I turn onto the 15% climb of which I had an unplanned preview near the start. It feels steeper this time around
directions and asking police to point the way. Considering the officers weren’t briefed for that, they deserve credit for doing a brilliant job at junctions, spotting us approaching downhill at speed and stopping traffic in plenty of time for us to race through.
We’re across the valley in a matter of seconds and onto the fourth climb, the Coll de La Gallina. It’s an animal. The prospect of 12km at 8.5% is bad enough, but that actually includes a descent of nearly 1km so in reality it is even harder – try 14-16% nearly the whole way, with sustained sections of 18%. The stronger guys I’d caught on the descent pull away once more, and soon I’m really suffering.
To make things harder it’s now over 30˚C and there’s precious little shade. I start feeling dehydrated but also have a stitch, so it’s hard to get food or drink in. It feels like someone has stabbed a dozen steak knives into each of my legs. A few of the middle-distance riders I pass are walking, and I consider joining them – I’m barely going any faster anyway.
The only solution is to eat and drink my way out of it. I beg some water from someone at the roadside and at the feed station at the summit refill my big bottle with water and the small one with Coke. I drain both on the descent and also force down two energy bars and a rice cake. The descent is nearly as taxing as the climb. Wilfully unpredictable corners conspire to catch me out and I nearly go off the road twice. It comes as no surprise when I learn later that there are several nasty accidents here.
Back in the valley I top up with more food and drink. That helps bring me back from the brink and I can ride hard again as the route climbs back up through the centre of Andorra and turns onto the short, 15% fifth climb of which I had an unplanned preview near the