Day One: Collioure to Pals

….with Pals!

An early morning start…and a photo to prove it!

Myself, Corey and Iain…..ready to go!

And we made it…a double-ton ride as well (our own expression for day of more than 100km AND more than 1,000m of ascent.)

A nervous day for me…..as I wondered how long the most recent repair would last!!

Bottoms were a primary focus. For all of us really…but for Corey and Iain in particular, as five hours in the saddle simply hurts…until you get used to it!!

A beautiful sunny day down the familiar coast to Port Bou in Spain. My regular cigarette run! (Ciggies cost around 6 euros a pack in Spain, 12 in France….and around 26.50 in NZ….Do not get me started on that nonsense of taxing – generally – the poorest members of NZ society!).

This is us on the Spanish border…..just 80 minutes into the ride!….looking down on Portbou. Coffee here…and shortly thereafter we headed inland…..on to some lovely off-road tracks and trails. Mr Google excelled himself!!

Pals itself is a lovely wee town, with a stunning medieval quarter…so at the end of our first day…what better way to celebrate than with a couple of beers in the afternoon sun!

We then got lost trying to find our slightly out-of-town accommodation….without which detour….we would not have achieved our double ton!!

Gorgeous house!

Three tired puppies…then drank too much beer…..and ate…and slept…..and forgot to take photos!

2 Comments

  1. Mungo

    Start as you mean to go on – a healthy diet of cigs, coffee, beer and bacon to anaesthetise the more immediate needs of more vulnerable bodily extremities. Good to see the early start . . . I know Iain’s not a good sleeper! Have a great trip.

  2. IAN

    Great Beaker impression!

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