We are still trying to figure out why Marion got 1350m of ascent and Harold got 1200m! Same Garmin, same route, same 95kms.

Clear blue skies today.  We took the short route to Orba, skipped the coffee (a mistake) and were quickly on the climb up Col de Rates from Parcent. I had a energy bar at Orba .. Marion says I should have consumed a gel (liquid energy). At any 'rate', it seemed like a tough climb for me.

But then we broke into the beautiful valley beyond and found our nirvana with the gold statues at a Buddhist retreat!

Then hell as my electronic shifting died. But no worries as I removed my front derailleur (chain link) and continued on with "greasy finger" shifting from the 39/30 chain rings!

For some reason the remaining climbs were amazing except for the last 750m to Port de Creueta at 780m at 13% - which I elected to walk so I could look good for the photo!

Great downs around to Benigembla and home via Ondara so I could have a chat with the bike store.

For some reason, the after beer pictures look better than the after climb ones!

A great day and a fix in the works for my shifting!

Dinner out at Basta! .. excellent meal with winds howling!

Cheers!
H and M

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