We started the day with bike maintenance as the cold weather was having an effect on the gears. It was a little wet outside after a night of light drizzle but we set on our way towards the Andorran border, only 10kms away. The road wound at the base of the mountain as the frost line in the trees came closer to the road we were travelling on. We had a quick stop at the border to get our passport stamped and as it was still just above zero degrees with low dark clouds, which might have rain for us ahead, we made it to Andorra la Vella where the clouds opened up for sunshine. At around zero degrees we ate lunch in the street, trying to keep warm, and then continued to wind our way up the valley towards the peak.
The climbing meant we were burning through the energy. We had to stop every 5 kms to refuel with water and energy bars. The road had been recently ploughed and the snow was built up to the side. The edge of the road was like a dirty slurpee from 7-11 and every now and again we had to dodge large boulders of coagulated snow. Just over the guard-rail was the fresh white powder snow that the skiers come here for. As the road climbed and turned it revealed greater and greater peaks, one of which we were supposed to climb.
The cold was so extreme that our water bottles were starting to freeze and the tunnel through the mountain looked pretty good at this stage, but we powered on. Previously cars gave us waves and beeps of encouragement, but now it was cold and steep, with a white snow-laden road. Those that passed us were more surprised and shocked. People waved, recorded videos, and took photos as we struggled our way up the final ascent. Even the snow plough driver stopped to take photos of us. The snow on the road made it difficult to power up the hill. Our tyres, full of snow, keep spinning in the white powder, but with persistence, we got there. We were cold and exhausted, but happy to be at the top, 2408m. We were without water as it was all frozen, and for good reason, it was actually -11 degrees.
At the top we met a couple from Spain, after taking a few photos of us they invited us in to the warmth and a cold beer, some cheese and sausage. We talked for a while, and enjoyed the well deserved beer, in this short period of time the weather outside turned nasty with the temperature dropping to -14 with a snow storm setting in. We decided to stay in the warm hotel for the night after a quick dash outside to save the bike from being buried under the falling snow.
Pyrenees, done.
