We began the day by following a cycle path that started right outside our hotel in Pamplona and went almost straight downhill to the Arga river. We slightly overshot our planned starting point of Parque Fluvial de Pamplona but were able connect up with it just a couple of kilometres further along. We then followed the river path on a mix of cement and crushed rock surfaces for about 10 kms until we arrived at the town of Ororbia. The Parque Fluvial is the same cycle route that we rode to enter Pamplona and is about 26kms in length. We crossed back and forth the Arga on many different types of bridges and found the route to be a great way to get in and out of the city.
Pat is on the sidewalk as we needed to get around the street washer cleaning the bike lane. The gates on the city wall are in the background.
McAuto is the McDonalds drive through in Spain. Pat thought that she might like to try an egg McMuffin over here but at 10 am they were closed without any people or staff in sight. We guess that morning breakfasts at McDonalds is not a thing over here!
A few kilometres beyond Ororbia, a rock bluff came into view. The road started to climb up towards it. The asphalt surface was great and there was also zero traffic on the road. We steadily climbed the 5-8% grade enjoying the great views. The ride took a turn for the worse as we were swarmed by small black flies .... maybe gnats? Sorry no pictures but we ate a few! Thankfully, they did not bite but they loved our sweaty bodies and in particular the bag that Pat carries our lunch in on her front handlebars. They became so bad that Pat felt like she was being tortured! We stopped and removed the front bag and strapped it to Scott`s rear rack. If it was the bag attracting the flies, at least they would be at his back. Riding uphill we could not outrun the little buggers! However, they did seem to come and go at various sections of the road and were no longer in sight when we reached the top of the 400 metre climb.
We were on our way to Estella-Lizarra. In this area, towns frequently have two hyphenated names. The first is Spanish and the second is Basque. Estella is on the Camino route as well as the cycling route EV3. Both are south of the route that the tour planner has organized for us. We only saw a few other roadies looking to challenge themselves on the big hill, but everyone passed with a friendly ¨OLA!¨. The scenery just got better and better and we were so pleased to have come this way!
A separate part of the ridge that we thought had three climbers on it. Closer inspection showed that they were trees, but we could hear the voices of climbers up there somewhere.
Bill ShaneyfeltClimber with blue shirt not quite half way up just above the little bush on the right. Possibly the overhead belay operator at the top. Reply to this comment 7 months ago
Scott FenwickThanks Bill. I was looking in the wrong place expecting them to be in sunshine! I see them now. Reply to this comment 7 months ago
The peak was just beyond our lunch stop. Two brothers from the Netherlands stopped and chatted with us. On the way way out they took this picture for us.
After lunch it was a fast ride down from the top of the hill on route to Estella. The road continued to be most enjoyable but we had one last hill to conquer before reaching our destination. Without shade and our water bottles filled with the last of our water, we endured some pain under the hot sun to make it to the top. The final downhill was welcomed and as we entered the main street the time clocks flashed just after 3 pm and a temperature of 27 degrees.
We met our host in front of our apartment and after organizing our things headed to a nearby bar for a much deserved cervesa. Dinner was a bit more of a challenge as we were likely too early. The bars/restaurants patios were full of people socializing but no one was eating. We settled on a diner in the main plaza that provided us with a plate of pasta and a bowl of vegetable stew. Neither was outstanding but neither was the price. They did fill us both up and we headed off to bed.
Today's ride: 53 km (33 miles) Total: 616 km (383 miles)
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Rachael AndersonGreat photos! Ive had the same problems with the bugs when I get to sweaty. Climbing Mount Ventoux I was constantly swatting away the flys. Reply to this comment 7 months ago
