730MILES / 1175km IN 7 DAYS | CARRASQUETA CLIMB | 200KM RIDE IN SPAIN

Great way to end a week of long rides with the Carrasqueta climb – This has to be a top 10 climb for me.

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Hola, buenos das. It’s my last big day here in Spain. It’s day number seven. I’m here with Esco RCC who very kindly invited me and have been doing all my routes for me. Although I might not be thanking them today because I’m doing a 200k and David told me last night he was going to plan me a more flat route. Well, it’s 127 miles. So 204k with over 9,000 ft of climbing. Now David, in my book that’s not flat. But anyway, he wants to send me up the cariset cariseta climb which is used apparently used a lot in the walter and it’s beautiful. So I’ll trust him on that. That’s not till 63 miles in. So got a bit of a way to go to get there yet and a few hills to tackle first. I’m feeling a little bit tired if I’m totally honest, but I’m excited for today. The sun’s out. Make the most of it and then a nice steadier ride with the group tomorrow which I’ll be ready for. So yeah, but I’m doing these big miles to train for my Tour to France challenge, which is in 9 weeks time. So it’s going to be a lot harder than what I’ve done these last seven days. So I’ve just got to get on with today and be positive. Let’s go. And I am off. And I’m already sensing it’s going to be a beautiful day. I’ve got 17 climbs to tackle today according to mate GI. And I’m just about to start the first one, which is 850 ft, but it’s a nice gentle one. 5 mi long. My back pockets are fully loaded today. Don’t know if you can see that, but I’ve got bananas, two sandwiches, three bars, two packs of shoes, dates. I’m making sure that I eat enough today. I do not want to get hangry. So, yeah, plenty to keep me going. So, I shouldn’t need a cafe stop today. Keep eating on the go. My plan is to stop and eat my big sandwich. Hello, mate. My plan is to stop and eat my big sandwich um at the top of the big climb as a little reward. Hopefully there’ll be a nice view as well. Oh, I’m on a little cycle path. This is nice. This is lovely. Very nice compared to the cycle path in the UK. You’re lucky if you get one without a pothole on. I feel really good now that I’m on the bike to be totally honest. Three days ago, uh, third day in, I wore some bib shorts that I don’t normally wear. Big mistake. And they gave me a little bit of a like rubbing in a wrong area. So, like the last three days, I’ve actually been in a little bit of pain while I’ve been cycling cuz once you get a bit of a sore starting, it’s kind of like a bit too late. So, I’ve been using loads of shammy cream and just grinning and bearing it. But, I’ve got my um Santini shorts on today that I’ll be wearing. the same padding, same style, but with pockets in for tour to France. And I feel they do feel much better. But I am still in a little bit of pain just because obviously once you get a bit of a rub, it’s still going to rub. So try not to think about it, but it does feel better than yesterday. Oh, and some exciting news. So I designed a jersey with Santini that I’m going to be wearing for my tour to France, and it’s on sale now. Um, I can’t remember on the top off the top of my head when it’s on sale until I’ll put it in writing on the screen. Um, so if you want to buy one, £5 goes to the charity. I’m sorry. They’re quite expensive, but no, I don’t get any money from them. It goes to Santini and they’re doing all my kit for Tour to France, so it’ll cover that. So yeah, if you want to wear the same jersey as me. Um, yeah, I’ll put a link in the description, but no pressure at Well, I know cycling’s really expensive and just having you watch along and you know, if I’m struggling on tour to France, just knowing that people are watching and cheering me hopefully will help. But um if you want to get a jersey, feel free. Kyle will definitely be wearing one, too. That’s a sign you love to see. Hey, climb Terminado. One banana down. I’ve still got one left to go. Emergency banana eaten on the way up there. That was not easy. Going to be totally honest. Sorry fellas. Time of the month read. It’s pretty head this morning. So I’m struggling a little bit with backachche and a bit of stomach ache. But try not to think about it. Keep on going because when I tour to France that could happen. So it’s probably a good thing really. Just got to get on with it. Sometimes it’s not easy being a woman. I’m on a 500 ft climb now and I’ve just eaten a blueberry uh jam sandwich. So hopefully not got any blueberry around my mouth, but that will keep me going for a little bit. And I’ve got two big bad boy climbs