velodyssey 8: bayonne and the basque country to hendaye ... · clothing. also it is not ola here...
TRANSCRIPT
Velodyssey 8: Bayonne and the Basque country To Hendaye and San Sebastian
GPS data: Distance: 195km; Avg
speed: 14.7 km/h; Max speed:51 km/h;
Elevation gain: 2106m; Elevation loss:
2112m; Max elevation:528m; Time:
13:11:52.
There is a dramatic change in
landscape but also in the route when
the velodyssey reaches Bayonne.
Traffic free, nice and easy dedicated cycle lanes are now something of the past; it is back to reality in the Pyrenees.
Day 17: (124km) the first half of the journey is similar to before and goes through
the pine forest. At Bayonne a friend from skiing holidays, Bruno is
joining me at the train station. Bayonne feels a bit like
London for cycling, the sign says end of the velodyssey
and continue on a busy road with white half erased
white bands on one side. After Bayonne there are still
quite a few more roads with heavy traffic but also
some coastal secondary roads. A big difference are
the hills, I forgot how hard it is to go up but how fast
when it goes down. The last section on the road to
Hendaye follows the rocky shore with overhanging cliffs and
magnificent views of the sea, but again very heavy traffic with mostly tourists. One
of the favourite place before arrival is the Abbadia castle and its park. The park is a
heaven for wildlife and amazing landscape of the sea with the Pyrenees in the
Gironde estuary
Pilat Dune
Courant d’Huchet biscarosse
Arcachon bay Lacanau
Mimizan Leon
Leon San Sebastian Hendaye Bayonne
Jaizkibel
pass
Jaizkibel
hill
background. During spring the meadows are covered with Serapia orchids. Finish with a well deserve downhill to the
beach. Here the sea is much calmer and swimming is very enjoyable. Forgot yes it is meant to be the finishing line of
the velodyssey, well we did not see any sign and we crossed the bridge to Spain, there are also no sign on how to carry
on the journey into Spain. I always remember to visit the old Jubaea palm in the centre of the new Hendaye which is
loaded with fruits this year and Bruno did not look properly at the train timetable so he is stuck in Hendaye, never
mind hungry it is time to eat.
Day 18: (71km) Today Bruno finally managed to get back home and I decide to go further into Spain for the last day. If Bayonne was a shock
for cyclists then Spain is a nightmare. Though there are some cycle lanes they are very sketchy and often end on 4 lanes road with no
other choice than going through. Nevertheless the change of culture and country is great until the mountain comes to me, 455 m to
climb starting from sea level. Though tough toughhhhh I am still sweating. The road going up to
Jaizkibel has very little traffic and is used by many cyclists; it seems that it is a race track as there are many signs
on the road. I look very out of tune with my panniers and tent when the Spanish all have racing bicycles and
clothing. Also it is not Ola here but Aupa, we are in Basque country. Going down to San Sebastian is great but a bit scary, down 455
m in 15 minutes and from 15 degrees at the top to 33 degrees at the bottom, my ears are still buzzing with the noise of the
wind brushing past the ears. Again at the bottom is a mixture of very good cycle lanes and ……motorways and nothing to join them
just go for it. San Sebastian and its famous beach, no swim just time to be there, eat a Basque cake and go back because need to climb this £%$£%$£lovely
hill^%£$&^£% again on the way back; made it to the top at 528m high.
The end