Europe

Day 6: 24th September ’10

Distance: 66.10 miles
Total Distance: 348.68 miles
Route: Granada » Pico Veleta (All the way) » Granada

I get up before it’s light, but the truth is that I don’t really sleep. A fitful night is spent mulling over yesterdays failed attempt; factors beyond my control could easily render months and months of planning completely pointless. I head out anyway into the still dark morning; constantly scowering the skies around in search of optimism. I ride to the base of the mountain and as I look up, dare to believe that today might actually happen. A small patch of blue sky, and then another.

Motivation increases and I power up the road much faster than the day before. At 1000m height, there is a thick blanket of mist below, but crystal clear blue loveliness all above me. I use landmarks from yesterdays ride to pace me faster up the mountain; go hard until the visitor centre and then take it easy until after the wild honey stall. Unbelievably, I arrive at the ski resort (Pradallano) a full hour quicker than yesterday – the ride so far has only been 2.5hrs. For the first time ever, I glimpse the summit of the Veleta. It is as beautiful as it appears forbidding; a near sheer eastern wall with a perfect 45 degree slope down it’s opposite face.

Although I have reached well over 2000 metres, the summit is still a long, long way away and I’m paranoid that the weather could turn at any moment.

An asbo dog chases me through the small tourist winter resort; ordinarily a scary and annoying occurence but the adrenalin rush is welcome this time. I pass higher – through the checkpoint where motor vehicles are stopped. My legs are burning and my head becomes fuzzy. I reach the exact spot where I was forced back yesterday. I’m proud of myself that I made it that far considering the conditions; but the summit is barely visible from here. There was absolutely zero chance I could have made it from this position yesterday.

But today there is no wind or rain. Conditions are perfect. I push on. The rapid ascent and previous days exertions have battered me. With roughly 2 miles to go I can no longer ride the bike and am forced to push. The road quickly deteriorates into a shale and gravel, boulder-strewn path; I couldn’t really ride on this surface at sea-level. I concentrate as hard as I am able to keep a rhythm going; 200 paces and rest. 200 paces and rest.

The weight of the bike and bags gets heavier; my lungs, brain and legs all request a permanent timeout. But all around the ground continues to drop away. I’m level with the radio observatory on the other ridge. Now i’m able to peer down inside the huge concave dish. 30 minutes later and its barely visible across the valley.

The sky gets lighter still, the majestic peaks all around cast smaller and smaller shadows, and I am a stones throw away from the summit. I wait there. Utterly shattered. I want to cherish and savour this moment a while longer. There are a couple of hikers and another biker at the top. I will wander up and say hello, wait for them to descend and then enjoy a few quiet minutes alone in this most awe-inspiring place.