- Distance: 131,22 km
- Vertical Ascent: 2.032 m
- No. of Named Cols: <TBC>
- Start Date & Time: 2019-10-05, 11:15
- Start Location: Ansó
- End Date & Time: 2019-10-05, 23:23
- End Location: Aínsa
- Time Moving: 6:38:25
- Moving Average: 19,8 km/h
- No. of Stops >3 Minutes: 13
Data: strava.com/activities/2767351189
After a waking streak of 46 hours, slept in today. Over breakfast I met some interesting people, and conversation took additional time away from what could have otherwise still been an early start. As I was then already going late, I wrote-off the day in my mind and spent additional time to prepare the bike, the journey and leave for the road:
- washed some stuff (to dry on the bike);
- thoroughly checked and maintained my bike;
- improved the packing of (mesh) bags (for drying kit while riding).
In Ansó, I found an excellent store selling delicacies and regional specialities. I was almost drooling over the presentation of pastries, jam, salami and cheese. Now I have enough individually wrapped snacks to serve me through today and probably tomorrow. While I won’t skip other opportunities to stuff myself — i.e. breakfast, the occasional coffee stop and dinner — this may help avoid losing time for shopping for anything but water … and for taking pictures.
Eventually got moving on the cobblestones of Ansó. Had to turn around though because one of my gloves went MIA. Found it, only meters from where I bought all the delicacies.
Cycling from Ansó in direction of Echo on the A-176, I got my first impression of the Spanish side of the Pyrenees during daylight. And it was hot. Too warm for my long-sleeve Merino base layer (worn as outer layer). Since it was a Saturday, even out here in the more remote regions, on a secondary road linking two rather small towns, it didn’t take long before a group of cyclists showed up on their training ride — while I was changing into summer kit on the Collada d’o Terit. Forgot to snap pictures of that location: of the stunning view as well as of the derelict pavilion and the graffiti adorning it.
Not long after Echo or “Hecho”, I turned into the A-2605, an even smaller rural road, still with really good tarmac, that took me into direction of Jasa. Meanwhile, the noise my rear wheel makes got annoyingly loud. Either I hadn’t noticed yesterday, or something was deteriorating. Or, and in hindsight I think that’s what happened: As the last part of the journey on the first day was mostly downhill, my pedaling as a cause for the noise was rare to non-existent. And before, there was probably some layer of TFE left from pre-race maintenance that had been washed-away by a full day in wet weather.
Although I had my rear wheel trued and spoke tension checked prior to the TPR, now the spokes seem to be acting up, rubbing against each other and producing a very audible noise on every pedal stroke. Trying to find a bike shop in the area is fruitless, the next one is probably in Jaca (think I might get there in the afternoon). Remedied the noise somewhat by squirting some Squirt onto the crossings, later brought myself to ignore it. That’s next level mental endurance exercise.
From Jasa, continued on the A-2605 over a mountain range towards Aísa. The ridges and peaks around top-out between 1.500 and 2.000 meters, with roads passing somewhat below the peak elevations, and ascending and descending from and to valleys at between 500 and 800 meters above sea level makes you appreciate frequent change in vegetation and appearance. Shortly before reaching the Loma de Aísa, a piece of cardboard/plastic blister packaging caught my eyes. Though “accidents” happen, it’s probably a good idea to remind us all to #LeaveNoTrace.
A very well maintained example of the typical, free-standing “refúgios” is situated on the Loma de Aísa, right at the summit of this stretch of road. Refúgios are public shelters in the mountainous regions where weather changes quickly and can be devastating at times. Good to have them as safe havens, just in case.
Once I reached the village itself, stopped in Aísa to refill my water bottles. Also got a double espresso and ice cream. At the local restaurant, the dog at the table next to mine was decidedly undecided whether to give in to the temptation and ask for cuddles or to shy away from this stranger in bib tights. I took the initiative and made a temporary friend who really enjoyed the attention to his furry, flappy ears.
Onwards to Jaca, I took one of the steepest detours yet, off the main road and through the center of the village of Borau. Can say I’m extremely happy with gearing and (cockpit and contact points) fit on my “FrankenBike”. So far, there was no climb or descent too steep and no terrain too rough to tackle while in the saddle. No need to dismount. After crossing another ridge to Aratorés, the ride went fast and smooth down the E-7/N-330.
The town of Jaca is a stark contrast to the surrounding villages and towns. With wide, tree-lined Avenidas, apartment buildings and a mix of modern and historical architecture, it gave birth to the former kingdom of Aragón, is the bustling capital of the Jacetania comarca and a cultural, administrative and also strategic center since at least the middle ages.
As I rolled through Jaca’s streets, no longer looking for a bike shop (… deemed it too late for that), I was instead looking to get myself something to eat and recharge my phone and the ROAM. I wanted to conserve the power bank for the night, as I had decided to continue into the dark, again. At the Plaza Biscós found a bar with a great choice of tapas and ordered a selection.
When I later left the bar and Jaca for the nearby mountains, the sun was setting and colored everything in beautiful, warm light. The most realistic goal for today was Aínsa. The woman at the reception of the hotel I had quickly researched online was very helpful and immediately confirmed my late check-in over the phone.
I first headed to the South-East on the Calle António Beltrán that then merged into the HU-V-3011, or the “Camino De La Val Estrecha”. This entire road runs alongside a low ridge in such a straight line, it likens one of those old, Roman roads, and it may well have been one. Even the old Tunnel connecting Sabiñago Alto to Sabiñánigo looked from another era.
Of this night’s ride, the only regret I have is that I couldn’t explore Janovas on the banks of the river Ara. It it one of those sites I discovered while plotting my TPR route, back in January. And when passing the area tonight, I heard water rushing through the rapids and echoed along the valley. Most of the journey to Aínsa I was watching stars on a clear sky during climbs, enjoying gorgeous, fast descents over bridges and through tunnels on the N-260, the Eje Pirenáico. There was only very little traffic, and motorists actually filed behind me instead of forcing an overtake. One van even slowed down beside me and the driver asked if I was alright. And I was — “¡Vale!”
I am now at the “Meson de L’Aínsa”, where I arrived right around my ETA. As I could take my bike with me to the room, I’m already preparing for a quick departure: Originally, my hope was to reach Aínsa by the end of day one! Reality check! ? But depending on how I feel tomorrow, I may still be able to make good for some of the time lost:
Need to find a way to recover from that pre-race stress while still making enough progress to not miss the cut.
Plan is to start earlier each day now and hopefully reach CP2 tomorrow (Sunday).
