Vuelta revisited (of sorts) October 2017

Monday 16 October 2017

Today was our first chance to visit some of the places that stage 8 went through. We had seen the stage at Villena, so headed to Yucla, which was earlier in stage than where we saw. We looked around the town and the central square which contained a statue depicting various festivals with a man holding a gun!

We considered going up to the monastery but decided to move onto Jumilla. We stopped at had some lunch and then went to visit the Monastery to Santa Anna. Set on a hilltop overlooking the town. We stopped for fresh air at a rest site on the hill, which had a large stone bbq where you could prepare food fr a group of you while shading from the sun under the trees around the hillside.

Being a Monday, the Monastery and chapel were closed, so we headed back towards Alicant, stopping at a bodega to buy some red and white wine to see us through the week.

Distance travelled 141 miles driving, 1.9 miles walking

Tuesday 17 October 2017

Decided to head south to Lorca and the coast at Aguilas and return up the coast.

Lorca was a nice city, thou we didn’t stop in the centre as was lunchtime and very busy with traffic. The road to Aguilas was a dual carriageway as this is a main holiday destination. We got out and had a walk along the front, but it wasn’t the sort of place we enjoy and nor was there anywhere nice to stop and eat lunch.

We decided to move on and find a quiet spot to eat. We headed along the coast road and found a spot called Playa de la Cola. Presently, it is undeveloped but with a village at the end of the cove which appears to be under total redevelopment into holiday villas etc. After a rest and food, we continued along the coast road, which was the old road before they build the motorway. Very mountainous and twisty before eventually arriving at Cartagena and travelling back to Alicant

Distance travelled 245 miles, 0.8 walking

Wednesday 18 October 2017

All this week the Volvo Ocean Race has been based in Alicant before heading off around the world. We thought a restful day down in the City centre and viewing what was happening would be nice. We decided against the car as from previous experience know how difficult it it to get parked so took the bus down to the front. We got off and headed out past the marina, and the bars where in a past visit we had watched some of the games in the world cup. Had a look at some of the stands of sponsors and so on, took some pictures of the boats (as you do) and started to head back to the front.

One boat that hadn’t expected to see was either the “broomwagen” or the medical facility for the race.

While there I saw something that almost made me think the boating lot had there heads screwed on when I saw hiding in the corner a communications truck.

Either to return home or walk along to Santa Barbara castle, in all the times we have visited, have never been there. The skies became every dark and there was the rumble of thunder, we thought we would get caught in a downpour, but the front missed all the rain, however as we caught bus home could see that further out the rain had come and the run off was something to be seen. We planned to go to castle in the evening and get the sunset, but I think the driving over last couple days took it out of me and slumped in sofa and was still there as the sun set.

Distance on bus 5.3miles, 3.1 walking

Thursday 19 October 2017

Today we headed into North West Murcia to visit the start town of stage 10 from the Vuelta, Caravaca de la Cruz. Before the summer, had no idea that the town was one of the Perpetual Jubilee joining Santiago de la Compostela, Santo Toribio de Liebana, Rome and Jerusalem https://www.murciaturistica.es/en/caravaca_de_la_cruz/ On the way, we stopped at Mule and looked round and headed to a reservoir to have lunch, unfortunately, it was barred to the public to reach the dam,

so we continued on via small small roads and olive groves to Bullas where we found a most delightful waterfalls at Salto del Usero.

We stopped there for a while and had some food and a rest, time was getting on so he headed back to the motorway and decided that was better not to get to Caravaca, but stop at Cehegin for a coffee before heading back to Alicant.

Distance travelled 198 miles

Friday 20 October 2017

Today was a revisit to places we have been before and a few new ones. Heading to Benitatxell and Combre del Sol where stage 9 finished.

On the day of race, we had to walk up towards the summit, today was different and drove all the way to the top. Glad didn’t need to walk or cycle up it! At the summit, being completely exposed it was very windy, so we had a walk around and decided to have lunch at Cap de Sant Antoni, from here we could look over the point and towards Benitatxell in the distance.