coming up. A 900 another 900 ft one. Then the biggest one of the day, the 1,800 ft burner. So sweet relief. Another climb bites the dust. Right. Well, I’m 47 miles in. I’ve got 77 miles to go. Just had to hop off for a quick we cuz I thought I can’t go any longer without a we and I’ve got a big climb coming up. So, it looks like I’ve got like a 900 ft climb, then a big yippy, and then I’ll be going up the big one. So, but the Scottish men that I met earlier in the week, when they came over, apparently they said it’s the best climb and like the favorite climb I’ve ever done. So, I’ve got high hopes for this one. I’m looking forward to it now. Actually, I’ve just whacked a load of dates down as well. Getting the sugar in. Got two electrolyte tablets in each bottle to make sure that I keep it going in. So, yeah, let’s crack on. Or should I say crank on. Okay, let’s go. I’ve just seen a sign. There was actually a name for this climb. Something Porto de Benifalim or something. I’m not very good at my Spanish. 915 ft and 3 mi long. So on ratio it’s harder than the cariscotta climb that I’m doing later. Although it’s shorter in height, it’s steeper. So go knuckle down and get on with it. Up we go. Me and Penny on the road. It’s beautiful. 2K to go. Come on little leggers. You can do it. Keep spinning. Oh, it’s so gorgeous. Hey, we made it. Puerto de Bellalum. That’s how you say it. 1,50 m up in the sky. I’m going to save my top of the hill dance for the next one. So, I’ve got about I don’t know. Let’s have a look. Let’s have a look what we’ve got coming up. This is actually quite handy that I do. I like to look look at the climbs and see what I’ve got coming. So, next climb is that’s the big one. 1,857 ft. 8 mi long. It’s in 9 miles time. So, I’ve got a big yippy. Relax a bit. Get some sugar in and then we go again. Let’s do this. I was just thinking actually I should get a sticker, shouldn’t I? I know it would be really funny. I’ve got a really funny photo of Kyle. I might get it printed into stickers for to France and then stick his little photo on the top at each climb. That would be hilarious. Although he’s going to watch this video and then he’ll know. But he doesn’t know what photo I’ve got. I’m going to do that. [Applause] Woohoo! It goes on and on and on. Yoohoo! I’m riding along. Oh, whippers snapper. Oh, hello. Hello. Didn’t realize the camera was on. Hello down there. Sorry, I was just thinking to myself. Oh, jeez. And the climb has started. 1,857 ft to climb. 8.1 miles long. Vinos. No, I won’t be vomining today. Keeping it nice and steady. Tapping my way up there. Twiddling my way up. Focusing on that feeling when I get to the top. And just enjoy the climb. That’s where I’m heading. So, by the looks of it, I’m heading right up there. There’s like a road I can see on that ridge. So, a long way up to go, but we’ll get there. Nice views and it’s really nice. A nice average gradient of 5%. So nice and steady. No speed demon mode today. Just mountain goat. A nice old mountain goat going nice and slow. 850 ft left to climb. I’ve got to say this climb is so nice. It’s so beautiful. I’m just happy. Started from the bottom realm here. Hey, you can see the road I was on down there. snaking my way up. Not too long to go now. I’m in love with this climb. It’s gorgeous. Look at that. 2 miles to go. 470 ft left to climb. The final bit and then big sandwich at the top and a top of the hill dance. You just look at that view and it makes it all worth it. Isn’t nature just blooming brilliant? I’m nearly there. 0.3 miles to go. 55 ft left to climb. Burn, baby. Burn. Hey. Hey, we made it. Port Kariseta. Kariseta. 1,020 m up in the air. Bravo. Someone else come the other side. Oh, it’s so nice here. It’s beautiful. Penny’s happy. We made it up in one piece. I think sometimes you can like build up a climb in your head and think, “Oh, I can’t do it. It’s going to be really hard.” But that was so beautiful. I’d go down and do it again to be honest with you. I’d have to come back and do it with Kyle. But look at this. There’s some benches up here. So, I’m going to go and sit and have my sandwich there with a nice view. But first things first, top of the hill dance time. I think you can see me. Look. You might not be able to. I hope you can see me. Highest point of the day. Oh, this is the life. Getting to the top of a climb. There’s a bench. There’s a choice of benches. I mean, there’s plenty for everyone, but there’s only me. I’m not reingesting my sweat today cuz Emil impacted my sandwich in tin foil for me. Unlike me yesterday, I put mine in paper tissue. Not a good idea. And Penny’s in view and shining. There’s I think that’s Yeah, that’s the