Day 10 Ona to Loja

After the hard day yesterday the 15th of August started better - no rain and warm.  This was to be a harder day with more climbing in a similar numbers of K's.  We were immediately back on the PA Highway and dropping down to cross a river prior to the first climb of the day, this process was repeated 2 more times this day.  We crossed the river at 2200 metres and then climbed up to 3007 metres to reach the first summit.  Today at this height the weather was kinder and although cooler than below it was at least dry.  We then dropped down to around 2230 metres over another bridge and started the next climb up to 2916 metres which was soon followed by the lunch stop at around 45K.  Today I felt good and had ridden quite hard over these two climbs reaching the lunch stop in 3 hours 45 minutes.  Each day, unless there is a specific reason like traffic problems etc., we are timed so that there can be a rider who can say they road the day, or whole event, the quickest.  I am never going to be the fastest, there are too many younger riders than me, but it is still interesting to see how you can do on a day when you feel good.  The timing for this day was only until lunch and I came in 8th which I was really pleased with, even if it was 70 minutes after the fastest riders!
Lunch was spent in a nice clearing with good views and a little sunshine before continuing the remaining 62K to the finish.  We dropped down to 2370 metres and climbed up again to 2732 metres as well as quite a few other ups and downs on the way to the finish.  The only annoying part of the day being that when we had a good long descent there always seemed to be a strong headwind in our faces!!
The hotel is good, very good  hot showers - sad reflection on what we all consider to be a major luxury - and after a good meal in a local grill and a nice cold beer it was time to hit the sack after another hard day of 107K riding with 2416 metres climbing.