Day Four: Cycling the Cortals Valley 4th

Whilst we were up and about by 0800 it was a much slower start to the day as we were not ‘fitted’ for bikes and helmets until around 1000.  Not one to rest on our laurels, Abbey and I went for a morning stroll while the boys joined Andy and Charlie for a spot of Alpine cricket.

 Our guides for the today were Stewart and Simon who both proved fantastic with the kids.  After determining suitable mounts, Stewart provided a safety brief and then sent us off for a trial ride around the hotel area.  Thankfully both Zac and Abbey showed their competence early on and seemed excited by the day ahead so the guides had little to concern themselves with us.  It was probably nearer 1100 by the time the bikes were on the trailer and we hit the road and the sun was blessedly bright and warm.

 Today’s destination was the stunningly beautiful Cortals Valley, about a 30-minute drive away just up the hill from the town of Encamp.  We parked at a car park at one end of a very pleasant, and rather flat, 3km route which would take us along the side of the mountain and on to Engolasters Lake.  Stewart rode with us whilst Simon moved one of the Land Rovers on to our lunch destination. 

True to the brochure, the views were incredible as we made our way through a short tunnel and down the path.  The skies were a clear blue and all was right with the world.  Only Harriet really had any issues as she had only recently earned her riding licence whilst Abbey proved to be a little dynamo.  Zac relished in the section where the rather large pot holes were full of water deciding the best route was straight through the middle!

 Views back down to Encamp

 Yes, I think we could get used to this!

 Zac in pot hole heaven

 Views on to Andorra La Vella

 Harriet had had enough for the time being on reaching one point so Simon took her on to our lunch spot whilst the rest of us did a bit more off roading to a look out offering panoramic views towards Andorra La Vella and beyond.

 After soaking up the scenery, Nathan, Abbey and Kerry rode back in the direction we had come whilst the rest of us followed Stewart towards a more challenging path.  This was our first real test of proper down hill mountain biking and Zac was somewhat hesitant at first.  To his credit he stuck with it only dismounting to walk the quite steep ascent that followed but remounting for the final uphill kick to the rendezvous car park.

We ate our picnic lunch on the edge of a woodlands bike track and then had a fantastic time attempting the navigate the various rocky paths and jumps on offer (okay, only a brave few of us attempted the more challenging jumps involving large heights and boulders!)  Nathan showed off his agility and even Abbey gave the see-saw a go.

 It was soon time to make our way back to the car park via the lake and onto the waiting vehicles.  The lake itself was incredibly picturesque and the track back once again wowed us with amazing scenery.  Zac took off like a rocket and was not seen again until back at our start point whilst Nathan, Abbey and I took our time drinking in the views as we went.

 If you look really (really) closely you can just make out Zac before he enters the tunnel

 There was to be no rest for the wicked, or at least for the adventurous few as our guides presented us with the ‘totem pole challenge’.  Looking up, then up again from the car park we could just make out two tall poles sticking out from the trees.  The challenge was to ride up….hmmm??  Action man Andy led the way and was soon lost in the distance with Paul hot on his heals.  I followed Nathan whilst Sorrel slipped some distance behind as we, quite stupidly, took them up on this challenge.  I am led to believe that this ascent of some 3km or so follows part of the Tour of Spain route – just fab!!  Not sure if you can make out the road signs but we rode at gradients ranging from 7.6% to 8.9% rising some 300 odd metres over the course of our route.  Just as well the views were nothing short of spectacular as they proved a welcome distraction from the burn in the thighs!!

 Having reached the totem poles in one piece the next challenge was to continue up to a picnic spot further up the mountain.  It must have been the effects of altitude as we opted to take on this further challenge rather than settling for a lift in the waiting land rover.  The kids along with Sarah and Kerry who had opted out of this challenge were all very supportive as they drove on by!

 Enough was really enough after a total of around 40 minutes up hill riding!

 Are we there yet?

Needless to say, what took us some 40 minutes to climb, took us around 10 minutes to descend with an exhilarating (and at times butt clenching) switch-back descent back to the lower car park.

 If you look closely, you can just see me tackling the switch back

All slightly weary, it was time to head back to the hotel for some R&R.  Dinner tonight was Catalonian inspired fish pie (Nathan had sausages!) followed by profiteroles.  The kids were in heaven when presented with cans of whipped cream – it’s the little things in life!!  All thoroughly exhausted, Abbey just had time to fit in some Spanish Scooby Doo before bed.