Cycling the world (Days 1538-1571) France and Spain: Millau Viaduct, Mont Ventoux, Barcelona Ironman

Our last few weeks in Europe we did and saw it all! Stunning cycling through canyons, giant vultures flying above us. Tom attempted Mont Ventoux on his fully loaded tourer. The weather challenged us time and again with horrendous thunderstorms, but we also had sunshine and endless traffic-free cycle ways. We rode towards, under, and then past the once highest bridge in the world. Our way back to Barcelona was a mix of Tom’s route and Eurovelo 8. We had our minds blown at the home of Salvador Dali, before heading to the coast and endless miles on sandy paths between the sea and lagoons full of flamingos and before we left for Bolivia, we had time to fit in an Ironman!

Check out our website for more info on the tour: debsandtom.com
Day 1540: https://www.debsandtom.com/blog/day-1540
Day 1545: https://www.debsandtom.com/blog/day-1545
Day 1550: https://www.debsandtom.com/blog/day-1550
Day 1554: https://www.debsandtom.com/blog/day-1544
Day 1559: https://www.debsandtom.com/blog/day-1559
Day 1560: https://www.debsandtom.com/blog/day-1560

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debsandtom
Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13862514
Follow us on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/DebsandTomcom-100077261656254/
Best photos on 500px: https://500px.com/p/tootalltom

Hey, morning folks and welcome to Pyrenees part 
two, although we’ll have to think of a better name for it cuz we’re not really in the Pyrenees 
anymore. We’re heading north towards the Alps,   but, we’ll get to that, but bad back’s on the 
mend. 4 days later, rested up. It’s not hurting so much. Though I still can’t turn me head more than 
about 5°, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was. Just rested up. And we’re heading back 
to re-join the planned route where we started. Heading today to the medieval town of Lagrasse. 
Then on up to see the biggest of something again. And and then maybe if the back holds out, 
we’re going to have a pop up Mont Ventoux, that classic Grand Tour climb. But for now, let’s 
hope it don’t rain cuz it’s looking a bit grey. After a big day, more or less 50 miles and big 
climbs, we’re coming in to the medieval city of Lagrasse. Got an abbey, lots of medieval streets. 
Let’s go and have a look at Lagrasse. Hopefully, they’ve got a campsite. On Google, it says 
there’s a campsite, so we’re going to treat   ourselves to a campsite, get a hot shower, if 
we can find it. And we also need some food. Hey, we made it out of the maze. Wow, it’s incredible. We need some food of some description. A lovely campsite there last night. 
Refreshed as much as you can be with a neck that can’t turn. Debs, your 
top’s getting a bit big. I know. I   know. It’s going to go in the bin I 
think. Dangerous eh. Sleeping in it. But we’re about to come across, a couple 
month or so ago, they had some fires here,   wildfires that were quite bad. And looking 
down that road, there’s a section here that’s been burnt out. So, let’s go and have 
a look. Like being back in Canada Debs. Yeah,   so sad. I mean, and the people living 
here and the campsite and the town must have been petrified. It was very 
close. Let’s go and see. Let’s go see. Wow, that was pretty close to the 
edge of this village. Devastation. It’s definitely fun with the little F and a tiny 
u and n today. Just climbing, climbing, climbing. Doing another 2,000 footer just to go down the 
other side. Bit sick of it, but we’ll be happy when we get down the other side. It’s a bit busy 
and all. Lots of motorbikes, few lorries, fair few  
0:06:37.280,1193:02:47.295
cars. Not a great road, but as I say, let’s get 
over the top downhill and onto a greenway. Ba boom. Hey, morning folks. Well, was right. The next day 
on the greenway feels a bit better than climbing up. More of a Capital F fun, even though it’s 
grey and wet and damp Debs. Yeah, but you know, it’s not freezing. It’s not freezing. And 
we’ve got a traffic-free greenway for how   far? 30 miles. 30 big ones. Let’s do it. 
30 big ones on the greenway. Bring it on. Debs and Tom. Dot com. Oh, cool lights. Different colours. Tell you what, hats off to your France. 
