It’s day 3rd that the sun is shining once again and riders are enjoying 29C.
The mud has dried very quickly and the route is rideable again everywhere.
Nico – keeping his position strong in front of the race even though halfway through the route his rear tire worn out which was replaced and he had his bike serviced in Cuenca. He passed by the ”Spanish Utah” earlier today and confessed that he took a bit longer than he expected as he took a lot of photos of the stunning surroundings.
Frédéric – scratched! He was feeling unwell since day 2. He announced that he will be back to do it again from start to finish.
Steven – since he got stuck in the mud in the Gorafe Desert and his derailleur got damaged he has to stop frequently to do maintenance on it.
Felix and Gehan – reached CP5 and are now moving fast towards Uña.
Gérard – after Pozo Alcon, his rear derailleur broke and took out 3 spokes from the wheel. The wheel was in such a bad condition he didn’t think he will be able to ride it. However, during a sleepless night, he got up at 3am and fixed it with a broken spoon, an allen key, and sailing rope. Also managed to fix the rear derailleur using a screw from the bottle holder… Macgyver skills!
Nico ValsesiaGerardGerardFelix and GehanPhotos from IT northbound : Andy Buchs, Gerard Rumen, Irena Sosinska
Jan – derailleur and hanger broke. Jan went to Granada to fix the bike. He will continue the route in touring mode.
Gérard – derailleur broke last night. Gérard says he is not able to continue the race.
Steven – stuck in the Gorafe Desert last night. Together with Felix and Gehan staying at the cave in Gorafe till tomorrow. They are very optimistic as the forecast is promising.
Luca – continues on the route. Soaking wet but happy, moving forward.
Frederic – stopped early at b&b, he is in La Peza.
Marco – used paved roads to Granada CP2.
Nico – is now on the fast flat section at CP4 – El Cuartico – HALFWAY!.
Luca after descending from the highest route point.Barefoot Jan seeking helpBroken derailleur converted to single speed
Rain turned the route at some sections into a difficult-to-ride muddy piste. Steven came into rain in the Gorafe Desert and was not able to continue and reach Pozo Alcon as planned. He bivied in the Gorafe Desert.
Same time pair riders Felix and Gehan got stuck in the Gorafe Desert and carried their bikes out to Gorafe. They went to the checkpoint this morning and now are waiting for the sun.
Also, Nico is fighting with the mud and cleaning the bike again and again.
The weather forecast for the next days: sunny, 23C.
Photos from the Gorafe Desert IT northbound: Andy Buchs
Today three riders reached CP3 in the Gorafe Desert!
Nico is still in the lead, last night he experienced some extreme mud, rain even snow. Gerard is 50km behind Nico, and Steven is in the third position.
Felix and Gehan are now in Gorafe just before the CP3.
Frederic and Luca reached CP2, Luca will take a rest in Granada, and Frederic continues on the route. Marco should reach CP2 tomorrow.
Jan is truly enjoying the route in his own holiday mode pace.
From sea to sea, from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Bay of Biscay. The Iberica Traversa route brings you through the most remote, surreal, and deserted places of Spain to the new finish at the Cape Higuer Lighthouse in Irun.
Photos from the finish line.
To all registered riders for the May edition: Route files are now ready – please check your email.
Cape Higuer Lighthouse in Irun.Iberica-Traversa finish line for the May edition.
You will come across several obligatory checkpoints on the route. All the checkpoints are unmanned! What do you need to do? Simple, take a selfie with your bike and the object indicated in the route book!
