Ken's Charity Cycle Challenge

Day 20 Sant Celoni to Palamos 68km

Made it!!

After cycling by Palamós Hospital for some fundraising photos, NOT to check in, I finally finished my coast to coast ride in Sant Antoni.

Thanks to everyone who came to welcome me home, especially my outriders.

20 days after leaving the Atlantic at Finisterre - 19 days cycling and only one day off - it was great to be home again and to I'm going to be see my 'Eff'!

A little over three weeks since leaving Calonge, having slept in 20 different beds, it'll be great to be home again.

Whilst this started as a personal challenge, I am so pleased with how generous everyone has been supporting our local good cause - after a stream of donations last night our total now stands at €5347!



Day 19 Sant Andreu to Sant Celoni 67kms

So now in Sant Celoni after today's ride which was quite technical and had a bit if everything.

After starting on a really busy and quite dangerous road my route then took me off road and cross country.

A lot if twists and turns, but I finally made it - only a distance of 67 kms but to be honest it felt like 80.

Now resting up - I can't quite believe this epic journey is coming to an end tomorrow

I’ve been so spurred on by everyone's support, messages and donations!

It would be great if you could share this page, with your friends and family for the last push of donations, via the dedicated bank account or GoFundMe

Day 18 Cervera to Sant Andreu de la Barca 80km

After a whopping brekkie, I was looking forward to a downhill journey towards my next destination. Weather was great again - how blessed have I been during these 18 days of cycling not to have incurred any real bad weather.

In the end it was a great ride today clocking up 80 kms with a good steady pace enjoying fantastic scenery.

Seeing Montserrat loom large on the horizon signalled my arrival to Barcelona province and reminded me that in only two more days I'll be home!

Donations keep coming in, for which I continue to be grateful. Many thanks to you all.

Day 17 Lleida to Cervera 62km

Cold start this morning for the short leg up to Cervera. I had to carry the bike up two floors from the basement before setting off which got me nicely warmed up for the ride.

Arrived in Cervera after what should have been at 4hr ride which turned into 6hrs... After a little navigational error, ended up on

1-2 unpaved road. At least I have Fiesta Major to look forward to tonight here in the town.

Calonge is firmly in my sights!

Luego!

Day 16 Bujaraloz to Lleida 75km

Not a lot to report today - head down and making progress  - although very conscious after arriving in this big city of Lleida that It was scarily quiet whilst cycling through to my hotel. I know that they have had big problems here with Covid in recent weeks, so i need to be careful.

In terms of getting closer to home I'm now back in my own region of Catalonia..yeah!

Day 15 Zaragoza to Bujaraloz 71km - over 1000kms cycled in total!

Slept well after two big days cycling. Lot's to see in Zaragoza so I'll definitely come back with Ethel for a visit.

Refuelled this morning and now headed for Bujaraloz. The route out of the city crossed the mighty Ebro again, which has been my companion for the last couple of days.

Although when the city was behind me, the landscape along the route today was like being on the moon; remote and desolate.

Today's milestone was that I broke through the 1000km barrier! Therefore you'll understand why  I was chuffed to find that they’d organised a reception in my hotel when I arrived.......unfortunately it was for someone’s wedding and I hadn’t packed a suit!!

Dinner was great but I was a little distracted trying to remember all the moves to the Macarena.....

Day 14 - Tudela to Zaragoza 88kms

Not the best of days yesterday, but feeling chuffed completing my longest journey yet and boy do the legs know about it. Today's journey was horrendous in high winds, and I can't believe I've done over 200kms in 2 days.

I felt strong, but it was a tough ride. I feel really proud of myself today coming into this huge city.

Mind you I'm looking knackered! Think I’m going to sleep very very well tonight.

Day 13 - Logroño to Tudela 97kms

Errr...not!

Fully fuelled after last night's ample feeding, I set off this morning on what was to be my longest day so far.....and wasn't it just! Great cycling weather and feeling good, I saw a sign telling me I was only 17km from my target around 1445 in the afternoon.

However, an enforced detour and a reroute saw me arrive in Tudela about 3 hours later, having clocked up 117km! I'm pretty knackered but really proud to have completed such a long ride.

Day 12 - Santa Domingo de la Calzada to Logroño 38kms

A cold start to the day, but I  soon warmed up - it's a shorter day which should have given me time to sample the famous tapas of Calle Laurel in Logroño. However instead of indulging in all the wonderful tapas the town has to offer, I spent the evening sorting out a few minor bike and kit issues....Decathlon saved the day during a little known local Logroño bike shop holiday...however all now in hand...let me at that tapas....don't forget....I'm an athlete....it's called carb loading!

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟏 - 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐳𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝟔𝟖𝐤𝐦𝐬

After a day as a tourist in Burgos yesterday, I'm back on the bike today...where they seemed to have summoned up a band to see me off.

I felt very strong after my day of rest yesterday....and thought at one stage like I could have pushed on all the way to Logroño!

It was a lovely bright day too which helped; the only downside is that my tripometer is playing up so I need a quick repair...and no, not "clocking" before you say it!

I'd done 570kms to get to Burgos, plus almost 70 to get here to Santa Domingo de la Calzada mean I'm now within touching distance of the halfway point of this adventure.

Last night I also checked in with "mission control" back in Calonge, where they looked to be having a little too much fun for my liking....

