Pilgrimage Day 20 - Hills and Wind Turbines!

The pedal pushers have now arrived in Molinaseca having travelled 32miles and climbed to 1504 meters.
The ride was reasonably hard work especially when they had a headwind (again) but was doable. When at the top Ben called Luke and was saying that they had done thfirst climb and the minnute they set of off the .... rain came down going down hill and you couldn't see a .... thing, and coming downhill wasn't all downhill you suddenly had a sharp uprise, you are in the clouds and you can't see when to pedal and when not to, Ben had to get off and walk and Paul did as well.
Prior to that, as they were ascending the hill, they were overtaken by seven lorries carrying the parts to build a wind turbine. This was interesting as Ben pulled over after the first thinkning that was it but the lorries carrying the blades came along and to get the lorrise around the hairpin bends the following van pulled up and a chap got out to remotely control the rear of the vehiles whilst in contact with the driver by radio. Paul has some picture and we will hopefully receive them when the get a WiFi connection. So on the steepest hill they had to do they got these .... overtaking you.
Paul was given a key ring by one of the lorry drivers with thename of the company - an unusal souvenier that Paul will be able to remember today with. An unusaul token that can't be bought in the local souvenier shops!
On the descent Paul was ahead and Ben caught up with him on a bend, Paul had had a ... blowout on the tyre that was fitted in France. Paul had a foldup tyre and did a briliiant job of getting it fixed, Ben admits that he would have been .... if it was him - the only assistance he could give Paul was to hold the back end of the bike up to stop the chain getting covered in ..... By the time they had fixed it, it had stopped raining and they were now coming into El Acebo.
All the books reccomend that cyclists get off and walk and isn;t rideable. Ben's opinion is that anyone who tries to cycle wants their heads testing. The whole of the road is concrete and there is a gutter running down the middle where there are cobbles sticking up in herring bone fashion runing into the main central gutter and are lethal to add to this there are cobbles sticking up out of the concrete - .... lethal and no way you could cycle on it. There is a monument to a German cyclist who was killed in 1987 - chilling stuff!
The descent into Molinaseca was a steep hairpin bend and Paul has some good pictures of Ben on the descent. The place is lovely but totally dependant on Pilgrim's without who, the place would be .....
As they arrived the first hostelry was full and as they walked along the road there was chap sitting on a chair who pointed to a sign offering a bed for the night - bingo a nice twin room that is great for the intrepid duo to rest their wary souls for the night. They have had an excellent Pilgrim's meal (more free wine!) and it is a lovely feeling walking round the town. They have visited the river and Roman bridge but aparently haven't been for a dip in the swimming hole!
The river is dammed up but isn't at the moment and Ben thinks it would be very nice as the water is clean and fresh as it is constantly being changed - but it will be cold even in Summer!
Paul is going to double check his wheel and brakes before they set off tomorrow as he is concerned over the causes of the blowout - best to be safe than sorry! The hills tomorrow are steeper than todays and steeper than France so if they have to walk up then they will. There are some cyclists with follow vehicles and a group of german walkers with a coach! Paul says it is down to your personal acievement and he is not worried about what they are doing - he can live with his and Ben's achievement. Totally agree their achievement is top notch and a very personal one to each of them and we can all say 'Very well done' without a doubt!
They have about 150 miles to go and should arrive in Santiago on Saturday - barring any problems.
Ben mentioned that Jenny got drenched in Santiago again today and had problems with the hire car - should have got a bike!
Ben is suffering with a split lip and is blaming him possibly sounding p....d on the phone - nothing to do with the free wine. Paul has apprently left a trial of blood on pillows since Dieppe from a slit lip he had that cleared up a feew days ago, Ben's is taking a bit linger!
That's it for tonight look out for the next installment tomorrow...


Malcolm.