The reason for pushing hard to get to Capbreton was so that I would have a couple of easy days to finish. Unfortunately it didn’t actually turn out that way…both days were shorter but I’d failed to take into account the difference in the terrain once past Bayone!
I could see the foothills of the Pyrenees through the low evening clouds from Capbreton. Whilst there were no serious ‘cols’ the coast was very hilly.
The route took me initially on a flat route to Bayone. A large port town with an ambition to be better than it is. It still has a way to go but there is a lot of work going on to make it feel more welcoming than it currently is.
From there the route went west down the river to the coast and then south towards Biarritz. The undulations became more pronounced so the going became slow. As I got near to Biarritz I stopped for a baguette and a rest before tackling the town, and I’m glad I did. It was busy and hilly with some of the route on the road. Many people had parked their cars in the cycle lane making it a tricky ride through.
Once out of the main town the traffic eased and there was more to see.
The sat nav took me the wrong way…obviously down a very steep hill but on the climb back I did notice this incredible building built into the cliffs.
On from Biarritz my target was Saint Jean de Luz. Once again more rolling coastline made it a beautiful if tiring 18 kilometres. Coming down the final descent the town itself and the bay revealed itself. It was truly breathtaking.
I cycled through the town to my chosen campsite on the other side of the bay. Once the tent was set up I walked the 500 meters or so to the small area of Socoa and found a small bar on the beach for a beer and a nice Pizzeria for a meal. A really great end to the day!
The final day was a short one but I’d looked at the profile and knew it would be pretty tough. There was more climbing along the cliff side road and really the only part of the ride where the traffic has been a problem. The campsite was on the actual official route but there was only a busy road for around 5 kilometres from the campsite entrance to the first cycleway. I also had to ride back this way later. The views were fantastic though!
Anyway after longer than expected I made it to Hendaye which was much nicer than I had expected really. Full of lots of very happy people enjoying their Sunday. Fantastic water sports facilities here.
Took my time here to look around and was impressed. Eventually moved on to get to Irun which turned out to be tricky because the boardwalk that is part of the route was closed for a small section meaning that I had to carry the bike up 2 flights of steps. That is no easy task with a fully loaded touring bike!
Eventually I got to the bridge and crossed into Spain. Yes…as simple as that. There is no sign welcoming you to Spain or any real sign that you have changed country. I guess that’s Schengen for you!
The route took me down a small path after the bridge to a car park with lots of coaches in the. I sat and had a cup of tea whilst the male passengers from the latest coach arrival all trooped off and urinated, not too self consciously, in the bushes 15 feet away from me. Welcome to Spain?
I wasn’t expecting streamers, confetti and a handshake from the Mayor but I did think there might have been a sign to tell me that La Velodyssee was complete. I could have then had a better selfie to finish my ride!
Fortunately my sense of self satisfaction after cycling the entire Atlantic Coast of France along with a night in a beautiful hotel in Saint Jean de Luz with Nic makes up for the lack of A Mayoral handshake!
