Stage 1
STAGE 1 - Friday 26th September
Biarritz to St Jean Pied de Port - 87 kms - 458 metres
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The first day! Today was a relatively easy ride in the Pays Basque with an easy 458m climb. It was the last we would see of Biarritz as we cycled through the villages of Guethary and Ahetze before reaching Ascain, which is a pretty village by a river where we climbed to the first Col, St Ignace (3.5 km, 169 m, 4.3%) and then Col De Pinodieta (3.5 km 176 m, 1.6%). The roads were narrow towards Itxassou as you’ll see by the video. We followed the wide river through the village of Laxia which was full of traditional red and white Basque buildings. The roads became windy with many bends which made it difficult to gather speed until we reached the main road again which then went straight through to the St Jean Pied de Port circa.
St Jean de Port Circa is only 10 km from the Spanish border. It is the old capital of the traditional Basque province of Nafarroa Beherea (Basse-Navarre) and sits on the river Nive. Lovely village with cobbled streets, a roman bridge and ancient balconied town houses. We we’re welcomed like royalty by the locals with great food and a full on band who sang for us and drank with us too. We had a good few glasses of wine before hitting the sack. Knackered. Can’t believe this is the easier day “by far” as our guide, French Fred told us. Gutted we are!!
WARM UP
Biarritz - Anglet - Bayonne - Biarritz - 40 km - Flat
Friday 26th September was supposed to be a gentle introduction to the cycle challenge with a simple Biarritz to Anglet and then onto Bayonne and finally Biarritz again on a simple 40 km Flat with the idea of getting to know how each other cycle and getting the hang of the bikes and the rhythm.
It was a good start, but not a great start to the blog as there was no internet connection at the evening stop off, so video clips and photography have not been uploaded. However these will all come at the next opportunity!