After some sandwiches and a drink, we headed to Denia for coffee and a walk along the front, before driving up along the coast to Grau i Platja for a walk, coffee and so as to head back, hopefully to get back to Alicant at dusk to take pictures from Ste Barbara castle.

Stage 10 of the Vuelta 2017

When I booked and planned this holiday, there had been no thoughts of seeing the race on Stage 10. In fact, the first time I had the idea was after meeting Toms on the rest day, when I casually said that it wasn’t that far to the start of the stage. I wasn’t shot down in flames! Just some quizzical looks. The thought remained just that. After a few drinks with evening meal, the subject was raised again, and, with the flow of alcohol continuing, a plan was hatched to get up and watch the stage.

The morning broke, with clouds and a chance in the forecast for rain, then thunderstorms. Undeterred, packed some lunch to do sightseeing in the area afterwards, we set off, thou did have an umbrella in the car, just in case! The trip to the start was due to take 1hr 34 mins according to Google, but after yesterdays calculations by them I was unsure. We set off and soon on the motorway there were support vehicles from some of the teams that had been staying further afield in Alacant, we pressed on. Then Bahrain Merida convoy appeared ahead, so we knew we must be in time to arrive at the start.

We arrived at Caravaca, got parked in a side street not far from the start village. Walked back to the area and got the camera out to take some pictures of the event..

The team buses, support vehicles were all parked along the open roadside, it was possible to get up close to the equipment and have a nose.

What other sport can you do that in? The camera was in overdrive as walked past the teams on both sides of the road. Heaven!

At some, riders were already warming up for the days stage, others were still on their respective team buses, while still others had already begun the task of signing on for the stage. Cannondale had their bikes leaning up against the bus. I counted and could only get to 8! I recounted and still only 8, so I started checking numbers, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98 and 99. Something was terribly amiss… then a staff member brought round another bike and all was then well, Toms bike had arrived!

The biggest cheer that occurred while we were at the sign on was for Alberto Contador. Despite the fact that by now the rain was quite heavy, he seemed totally relaxed and enjoying the occasion as he waved to the crowd, before heading to the start line.

When I say that all the team buses were accessible, their was 1 exception, you couldn’t get near the Team Sky bus, not that I really wanted to, as none of my favourites from the team were riding the Vuelta, having both been injured earlier in the season. I hear that 1, Geriant Thomas is down to return to racing at the Tour of Britain, but I digress and that is for another day.

We headed back to the main area, stopping at the village on the way, partly to shelter from the rain, which was now persistent, and partly to see what was on offer. The usual replica shirts were much in evidence, and the price variations were extreme.The opportunity to imitate the World Champion in Bora-Hansgrohe colours or Team Sky black are just a case in point.

The rain eased off and we headed not to the actual start, but the neutralised zone out of town. We waited for the event to begin, and the convoy of police motorbikes and cars began. The competitors were on their way! Followed by the support vehicles, buses, organisation vehicles and more police.

The race had begun! The weather was very wet, and was going to be a long day of rain.

We headed into the town hoping the weather would improve, in order to see the town properly and enjoy a couple of hours browsing the attractions. Alas, that wasn’t the case, so we had a coffee, allowed the traffic to subside and headed back to Alacant.

In conclusion, if you get the chance to visit a Grand Tour, JUMP AT IT, you wont regret it. These 3 stages that we have seen have been great, from mid stage on 8, the finish 1km on 9 and the start on 10. Which would I chose to be the best to see? The start for opportunity to walk around and view the bikes and riders at close quarters, the finish for an amazing atmosphere, and the mid stage to see the event in full flow and spaced out over several minutes. I was at the finish of the Tour in Harrogate, which now seems an age ago, these few days have quite probably surpassed that. Which I hadn’t thought would be possible. This is in so small part to the interaction that I have been able to enjoy with Toms Skujins. Even in the heat of the event and the bombshell over the future of the team, he has been more than happy to reply to messages, meet me and make the few days an experience that will stay with me for a very long time, Thank you Toms, I hope the future becomes secure, you deserve it for putting up with me hounding you!

