Velodyssey 8: Bayonne and the Basque country To Hendaye and San Sebastian

GPS data: Distance: 195km; Avg

speed: 14.7 km/h; Max speed:51 km/h;

Elevation gain: 2106m; Elevation loss:

2112m; Max elevation:528m; Time:

13:11:52.

There is a dramatic change in

landscape but also in the route when

the velodyssey reaches Bayonne.

Traffic free, nice and easy dedicated cycle lanes are now something of the past; it is back to reality in the Pyrenees.

Day 17: (124km) the first half of the journey is similar to before and goes through

the pine forest. At Bayonne a friend from skiing holidays, Bruno is

joining me at the train station. Bayonne feels a bit like

London for cycling, the sign says end of the velodyssey

and continue on a busy road with white half erased

white bands on one side. After Bayonne there are still

quite a few more roads with heavy traffic but also

some coastal secondary roads. A big difference are

the hills, I forgot how hard it is to go up but how fast

when it goes down. The last section on the road to

Hendaye follows the rocky shore with overhanging cliffs and

magnificent views of the sea, but again very heavy traffic with mostly tourists. One

of the favourite place before arrival is the Abbadia castle and its park. The park is a

heaven for wildlife and amazing landscape of the sea with the Pyrenees in the

Gironde estuary

Pilat Dune

Courant d’Huchet biscarosse

Arcachon bay Lacanau

Mimizan Leon

Leon San Sebastian Hendaye Bayonne

Jaizkibel

pass

Jaizkibel

hill

background. During spring the meadows are covered with Serapia orchids. Finish with a well deserve downhill to the

beach. Here the sea is much calmer and swimming is very enjoyable. Forgot yes it is meant to be the finishing line of

the velodyssey, well we did not see any sign and we crossed the bridge to Spain, there are also no sign on how to carry

on the journey into Spain. I always remember to visit the old Jubaea palm in the centre of the new Hendaye which is

loaded with fruits this year and Bruno did not look properly at the train timetable so he is stuck in Hendaye, never

mind hungry it is time to eat.

Day 18: (71km) Today Bruno finally managed to get back home and I decide to go further into Spain for the last day. If Bayonne was a shock

for cyclists then Spain is a nightmare. Though there are some cycle lanes they are very sketchy and often end on 4 lanes road with no

other choice than going through. Nevertheless the change of culture and country is great until the mountain comes to me, 455 m to

climb starting from sea level. Though tough toughhhhh I am still sweating. The road going up to

Jaizkibel has very little traffic and is used by many cyclists; it seems that it is a race track as there are many signs

on the road. I look very out of tune with my panniers and tent when the Spanish all have racing bicycles and

clothing. Also it is not Ola here but Aupa, we are in Basque country. Going down to San Sebastian is great but a bit scary, down 455

m in 15 minutes and from 15 degrees at the top to 33 degrees at the bottom, my ears are still buzzing with the noise of the

wind brushing past the ears. Again at the bottom is a mixture of very good cycle lanes and ……motorways and nothing to join them

just go for it. San Sebastian and its famous beach, no swim just time to be there, eat a Basque cake and go back because need to climb this £%$£%$£lovely

hill^%£$&^£% again on the way back; made it to the top at 528m high.

The end