That was a blinder. Lovely green LED   lights. Well lit all the way. A couple of 
them out, but not a problem. Great tunnel. We can learn a lot from that in the UK 
Debs eh? Hands up for tunnels. Woohoo. I reckon this must be a bit where there’s a tunnel 
that they can’t repair cuz it’s super steep. Now, I’ve seen trees growing out of a lot of 
things in my life, but I’ve never seen this,   a tree actually growing out of a a lamp post from 
the inside. Will you look at that? Debs! That’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like 
that. And it’s doing alright I think. Yeah,   it’s doing good. It’s like the old 
railway post. That is incredible. Hey, right folks, here’s another world record for 
you. And this is the highest of this particular   thing. Or at least it was. I think the Chinese 
may build one higher, but it was certainly the highest one of these. And I used to have a picture 
of this on my office wall when it was being built, like an artist impression before it was even built 
cuz I thought it was such a cool bit of design.   Never thought I’d see in real life. Debs wants 
to see it, too. She’s always liked it. So, we’re very excited to see this. And it should 
be any minute. It should be any minute. It’s got to be around here 
somewhere. It’s massive. So,   you should be able to see it. 
But, it’s hiding at the moment. It’s like being back in Shumen. But, this corner,   I’m pretty convinced that this corner we 
should see it. Keep your eyes peeled Debs. I tell you, I never thought it’d be so easy to 
hide something so big in the mountains. But I guess that tells you that the mountains 
are king and always will be. No matter   how high we build stuff, the mountains will 
always be king. It’s got to be soon though. Climbing up the big hill now, which should 
give us a better chance of seeing it.   Maybe this corner. Let’s see it for the 
first time together. Debs, is it there? Yes. Yes. Yes. There it is. Oh, I’m glad I held 
the camera for that long so we   could see it together for the first time viewers. Ha ha, there it is. Millau Viaduct. 
The highest bridge in the world. At least it was at one point. Let’s go 
and get a closer look. There’s a lot   of them parapets. It’s going to get 
a lot grander yet. Don’t you worry. Just about get it in. What a thing that 
was. Really lived up to expectations that, huge. I’d recommend that. Fantastic. Never 
thought I’d get to see that in real life, but we did. We did. Fantastic. Fantastic. What do you reckon, Debs? 
Fantastic. Eh? Absolutely fantastic. Out of 10? 10! 10 out of 10 from 
Debs. That doesn’t happen often. Ha ha, check this out for a way to start the day folks. 
Ready? Three, two, one. Boom. What about that? Well, no. 3/4 of the way up 1,000 ft col. How’s it 
going? Fine, actually today. Fine. She’s on fire. Attacking the hill. Got a bit of Tom Pidcock 
going on there. Yeah right. We’re both from Yorkshire see. Yorkshire grit. Go 
on, girl. Go on. Pants on the back. Hey, back on the greenway folks. Although 
this one is rather underdeveloped and I think it sort of peters out. There is a section 
that I checked out that we’re going to give a go,   but it looks a bit rough, but I think it’s called 
the Stevenson line. Quite why it’s called that, I don’t know, but I’ll endeavour to find 
out and stick it up there in a mo. Let’s go. Debs and Tom. Dot Com. Can’t 
hear you. Debs and Tom. Dot Com. Hey, morning folks. Another wet one. Just 
leaving this campsite on this old station   building of the Stevenson line, and why 
is it called Stevenson Debs? Okay well, dear old Robbie, Robbie Louis Stevenson was madly 
in love with a lady called Fanny, but it wasn’t   suitable I don’t think. So, he went walking 
with his donkey along this line, this area. There we go. So, not the train Stevenson, 
but the treasure island Stevenson. Was it? All right. And there’s the 
old water tank. Look at that. Our first view of Mont Ventoux. It’s 
over there. You’ll have to trust me.   I’m sure you won’t be able to see it 
in this lovely weather, but there it is. Poking well above everything else. Wicked. 
Let’s go. Mont Ventoux, we’re coming for you. So you might make it out now this morning. 
Debs there it is. Mount Ventoux. We’re going to ride up it. It looks a bit big. Yeah, 
I’m not sure how many times it’s been used, but it’s one of the big climbs, the big cols 
in the Tour de France. Let’s go. Very famous in Britain because of the tragic death of 
Tommy Simpson, who died climbing up it. Hey Deb, there it is. It’s getting 
closer. How you feeling? Well,   a wee bit nervous, I’ll be 
honest. Wee bit nervous. Wow. Hey, morning folks. Well, here we are about 
to start the beast that is Mont Ventoux, on a touring bike. Debs has got some brain 
cells left, she’s left her bags in the B&B, but I’m going to try it fully loaded. 