Day 10 Chilling out in Burgos

So after 9 days cycling, I'm taking a day off in the lovely city of Burgos.....once I've made my way through the huge breakfast!!

Day 9 Osorno to Burgos 63km

The one-horse town of Osorno provided the best accommodation yet, with bed breakfast and a fab evening meal for €42.. Bargain!

So onwards to Burgos today with an up hill and down dale route. 

Although it started with near perfect cycling weather, it turned rather wild, wet and windy to say the least.

However, I made it in good time despite having to take shelter on a couple occasions.

On the way I crossed the 500km mark on the journey, which may be be why I'm hearing a 'clicking' sound from my bike, or could it be my knees?

Time for a hot shower and a nice casserole!

Day 8 Sahagún to Osorno 60km

Well rested and raring to go this morning, not before completing my morning's exercise by carrying my bike up the steps from the hotel basement!

Overnight we broke the €4k barrier with donations which is fantastic news and sure to spur me on to my next stop.

It was a grey start to the day but at least it stayed dry. After a few long hilly sections, I made it to Osorno to recharge myself and my bike......the bike even had use of its own lounge in the hotel!!

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟕 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧 - 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧 70𝐤𝐦𝐬

It's hard to believe 7 days has passed by since I started this personal challenge.

Without doubt your support, donations and best wishes have spurred me on. Thanks to the Costa Brava U3A E-bike group who raised another €75 today with a raffle during their ride today - particularly Mike and Sandra Dunn for donating the litre bottle of excellent vodka as a prize; congratulations to Yvonne Wray....don't drink it all at once!

After a hearty dinner last night, I woke up to rain so delayed the start before tackling a slightly shorter ride to Sahagun.

The sunshine came out along the way and I had a pretty uneventful day thankfully, after some 'highlights' during this first week.

Now enjoying my first pint!

Thursday 17th September Rabanal del Camino to Leon

After a great nights sleep in a lovely hotel with a great host, Alba, I'm hitting the road again in waterproofs this morning.

Yup, the rain has caught up with me, but on the plus side, it's all downhill today yay!

However, I need a quick pitstop in Astorga to replace my lost sunglasses doh!

Wednesday 16th September

After a night stop at the As Miguiñas do Cebreiro lodge and its great host, I'm setting off into a very cold morning which has required three layers of clothes - thankfully the first section of the route to Ponferrada is downhill.

From there I had a decision to make about the possible route, both of which require some climbing.

So between the high road, and the higher road.....I took the higher road.

This was my longest day in the saddle so far, covering nearly 90km and taking on the biggest hills I’ve had to face since leaving the Atlantic behind me. However, despite the challenges, a highlight was “calling in” to the U3A Costa Brava Golf group who met today for the first time since February due to Covid. This group held a raffle in support of my ride raising almost €150 for the hospital charity, and I was able to participate by selecting the winning tickets. Huge thanks once again to everyone who is contributing - it really spurs me on during the tough parts of the journey.

So now I’m settled for the night in Rabanal del Camino and seriously looking forward to around 70km of downhill tomorrow towards Léon!

Tuesday 15th September

An earlier start today, leaving Lugo behind with the village of Pedrafita do Cebreiro firmly in my sights, about 70kms away on the Galicia/ Leon border.

The terrain was the biggest challenge on this leg with around 1400m of climb enroute, but with a coffee stop to refuel myself, and a lunch break where a couple of guys offered to top up the charge on the the bike battery, I've arrived in Pedrafita.

I have to confess I did gaze longingly at the motorbike in the bar where I had lunch.......

Monday 14th September

So the morning started with a visit to the guys at Lamas Bike to get my rear wheel puncture sorted, and an investment in new tyres with protective insides, and another inner tube.

This meant a later start, with me not getting away until after lunchtime, so it was a shorter day, covering 50kms to the lovely walled town of Lugo in just over 3 hours.

Sunday 13th September

Melide, located in the region of Galicia in northwest Spain is the only town where two Camino routes meet and is very popular with walkers and cyclists.

Unfortunately, it's more memorable for me as I arrived with a puncture.

However Lluis at the Hotel Carlos 96 where I am staying has been brilliant - he's recommended a bike shop for me and will call ahead in the morning to let them know that I'm on my way.

Saturday 12 September - First day completed from Finisterre to Santiago de Compostela

I've just arrived in Santiago having completed my first day which was not without its challenges, as most cyclists will know. A quick chain repair, a short reroute and plenty of very, very, long hills. I stopped and asked this matador a question about my route.. well he just talked a load of bull!!

Can you spot the difference between my before and after pictures below????

85kms, that's what!

Thanks again for all your donations (keep em coming) and messages of support, it is really appreciated.

Back in the saddle tomorrow!

Friday 11 September

Last day of us being tourists... An interesting fact for you...Near the city centre you'll find a homage to film director Woody Allen, who chose Oviedo as one of the settings for his 2008 film Vicky Cristina Barcelona!

Now made it to the beautiful coast of Galicia.

Thursday 10th September

Today we travelled as far as Oviedo, admiring the scenery (but concerned about the hills!) along the way, and the architecture of the city when we arrived. Weather still holding up.

Galicia mañana.

Wednesday 9th September

Today was more eventful than planned, starting with a puncture, so at least I know how to deal with that now!

A final trip down to the guys at Aposta X Electrica who have been so helpful while preparing for this adventure, and I was ready to go!

And now, after 6 hours driving across the country, Ethel and I are now in Pamplona!