Bimbache Extrem - Castilla y Leon

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Flags and Fortresses

Rob Howard / 02.10.2010

With boxes and bikes delivered the teams walked out in the baking afternoon heat to cross the road to meet at the monument after which the hotel hosting the race is named, The Cuatro Postes. The four Doric columns offer a dramatic viewpoint of the city and it was the perfect place for teams to gather in their green, logoed race bibs and be photographed with their national flags before the opening procession into the town.

Led by police riders the parade crossed the old bridge to reach the city walls, passed through one of the arched gateways and made its way up onto the restored city walls. The atmosphere was relaxed as teams chatted happily and it was a colourful scene as the teams spread out along the walls, waving their flags and enjoying the views down into the town, while a helicopter filmed from above. Most of the teams had already wandered along the close, cobbled streets to find cafes in the many squares but the view from above wrevealed many hidden courtyards and details unseen from below. Small geometric gardens were oasis of green in the red and grey stone, and across the rooftops storks nest could be seen on the church towers.

The path along the castellations led past turrets and up into the centre of town to reach the 12th century church of San Pedro were the walkway was on a level with its rose window, then the procession walked down through the town, causing a significant traffic jam all around as the police closed off all the roads to allow them passage. Eventually they arrived at another church which now appears to be used for conferences, where the race briefing and the issue of the maps too place. Teams sat in the nave below an immense vaulted ceiling to hear details of the race safety, Spot GPS tracking and finally the route, before hurrying back to the hotel to plan for the race ahead.

[A new photo gallery of the procession has just been posted.]See All Event Posts