

Day 7

We woke to a bright sunny morning. Should be a good run today of 51 miles to Buzet. Everyone is feeling good today after the short and easy ride yesterday.

Dinner

We found a very nice restaurant for dinner. We all had he same 4 course meal of muscles, fish, steak and desert.

The steak was so large John could not finish it. This is less than half of the original steak.

Another picture of John Smith

No comment needed for this one!!!

Mont de Marsan

Made fast progress after coffee (it was flat with few hills) and arrived in Mont de Marsan by about 1:30 in time to have a leisurely lunch and then find a hotel.

Coffee break

Stopped for coffee in Montfort en Chalosse after about 12 miles of easy cycling.

Day 6

Compared to the last couple of days, today is a short ride of only about 44 miles to Mont de Marsan. Weather looks about perfect at the moment with some cloud but forcast is 22 C today.

Pizza for dinner

Found a nice little bar serving pizza. Staff were very friendly as can be seen from previous blog. The owner, seen here in the middle, was drinking beer with us and also poured us a calvados each. Not sure he really knew how much to charge us, but everyone enjoyed the evening.

For Lyn

We would put more images of John on the blog but Jean may not like them !!!!

Dax

Now the terrain is much more undulating, but no really big hills. Stopped for lunch (pasta) in St. Martin De Seignanx. Arrived in Dax at about 4:30 having completed about 60 Miles. Having a quick beer and then will look for a hotel.

Coffee in Bierritz

A good run to Bierritz along the coast. On schedule this morning so far for the first 20 miles. We will now start travelling away from the coast.

Day 5

Good start crossing border into France. Trying to get to Biarritz for coffee, about 20 miles along the coast.

Ride to Irun

Great ride along coast road with a quick break in San Sebastion. Mike got ahead of us and there was some confusion as to exactly where he was. Turns out he ended up on the wrong side of the river on the other side of San Sebastion without a bridge so had to cycle all the way back. We were waiting for him out side San Sebastion and in his haste to get to us ended up on a motorway and was stopped by the police and told to get off of it. Finally arrived in Irun after completing 61 miles (71 miles for Mike). Just a couple if kilometers to the border tomorrow.

Quick relief break for Les

Lunch in Guetaria

Lunch today in a typical bar in Spain. 30 miles this morning at an average of just over 10 mph.

Coast ride

This mornings ride is along the coast road. Lots of cyclists including a race - all going past us. Beautiful scenary.

Day 4

Everyone is feeling well this morning, no real problems other than a few saw muscles. It is a bit damp and overcast this morning so we are expecting some rain. If all goes well we should make the Spanish/French border tonight.

Dinner in Lekeitio

The harbour in Lekeitio is just the kind of place we are looking for. There are serveral bars and restaurants aound the harbour. When we went to have dinner we found the restaurants closes and did not open until 9pm. We had to have another beer! We picked a fish restaurant that had octopus as a staterter which some of us had. Followed by a pea soup. Main courses included cod, hake and steak. Desert included creme brule and rice pudding . All of this washed down with a nice bottle of red wine and water.

Ride down to Lekeitio

First view of Lekeitio where we are staying tonight.

View from the top

Besides the dog, the view were worth the climb.

Big climb

After lunch we had a big climb to about 900 ft. It was worth while for Mike as he found a friend at the top!

Lunch in ???

After a long climb Mike found a nice local bar for lunch. Great views!

Coffee stop in Murgia

A nice run to Murgia. Not too hard. Lots of cyclists on the road and they are having some sort of festival in Murgia with different bands waking through the streets.

Day 3

Woke up to blue skies today. This is the big climbing day with 2 1000 ft climbs to do plus some smaller ones!!!

Dinner in Getxo.

We walked up into the old town to find somewhere to eat. When we eventually arrived in the old town there were lost of bars, lots of people, but we could only find one restaurant. As it turned out the restaurant and food were really good. The waitress was really friendly and kept coming back with her English-Spanish dictionary to translate the menu for us. Dinner tonight included a nice starter of smoked salmon and lettuce wiith a balsamic dressing followed by a parcel containing mushrooms in a nice sauce. Main courses were Angler fish or roast lamb followed by a desert and coffee. A nice walk back to the hotel included the view below of the beach where our hotel is.

End of day 2.

After Bilbao we cycled for another 11 miles to Getxo, much of it on a cycle track next to the main road and then a long run alongside the river to the ocean. Weather now sunny and warm. We found a hotel by the beach and after checking in had a couple of beers outside a cafe in the sunshine overlooking the beach. Now for a quick shower and find a restaurant for dinner.

We had our first mechanical problem today. Getting down to the beach required us to walk the bikes down some steps. Mike broke his chain!!

Lunch in Bilbao

After 40 miles and another 500 ft climb we reached Bilbao. We found the Guggenheim Museum and a cafe for lunch. After lunch Mike and John did a tour of the museum while Les and John looked after the bikes.

First real climb.

Straight after leaving Loredo we hit our first big climb. It was about 500 ft of climbing with some parts 1 in 10. So far no rain. The view back to Loredo was worth the climb - I think!

Start of second day

Woke up to see it was raining this morning. It stopped by the time we left, but are expecting some showers.

Dinner in Loredo

Found a nice restaurant for dinner. 3 of us ordered roast lamb. When it was served up it looked like they had cooked a whole lamb for us!

First day.

We made good progress today covering 41 miles. We had planned on only doing 32 miles to Santona, but as we made good time we carried on to Laredo, arriving about 5:30. Had to climb 2 reasonable hills today, but neither was too hard. We quickly found a hotel and are now showering and relaxing before dinner.

Had the first casualty today. Went down a ditch and over his handle bars. No real damage apart from his ego. Guess who? It was not either of the Johns or Mike!

Arrived in Santader.

Here we are arriving in Santander. The crossing was fairly smooth, a little choppy when we woke this morning but not too bad. The ferry arrived at mid-day. It took about 1 hour to unload and we were blocked in at the back. Started for real at about 1:15pm.

Test access using E71

Testing access from my Nokia E71 and upload of picture. What would you prefer - the Porsche or the Specialized?