Dave's Camino Blog: I'll take a pass...

I'm here! In Roncesvalles on the far side of the pass. Weather was great and the pass was so much better than the last time I did it 3 years ago with snow and mud along with a light rain back then.

It was hard enough today just grinding uphill (up to 20% grade), but the good weather made it better. I'm so happy to say that I rode the whole way with about 4 times of walking 10-30 feet when it was too steep or rocky. One of the harder parts was very steep, rocky downhill that kept my brakes very hot and smelly.

There is some kind of rite of passage doing the pass. Kind of a trial by fire for all pilgrims but especially those who started in Saint Jean and it's their first day. There were many we saw and talked with today from Ireland, Canada, France, Germany and a few from really interesting places like Lithuania and the Caribbean.

I happy to say I'm in Roncesvalles Spain with the boarder crossing in the pass being a unremarkable cattle guard. I am staying the night in a hotel here, but secretly wishing I had stayed in the community hostel with many of the pilgrims that made the journey today.

I got a call from Mary this morning wishing me well and giving me a pep talk that I appreciated. I have to say, I'm so glad I chose to do this even though some parts have been very hard both physically and emotionally.

Good thoughts for those back home.

Buen Camino

Dave