Let’s see how we get on. Let’s go. 15k to go. About a third of the way. I’m 
having a Red Bull cuz we’re by this bin. So, I take the opportunity to get some 
wings to charge up. Yeah. Three about a quarter of the way done, but me legs 
are already three quarters done. So,   we’re going to have to dig deep on this one 
Deb. How is it without bags? It’s really easy. Sign said 12% average. This has 
got to be steeper. Hard to keep   the bloody bike straight. Good God. 
We’re doing it though. We’re doing it. Oh my god, look what I’ve just seen. The top, but 
it still looks like a hell of a climb. Oh yeah. Wow. There’s Debs. And what about this 
for a view folks? Wow. Look at that. To say this is iconic is an understatement. 
This is something else. Look at this. Keeping me going. I’m about 
knackered, but it’s keeping me going. Wow. That’s hell of a climb Debs, 
look where you are. Good eh? And now we get to go downhill for a long time. Quite emotional to be here. Yay. Wonderful with so many people stop. Look at that. Oh. Oh, what a day. What an icon. There it is. Mont 
Ventoux. You’re a legend. You know you’re a legend. We love you. See you again maybe one 
day, but if not, thank you for a great day. Morning folks. What a beautiful morning it is. 
Fantastic. We’re leaving Mont Ventoux behind, heading down to the seaside to take the coastal 
route to Barcelona. Let’s go. No more hills. Hey, morning folks. Well, 50 miles down the 
hill, we’re about to cross the river Rhone in this beautiful town called Tarascon something, I 
can’t, I’ll put it up there. But, another 30 or 40 miles and we’ll hit the coast, the Mediterranean 
Sea. And it’s a beautiful day yet again. Lovely campsite down there. There’s the river. And here’s 
some kind of castle. And we’ve come to a dead end. We ain’t going down there on a pushbike. No. Right, morning folks. At this 
lovely campground last night   near the flamingos. And look at this 
for a wonderful bit of interpretation. What about flamingos Debs? We’ve learned 
quite a bit. We’ve seen an awful lot of   them. All the ones in South America and then the 
one around here, the greater. Woo! Wow. Well, that was good fun through 
that mud eh Debs? I enjoyed that.   It really was good fun. Look at 
the state of the bikes though. Look where we’ve ended up. 
Salvador Dali birthplace,   Figueres. And here’s his house, I think. Well, we couldn’t come past Dali’s house without 
stopping. So, we stopped overnight in town,   went around the museum, which was absolutely 
stunning. But, as per usual, didn’t film a bit of it, did we? Well, it’s kind of weird to 
film those going around the museum. But we   took plenty of pictures for the blog, so check it 
out. Now, we’re going to go and get them bikes. I remember when we were coming 
through like Serbia and Bulgaria,   they were just planting them at the 
start of the season. And now summer’s nearly gone. We’re off to Bolivia for 
a new spring. Look at that. Beautiful. Morning folks. Here we are at Barcelona Ironman. We’ve got Debs and Ellise, 
Jim’s wife. And look at this lot. Hey, here he is. The waves at the front. It’s flat out, but 
the waves at the front are so powerful. Okay. Right, we’re on. Let’s have it! You will know that you will be 
an Ironman. Welcome to Ironman Calella Barcelona. Welcome to your Ironman. You are warriors and you are ready. Come on. Everybody come on. You are ready, to swim, to fight, 
to run, to be, an, Ironman! Are you ready? Go on Jim. Yes. Red Bull. Get on the Red Bull lad. Go. Go. Go. Go on Jimmy. Go Jim. Jimmy, go on Jim. Go on, Jim. Yay. Go on. I had to have a poo stop at 9K. Go on, Jim. Mutton strong. You got 
it. You got it. Yes. Ironman. Yes. You’re gonna be an Ironman You are an Ironman. Jim Mutton, 
you are an Ironman. Jim Mutton,   you are an Ironman. Jim 
Mutton, you are an Ironman. Hey, alright folks. Well, the Ironman’s 
over. Jim and Ellise are on the way home.   And we’ve got our whole life packed up in 
four boxes and four bags cuz we’re off again on a plane. Where are we going Debs? We’re 
going back to La Paz in Bolivia. Yay. Yeah, we wanted to go back. We felt it was unfinished 
business. The line stopped there and we tried   to go east but it didn’t work. So we’re going 
back to La Paz and continuing from where we left off last July. It’s going to be exciting 
and we got the Salar de Uyuni in a week Debs.   Cannot believe it. The big question is though, 
are we going to ride naked? You’ll find out if you watch the next episode. We’ll see you 
in Bolivia all being well folks. Adios.