Day 4 - Ainsa to Bourg Madame
Day 4 - Ainsa to Bourg Madame
Saturday 24/06/2023
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Three countries in one day
Slept well despite the warm night. Today promised more great riding and the opportunity to do more of the N260 before taking the superb road into Andorra and the highest pass in the Pyrenees which leads into France.
We set out a little earlier than yesterday, but still a bit later than we could have done. I ate a melted chocolate bar for breakfast and put on a wet T shirt that I washed last night. With temperatures over 30C riding in a wet shirt keeps you cool for at least an hour.
We left Ainsa on the N260 and found the road was closed at Campo. This was frustrating as we were forced to take a diversion on the HU-9601 / A1605 but it was a blessing in the end as we rode through a stunning gorge and empty twisty mountain roads.
We re joined the N260 just before a superb section to El Pont de Suert. We flew through this bit and continued toward Sort, taking in a number of high passes with a couple of short stops. We then rode through Parc Natural Alt Pirineu where we stopped to sit on a bench on one of the mountain passes with a great view.
We then dropped down to La Sea d'Urgell where we took the road up to Andorra. We filled-up with fuel as Konrad was running a bit low and the prices are cheaper than elsewhere. I also bought a cheap bottle of local red for €3.20. The sold massive bottles of spirits that must have been over 7 litres in size. Only around €100 so quite good value.
Andorra itself was pretty busy and crowded. We attempted to find a restaurant in the capital and just outside of it in Ordino, but in the end we just ended-up moving on over the Col d'Ordino which was a great road going up to 2000m with spectacular views. It remained hot at this altitude and we were all flagging a bit so as we went down the other side of the pass we stopped for coffees at Borda del Pi which was probably the most picturesque restaurant surrounded by mountains and lovely views in each direction that I have ever seen. There was a lady singing and it was hard to make ourselves leave this place. World class venue.
We descended down the valley traversing the rest of Andorra and then went over the Pas de la Casa at 2400m. The weather here was much nicer. We topped-up with cheap fuel again and watched cars drifting around the race track that they randomly have up here.
We went down the other side, eventually crossing into France and admiring the views. We headed to Bourg Madame but diverted to see Llivia, a small exclave of Spain that is within France. Nice enough place with lots of restaurants but we turned around as Leon was exhausted due to lack of food and made it to the nearest campsite via a supermarket.
Konrad cooked us loads of random stuff he bought in the shop and we feasted and drank everything we had.
Fantastic riding, but we all feel tired due to the heat, concentration needed and due to the lack of food. Tomorrow we need to eat and drink more and perhaps have more breaks in the shade. Probably the best riding I have done since I was last here 8 years - the roads and the whole experience is that good. I could live here.
Fines: 0 (possibly 2 in the post)
Bribes: 0 (£45 tolls)
Ass pain: 5/10
Mechanical issues: 1 Puncture, 1 lost toolbox cover
Accidents: 0
Wetness: 0/10
Coldness: 0/10
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