sea over there. Is that the sea? Yeah, looks like it is. It’s not very clear, so you can’t fully see, but it’s really nice. I just feel so calm here sometimes. I’m sorry I speak really fast cuz my mind is always racing. Like I’ve got one of those minds where I lie in bed at night. Instead of switching off, it switches on and it’s even faster in the day. So, I try and speak slowly, but I find it easier to be slower when I’m in a place like this cuz it’s just so Yeah. Just makes you realize like how how much there is in the world to explore that we don’t know about. And I just love how how calming nature is. And the best thing about nature is it’s free. I mean, it’s not free to come out here and do this. I know that. you know, wherever local that you have that’s got trees and grass and greenery, just going and sitting outside. It just Yeah, I think it does the world of God. It does for me. Anyway, anyway, I’m going to stop yapping on. I’m going to eat me snee and I’ve only got 55 miles to go, so only just over a club ride. Right. Well, I’ve had my sandwich. It’s digesting in my gullet. And although I could stay here for hours, I’ve got to roll on. I’ve got to keep going. But I’m really happy because the hardest bit of the ride’s done in the first bit according to mate Gi if he’s going to load up. I’ve done so I’ve done 69 miles. So that’s over 100k about 104k something like 103k. Don’t play silly burgers. Now I’ve climbed 6,923 ft and I’ve got 2330 ft left in 55 miles. So really easy compared to what I’ve done. So, I’m really happy about that. Just going to enjoy the rest of this. This is my last bit of solo time while I’m here, actually, cuz tomorrow I’m going to ride with the group, do a bit of recovery, and yeah, it’s been weird to have so much time on my own. And I thought I’ I don’t know. I thought I’d find it a lot harder, but actually, I’ve really I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve really missed Kyle, though. I’ve missed my wingman, but it is nice to have a bit of time on your own, although I would prefer to have Kyle here. I think it’s taught me that I can do stuff on my own and that it’s not actually scary as you think and people are nice. Like I’ve seen met so many nice people. A lizard. Little lizard. Hello little fella. Hello. Hello. Didn’t scare you. I’ve seen I’ve met so many nice people and the Spanish men that I met that gave me sun cream. When I was coming up this climb, I didn’t get it on camera, but people were driving past and clapping and cheering as I was coming up. So, it’s really nice. And like Emilyn and David who own Escobar where I’m staying, they’re absolutely lovely. Like before I came, I thought, what happens if I’m going to get abducted by them? Like stupid things go through your head. Um, and worries. But yeah, I think sometimes you just got to do it because if you if you let all your worries win, you’d never do anything. So yeah, it’s kind of taught me that I’m okay doing stuff on my own. And I wouldn’t get to see these views if I hadn’t said yes to this. So yeah, I’m just feeling very grateful. And again, it feels a bit like a dream. So, yeah, there’s been a few hard moments on the rides, like I’m struggling a bit today with stomach ache and backachche, but part of being a woman. And you just got to get on with it and you can either focus on the negatives and let it ruin your day, or you can have a positive mindset and make the most of the day. And that’s what that’s what I’ve been trying to do. So I always like have little positive mantras in my head if I’m struggling like come and Amy you can do it and like you’re doing really well and you can and you will or I can and I will and although like I don’t believe it like I don’t believe I’m doing well I never do but just saying it like when you’re going up a climb and you’re struggling if you just say in your head come on you’re doing really well like it just gives you that little boost whereas if you’re going up thinking oh it’s ages to the top and I can’t do it then you’re just going to hate every pedal but it’s I think mindset is so powerful. So yeah, sorry about that little random speech there. Right, I’m going to carry on now, otherwise I’ll be here all day. So I was just rolling down like about to start going down the descent and I noticed this little font thing. Oh my god, I wish I got that on camera. I pressed the button and it went so high in the air and it all just splashed down onto me. I was like, whoa. Now the problem is, how do I fill my bottle with that? Oh, actually, I think I can get it under there. Might not be able to do it while I’m holding the camera. Hang on. I think might be able to angle that under there. Yes. Is it going in? Just about. I think very slowly going in a little about a little easier. I’m so glad I found this cuz I’m a bit desperate for water. Actually got like a quarter of a bottle left. It’s not filling very well. That was so funny though. Honestly, I was like, can’t believe that happened. I wish I got that on camera. It’s hilarious. I don’t think this is actually filling too well. I’m scared to press the button again now cuz it’s probably going to do it to me again. Oh, that’s actually that’s working half full. Right, I’m going to put the camera off, fill my bottle up and not press it like that again. Woohoo. 