Rest day at the Vuelta 2017

Well, the first rest day of the Vuelta is upon us, and richly deserved it is as well! After 9 hard stages a day of rest in Alicant province for the riders. If you are on holiday though, there are no such luxuries! A spot of sightseeing and then a rendevous at a hotel to met up with Toms Shijuns.

We headed in the direction of Callosa de Segura, which although being famous, was of little interest to us on this occasion. We then headed to Embalse de la Pedrera for a spot of lunch on the side of a reservoir, very impressive in this part of Spain as even with the heat it seemed full and no loss from evaporation! I await to be corrected! From here I messaged Toms to give an idea of our arrival time, Google said 45 min but when I started calculating the route that fell to 15. The mysteries of technology is what I put that down to!

We got to the hotel and made ourselves known to reception and Toms arrived. He gave me a bottle and race number from the Vuelta, chatted for a few minutes and a photo opportunity.

I thanked him again and we left, heading back to Alicant for an evening meal.

Stage 9 of the Vuelta 2017

Today was a day to see the finish of a stage. So got prepared and into the car to head up the motorway. Unlike yesterday, we didn’t see any vehicles from the Vuelta on route. Got off the motorway and utilised Google to get us to the finish! We could have simply followed the signs for the route the cyclists were taking within a short distance, as is was the same course. We got as near to the finish as we could, and parked up off course down a hill, I thought it was only a short distance, later I was to find it wasn’t!

We then walked up the climb that the riders would later tackle twice on the circuit, it was hard work walking so heaven only knows what it was like cycling. We found a spot at about the 1km point, as the road split from the circuit onto the finishing climb.

Having bagged our place for the conclusion of the stage, I headed up the last climb to see the finish.

Am glad we found a spot where we did, as it was steep walking up to the gantry. I stopped about 150m from the end and turned round and headed back down, taking a few photos of the view from that vantage point.

I got back to our viewpoint and began to prepare for the arrival of the caravan, all the while amateur riders were struggling up to the finish, kudos to them all, some managing easier than others but some were as young as teenagers. I would have got off and walked!

Next the police wanted the road sterile for when the race tackled the last section to the summit, and with much blowing of whistles, and more blowing, and occasional shouting the course began to clear and everyone was behind the barriers.

Given the distance from the finish when the riders would pass 1st time, various teams took advantage of the sterile space to park and prepare drinks for the riders for the last time.

All the while, the Guardia helicopter was flying past ensuring safety from an elevated position. Most of the police were armed with pistols although some had in addition sub machine guns. Whether this was an added precaution after the atrocity in Barcelona, I do not know.

There followed an almost deathly silence as the riders approached for the first time, then the banging on holdings signified the arrival of the breakaway. A cheer went and and much banging of the holdings that lined the entire climb. Once everyone had passed we were treated to what I think may have been the Columbian National Anthem, as the corner we had taken was almost 50% Columbian supporters, all in good voice, even if they did test the patience of the police at times, who handled everything that people could throw at them in a firm but friendly manner, my Spanish is atrocious, so hope thats how it was handled! Everyone settled down for the climax of the day and the conclusion of the first week of racing in this years Vuelta. Eventually after what seemed an age, the helicopter sounds came back to fill the air, the race was approaching!

The police outriders came round the corner and found they were in the wrong gear and the corner was tighter than they had thought, much gear changing and using the full width of the road ensued. The banging on the hoardings began in ernest as the first riders approached the hard hairpin onto the final climb. The first bunch rounded the corner and headed to the summit to contest the stage win and the bonus seconds, but I doubt if the additional seconds were playing on many minds as they looked at the last section up towards the finish. More likely, the thought that had just done an almost entire stage following the coast and they throw this at us! Thoughts may have turned to the original Tour de France and riders shouting “Assassin” at Degrange.

