Malaga Day 8

Day 8

The last day of riding for me, and it was decided that I should do the 24km climb up into the mountains from San Pedro. This is a smallish town as you leave Marbella to travel North to the high ground.

The team once again was split. Paul and Karl a little tired stayed near to the camp and did some small rides with the Rapha Condor riders. They also had the pleasure of watching them compete in a practice time trial. I would of liked to have been there for that, but the hills needed me, apparently!

Dan now feeling better from a 24hr sickness bug was raring to go, and he and Adam once again were to do the climb. It looks like this pairing will possibly be the nominated climbers for the RAAM. We made the decision to leave the van in San Pedro allowing myself and Marco to join them.

Off we went, this particular climb begins right at the start. It wasn't long before I was at the back on my own, a position I'm very familiar with when climbing. The gradient was constant, there was no real let up at all. The roads were of excellent quality and the layout was typically twisting like an alpine route. Looking at my Garmin I would say that the climb at anytime was between 6% and 12%. Not as steep as some of the small hills that we climb back home in Surrey, but none of those extend for 24km!

1 Hour & 33 Minutes later I arrived at the top. Marco was a minute or so ahead of me, and the RAAM pair were a couple of minutes ahead of him. Not bad really, and although extremely hard cycling it was nonetheless very enjoyable and most satisfying.

Very windy at the top, it was a very quick turnaround and the same route back to the van. At speeds of up to 60/70 km it would have been exhilarating had it not been so windy. At times I found it frightening, so much rubber was worn by applying the brakes nearly all the way down.

Less than half an hour back to the van, and then a much deserved coffee.

Not sure which I dread more now, the climbing, or the fast descending. This would be a natural choice for most, but for me, well I'm less likely to get killed climbing at such low speeds.