40 mil to go. And I’ve got Kyle’s song in my head again. Periselle little little. Oh, I’ve got a bit of a headwind. Lovely. Hello there, little fell. Amazing cyclist up there. I just did a bit of a ky. I was using the other cyclist as a carrot to follow. Bit of a burner to go up now. And then another nice free wheel down. And I canny wait. Oh, slice some cheese and lay it on me. I’m cream crackered, knackered. Hallelujah. Thank Pella for that. Yippee time. Yippee. Woohoo. I’ve got 27 miles to go. I’m getting hot and salty. And I was banking on this font. I knew that it was here cuz I could see it on the map, the little like water thing. It doesn’t work. And I’ve only got this left. Not good. Oh well, at least it’s like mainly downhill back. But I need to get some water the next one I see. Hopefully I’ll go for another place where there is one cuz that ain’t going to last for 27 miles. I’ve been doing so well with my fluid, but I just drank a lot in the last bit and now I’ve got none left. So hopefully there’ll be another one soon. Hey, one mile down the road and fade by a font that works. Well, one that doesn’t seem to not want to work. Didn’t turn off. Oh, there you go. Just done. Being careful cuz there’s loads of glass on the floor here actually. So, move over here. Put my electrolyte tablets in. And vaminos. Oh, I’m so glad I found that. Literally, I was just riding along thinking I need some water soon. Some airqua. Anyway, electrolyte tablets. I hope I’ve got them. Yes, I have. I’m going to put two in each bottle cuz I’m a salty sweater. So, I need to get lots in and then nearly done. Oh, and by the way, I don’t just call myself a salty sweater. That’s what I got told I was when I did a sweat test. So, yeah. And I can tell by the salt that is correct. That’s one of the things I love about cycling. Like that finding that water was just like such a relief. And we take the basic things that we need like food and water for granted so easily when we’re at home. And I just think if you got access to water and you can do a food shop every week and you got a fridge full of food, you’re doing pretty well. You just got to remember to appreciate the little things in life. Some people don’t have them. So yeah, hola Valencia. Nine miles to go, but I don’t want this ride to end. I’m absolutely loved it. I set off feeling a bit like H. But the more the ride’s gone on, the more I’ve just loved it like I always do, and I’m so glad that I chose to do a 200k. It’s just been great really. And here we have approaching in his natural habitat, Spanish whippers, aka a fast Spanish cyclist. Hello. Happy. Woohoo. The last descent of the day. Hello. Apologies for the current look. I’ve just had a shower and wash my hair because it’s not long till dinner. So, I thought let’s faffing with the camera, Amy, get in the shower and get ready first. So, ride stats for you. I’m just feeling really happy about today cuz I woke up and I was like, “Oh, you know, time of the month’s come.” I’m sorry for that information, but sometimes it makes it harder cuz like makes my back hurt, my stomach was hurting. I was like, got another like big climb. I thought it was going to be a flat day, but then I was like, hold up, wait a minute, Amy, you’re living your blooming dream here. Like, this is your job and you’re going out riding your bike and you’re being negative. So, turn that frown upside down and get out there and enjoy it. Which is what I did. So, had to have a little talking to myself this morning because I just still can’t believe like this is my job. like what the actual Anyway, we’re living the dream here and I wish that everyone watching would be able to do it as well, but hopefully I can bring you like a little smile with these videos and yeah, I wish Kyle was here, but unfortunately he’s at home and he is working on the garage. So hopefully when I get back it’ll be ready for me to paint. Anyway, ride stats for today. I did 125.01 miles, so just over 200 km. I went up 8,789 ft. So actually a little bit less than I thought and a