Pyrenees 2006

Tuesday - The real Pyrenees

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Today we're riding the N260 which runs roughly West to East through the Spanish side of the Pyrenees (see map below) This road is often mentioned on Internet forums as 'one not to be missed' so we'd better take a close look 8-) We intended riding right through to the coast, not all on the N260, but we didn't get that far today anyway. So, after a breakfast of Croissants, jam, fresh orange juice and coffee we dug the bikes out of the garage and loaded up, its was a lovely fresh 20C and the day looked very promising...

10.48 On the road, and our first stop was for this view overlooking Broto, it's a good winding road down to the bottom, then the road continues through the town and valley bottom away in to the distance.

N42.61392 W0.12281 (map)

11:20 Janovas, one of the many deserted villages seen along the way, It seems this one was cleared for a dam project around 1951 that never happened, such a beautiful place, what a waste. There is a bridge over the river just out of shot on the left, so you could probably ride down and explore.

N42 27.912 W0 00.003 (map),

12.30 After 80 miles we needed a coffee stop and luckily found the Restaurant for the Cotiella Hotel which is just out of shot on the right.

N42 24.466 E0 23.658 (map)

Coffee on the terrrace, John, Gee, Dave S & Dave J

Six miles after leaving the cafe we rode in to a gorge near Seira, a lovely stretch of road with an aquamarine river frothing along side, how does it get that colour?

N42.48194 E0.45020 (map)

Another view of the Gorge showing the tunnel of death! :-) I suggested to Gee that I'd go back and ride through again so he could take a picture. After turning round at the far end I stupidly rode through on the wrong side of the road and met up with a car at the tunnel mouth, as I swerved right to miss him I could see from the corner of my eye he wasn't too happy, he was waved his arms around like a windmill  :( and strangely for a Spanish driver, he didn't blow his horn, I guess he was too busy...

14.37 This is the top of Col de Creu de Perves at 4932ft, with Dave J and Dave S, just behind us is the turning for Corroncui, the scenery is absolutely stunning.

N42 21.485 E0 50.541 (map)

15:10  As we passed through Gerri de la Sal  I spotted a cafe tucked away on the left, it was baking hot, 31C/87F and we all needed a drink and a rest, so we turned around and went back for a brew.

N42 19.454 E1 03.925 (map)

While we were cooling off in the shade enjoying our coffees, a group of locals were playing a noisy game of cards, it's a good life for some isn't it...

16:10 Just an hour later we arrived in the town of Sort, it's not the end of the N260 by any means, but we decided to try here for the night. Gee volunteered to find the accommodation and while he was taking us there we spied the Hotel Pessets, over the road, three stars!! Oooh! lets try there Gee!

N42 24.592 E1 07.758 (map)

So we booked in at the Pessets, complete with lock up subterranean garage under another building at the side and a swimming pool at the back. price was £49.80 for a double room including breakfast, that's £24.90 each, not too bad really. After a shower I again tackled the problem with my laptop not recognising the GPS. Finally I cracked it by reinstalling the USB drivers via:- Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager/ It was instantly fixed, and at last I could back up the GPS's track log before it became overwritten.

After a swim and a few cool drinks in the hotel bar we went in search of a place for our evening meal and found the La Pizzeria Del Riuet, quite a nice place.

N42 24.652 E1 07.877 (map)

And as we were the only customers, we had the undivided attention of this lovely waitress who never stopped smiling, So that's five beers and pizzas please miss!

After the meal we took a stroll around the town with the locals, they seem to come out in the evening when its cooled down. Somebody noticed the park steps had kids slides built in...

So what's the verdict on the N260 so far? Well, it certainly felt like we'd been riding in the real Pyrenees at last. it's a great road with terrific scenery nearly all the way. Traffic was very light indeed, and even the road surfaces were interesting, varying from utterly clapped out to pristine brand new. You certainly won't go to sleep on the N260 :)

Today's route in yellow from Jaca to Sort - 154 miles

We passed over five peaks today, hover your mouse over them to find their names and height providing your browser is compatible.

Today's temperature chart showing a steady rise throughout the day. That blip over 35deg at the end of the day was when my bike was parked in the sun by the cafe at Gerri de la Sal.

Garmin trail and waypoints download for today

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