We wake up to bright sunshine and warm temps. We have a quick breakfast in the hotel and then depart at 9:30 – our earliest departure time ever for the trip; we’re finally getting the technique down… Dave sags for day.Everyone is cheery and in good spirits. We get lost only a couple of times as we try to wind our way through the various villages to Cerbère. But hey, this the Mediterranean coast of France; we don’t mind. After some good-natured ribbing thrown Dick’s way, we find our way to the coast and meander our way to Cerbère.
The traffic out of Céret is horrible – just like the first day out of Hendaye. We’re finally out of traffic after 20 km. and into the low hills.
The planned profile says we mostly descend from 300m to 0 with a small climb 80m. Ha! We end up doing 580m of climbing for the day. Since we stay off the main roads and in the low hills we constantly climb and descent, climb and descend. We finally hit the coast after 40 km. and the temperature gets very warm….
The views of the Mediterranean are fantastic, but unfortunately there is lots of traffic. We travel along an ‘N’ road for 20 km to Cerbère. The road goes up and down, up and down…. We meet probably 20 or so cyclists in the last 25 km going in the opposite direction. Maybe they’re starting the Raid Pyreneen and heading west?
Cerbère!
There is not much in Cerbère. I think guide book says the only reason to stop in Cerbère is for the official end of the trip. From the short time we walk around time, I think the five of us also lower the average age of the people by 20 years or so….
We complete the traditional wheel dipping (sort of) into the sea on a rather rocky beach, and the (warm) champagne flows freely.
First, Robin:
Dick:
Terry:
Dave:
Russ:
And the group:
We rest a bit, eat whatever is left in the back of the van for lunch, pack up the bikes and head for the hotel. The hotel is 10 km back up the road from whence we came. No one is really anxious to get back on their bikes after champagne and beer and climbing back over the last hill to the hotel so we load the bikes onto the car and drive back to hotel.
We then have to remove them to store them in the garage. Maybe it would’ve been easier to just ride back….
The advertised length of trip was to be 800 km total, but robin says he road 700 km for his portion; he sagged three times at 40 km each, so total was 820 km. He logged 50,000 ft (15,240m) of climbing, again, for 4/5 of route, so that makes 19,050m of total climbing for the trip. We have dinner in the hotel, classic french cuisine, enjoy lots of beer and wine and lots of reminiscing.
End of day 10. Statistics:
- Start: Céret
- End: Cerbère
- Distance: 54 km
- Climbs: Nothing noted or planned
- Total gain: Advertised -300m – Actual 540m