There followed various single and groups of riders hitting the hairpin, that some may have glanced at during the pass while completing the circuit.

Eventually another banging of the hoardings as came into view Thomas Skujinš shepherding fellow Cannondale rider  Joseph Dombrowski up to the finish. They would eventually finish 178 and 179 on the stage, down 24’04” behind the winner Froome for Sky.

After most had made the climb, the teams had the team transport down the hill, had riders struggling going up and others heading to the sanctuary of the team bus freewheeling down the hill that a short time before they had painstaking climbed.

Stage 8 of the Vuelta 2017

Today was the day of stage 8 of the Vuelta 2017. The plan was this morning to get to see the race pass through Villena, just prior to the food station and then head by car to try and see the finish.

Arrived in Villena in plenty of time, so had a drink in a small bar on outskirts of town, but still on the route. The police were ready to place barriers over the side roads to make the route sterile for the race. We then headed into the town to watch the caravan pass and managed as always to get some hats from Carrefour.

The caravan passed through and we headed back to where the car was parked to make a quick exit from the town after the broom wagon had gone past. The anticipation was increasing as could hear the helicopter overhead. The police shut the roads and whistled at anyone that tried to drive along the road. The helicopter went overhead again… Now the first cars and motorcycles of the convoy went through.

The position we had chosen to watch the race was just prior to the feed station, my thoughts being we didn’t want to fight to get any discarded musettes, but the speed would slow down slightly as the opportunity to get refreshments in the race was imminent. This proved to be the case as the breakaway, consisting of about 24 riders went through, clearly after some time in the break the chance to get food and drinks was high.

The anticipation continued to grow as 1 person asked if that was it… The break at this time had about 5 mins on the peloton so enough time to grab a drink of water without missing any of the action. Then the sight of more headlights on full raised the interest again. The peloton were coming through the town and would soon be with us!

I positioned myself ready to capture the action. Just further down the road the course narrowed as it winded its way to the feed zone and the climb at Biar.

The wind that there was, only slight was coming across the road so at right angles to the route. The peloton approaches with Sky doing their thing on the front and controlling the race. I set the camera rolling again to catch the action and used zoom to get a better picture, as I was on the curb watching the activity. The peloton arrive, Froome in his red jersey with about 7 riders in front of him from Sky and the rest in close proximity following. Fabio Aru was resplendent in his Italian Tricolour jersey. I think Toms Skujinš was about 2/3rds the way back in the group.

As the peleton went past, clearly Sky were employing a hard pace, and Froome shouted out about getting out of the way as they raced past, all my thoughts about easing up for the food station had gone out of the window!

Once the race and broomwagon had past, within a few minutes the road was clear of spectators as those who lived in the houses close by returned to get out of the heat and hopefully sit down to watch the final stages of the race on TV, but who knows… The road cleared and we headed back to get on the motorway to head to the finish…

All went well until we arrived on the CV837 from Petrer to the finish at Cati. The road as about 10km, we started to drive and gain altitude all the while. Passing cyclists heading up the mountain to see the conclusion of the stage. About 8km from the top and thus the climax of the days racing, the road was closed by the police. They said that the road was closed and there was no parking any further up the hill. We had to make a choice, try and get parked somewhere near there and walk up in the heat; or accept defeat and be destined not to see the conclusion ourselves. With an 8km walk there uphill, and a 8km walk down afterwards, we chose the latter and headed back to Petrer.

Given that we could rush back to Alicant and hope to see the conclusion on TV or take a more leisurely pace home, we headed slowly back home and stopped off at a most beautiful castle, originally of Islamic construction it has been adapted and modified through the ages.

Sanctuary of St Maria Magdalena

As some of you may know, I am due to meet up with Thoms from Cannondale, as the 5000th follower for him on Twitter I am looking forward to getting a present from him for the feat. He is well worth the follow @Tomashuuns

The Spanish police may have prevented me from meeting him today, and can understand the security and logistics of the decision, but I will manage to get to the finish tomorrow at Benitatxell

to be continued….