Perhaps the fact it rained pretty much all the way down through France to the Pyrenees was a warning of things to come. Our hotel was in Canfranc Estación which is near the summit of Somport, the first climb in the Quebrantahuesos, this was a good location for the normal very hot conditions as it was high up on the mountain, but pretty cold and gloomy with the weather this year.
On the morning of the Quebrantahuesos it was raining as usual at the hotel but became warm and sunny as we drove past Jaca towards Sabiñanigo. Ever the optimist I changed out of my three-quarter bib-shorts and left my waterproof jacket behind in the car.
QH 2010 ready to go
At least I had enough sense to wear a gillet and arm warmers, and then it was off to the start in Sabiñanigo.
This was all it had promised to be, great atmosphere with thousands of very fit looking Spanish club cyclists lined up in a huge queue. They were all wearing full club kit sponsored by their employers with shaved legs shiny with embrocation, they really looked like they were ready for business.
A few minutes before the start helicopters came roaring low overhead which added to the sense of excitement. Then at 7:30 am the gun went and those in the front pens (reserved for celebrities and people with good times in previous editions) started off, it then took 10 minutes or so before my part of the queue passed over the timing mats. (more…)