little bit less miles. I think there was like a little, you know, on the route sometimes where there’s a little out and back. There was one of them. So cut out a few feet in that one. So I was happy about that. Moving time. So boom on the saddle, 7 hours 43 minutes and 29 seconds. And my average speed was 16.2 m an hour, which is a bit faster than I thought I was going to go, but there was a lot after the big climb, which is beautiful. If you’re ever here, you need to do that climb. It’s so good. Um, after that there was like loads of descending and flat road, so it was pretty fast after that which was quite nice. Anyway, I’ve got the stats for the last seven days. So, I’m not including the 30 mile warm-up ride that I did. But in the past 7 days, no wonder I’m feeling Nikki Naki Nunard because I’ve done 730.7 miles, which is 1,175.9 km. I’ve gone up 57,549 ft, which is 17,540.9 m. The 0.9 is important. And my bum has been on the saddle for 47 hours and 56 minutes. So that’s a lot in a week. But the scary thing is when I do tour to France, it’s not 7 days, it’s 28 days with two rest days added in. So 30 days. And it’s going to be more miles than that each week and more feet. So basically, I’ve set myself up for an early grave really, haven’t I? But you know, it’ll be all right. Kyle will be there on that one, so he can tell me off from being Marty or if I get negative. But yeah, it’s going to be hard. But I’m not going to think about that now. I’ve got nine more weeks. I’ve done a good training block. I’m going to have a really good rest week next week. Then my legs will feel good. Cuz if I don’t rest properly after this, then it’s just all been pointless. So nice recovery week next week. I’ve still got one more day here. I go back I go home the day after tomorrow. So tomorrow I’m going to do whatever the rest of the group are doing. Um a ride with them, which will be like a recovery pace for me. So that’ll be nice. I’ll bring you along because we are going to do top of the hill dance. I’m going to get them all to do it. But yeah, I’m just feeling really grateful. I’m feeling scared about tour to France, but I’m hoping to raise as much money as possible for Shout, which is the charity I’ve chosen to do it for, who are mental health charity. And if it was easy, then it wouldn’t be a challenge, would it? So, this week’s taught me a lot of lessons, actually, which I’m going to reflect on. I’ll talk about them in the podcast when I get back with Kyle. Um, but yeah, dinner is coming soon, so I’m ready for it. But what I actually feel like doing is this. This bed is so comfy. Honestly, problem is if I lie down too long, I won’t get back up. I’m sorry about my hair. It’s wet. Really don’t like my hair at the minute. They cut it. I went to the hairdressers. My hair used to be down here. They cut it to here. Told me it was all dead, but not as dead as my soul was after I saw it in the mirror. I was very upset. I still am. I don’t even Well, I don’t want to talk about that. Anyway, there’s bigger problems in the world than my hair being short. So, I need to suck it up and know that it will grow. And now I’m waffling on. And if Kyle was here, he’d tell me to shut up. So, I’m going to go and have my dinner. And I’ll bring you along to show them. Oh, the food here is It’s like perfect food for arriving. It’s all homemade. Oh, it’s so good. Emiline makes it and she’s so lovely. Yeah, I definitely recommend. Obviously, they invited me here to have my stay here for free. But I’m not lying when I say it’s such a perfect place to come and ride cuz there’s so many hills, so many different views. It’s like an undiscovered place really. There’s a lot of cyclists here, but not as many as in Calpe. It’s like a bit more quiet here, but there’s so many nice places to visit. And yeah, I definitely recommend it. So yeah, the sunflower seeds and toasted almonds and the lemon poppy seed dressing. Oh yeah, tick tock. And that’s my day ding dang dudly with. Everyone else is still downstairs chatting, but I’d have said, “Look guys, I’m sorry. I’m gonna have to go and hit the sack because I’m tired and I don’t feel bad about it.” But that dinner was so good. So, I’m going to go to sleep with a nice full tummy. Carb me back up for tomorrow. But tomorrow is going to be a nice steady recovery ride. I’m going to ride with the group. No clue what we’re doing yet, but I’m sure there’ll be hills and there definitely will be top of the hill dance because I’ve agreed with them. They’re up for it. Anyway, thank you so much for watching. Thanks to Escobar CC for having me. I’m going to put my head on the pillow, ring Kyle, see how he’s doing, and get some slumber. Goodbye.