Mountain stages ... Incredible!

The last three stages have been nothing short of amazing. Stage 6 took us from Girona to Barcelona, where Fred and I drove along the coast of the Mediterranean. However, the coast wasn’t the beach, it was high in the cliffs. Dave bombed through it like a pro. Several tunnels, outstanding views, yes – topless beaches (though far below), quaint towns. However, when we got to Granollers, we all got so lost we had to stop. It was late, we had made many errors and Dave had the mileage in anyway. There was no way we were going into the city so we stopped and finally found Dave (thank goodness for cell phones!) at the racetrack (Circuit de Catalaya) outside the city.

Stage 7 started outside Terrassa – again, we were not starting in the city as Terressa was confusing enough!! And headed north to Andorre Arcalis in the principality of Andorra. Dave hopped on and Fred and I went to view the monestary of Montserrat, which wasn’t far. After a hair-raising climb – 1,236 m above sea level – we viewed one of the most beautiful cathedrals and complexes I’ve ever seen with a panoramic that I thought could go forever. We didn’t stay long as Dave’s day included 1 Cat 4 climb, 2 Cat 3 climbs, a Cat 1 climb and a HC (unrated, because it’s so dang difficult) to finish the day. We sped ahead and met him outside Solsona and along the Cat 1 Col de Serra-Seca climb and descent. Again, talk about picturesque!! We got through the Cat 1 climb and descent (both Dave, Fred and I) when it started to cloud up. One thing we’ve discovered is that storms in the Pyrenees come in quickly and can be devastating. Fred and I had stopped, alarmed by how dark it was getting, at the bottom of this awesome descent. It started to sprinkle, then rain. Dave caught us and climbed in. Then the rain hit. Not just any rain, RAIN! Hail, wind, the ditches filled instantly. Apparently, that’s what happens in the Pyrenees! It kept on going, too. He still had 70k to go to Andorra, but after 1 ½ hours of waiting and Dave chilling, we called it quits. We camped overnight there – in Organya – had dinner and wine, early to bed.

We started Tuesday in Organya so Dave could finish the awesome climb to Andorra. And awesome it was. Andorra, another small principality, is unique. Very touristy, cheap and busy when you first enter the border, but as you go up toward the ski hill, which is what Aracalis is, it’s full of beautiful, alps-type villages. But it’s steep! And, not surprising, Dave completed the entire HC climb. So proud!! Then he hopped in the car and we went back to Andorra and started Stage 8. He did the climb from Andorra to the top of the ski hill at the French border (the next climb). Awesome! However, as we waited for him, the clouds started to come in - we were up high enough for it to be in another weather system. He got to the top around 5 p.m. and it was about 48 degrees! As he started down the mountain, toward Aux Les Therme, the fog was so heavy, you couldn't see more than 50 feet ahead. Finally, it got so dangerous, we made him get in the mo-ho until we got out of the fog, which was after we got over the Andorra border. We finally let him out and he descended into Aux des Therme.

That's where the story gets interesting again ... see the next entry....
- Julie