Worse one I had. though it was just a day trip. What that I learned very quickly and the hard way about how temperatures can change with altitude and time. It was a nice 20c, so dressed lightly. Cycled up to a place called ronda in southern spain taking the mountain roads. It took me longer than I was anticipating. With 50km still to go and at altitude on top of a mountain, the sun started setting. And the temperature dropped significantly to freezing temperatures, with a wind chill in the minus numbers. And there I am cycling in t-shirts and shorts with no other warm clothes packed. It was a day tour, i had no tent, and I was knackered. The route I had chosn was far more than what I was capable. Just started out. So what could I do? With no food left, I just had to carry on and make it. I was just past half way on the circular route I had planned. So continued. Coming down the mountain towards San Pedro back to the coast was the worst. With one big goal in sight! OpenCor! A chain of convenience stores open till 2am every day even sundays. The 10km downhill back off the mountain was great. Apart from the minus figure wind chill i was plasting through. I could not feeel my fingers i started loosing the ability to use breaks. (bad thing when going down a mountain!) Anyway i did make it to opencor. Got some supplies to give me the energy to do the next 20km back across to estepona.
I have never felt so cold in my life. I sat in an alley to have food and was shivering so much.
It was also amazing just how the body will continue to give when you have no other choice. With 50km to go, and more hills to deal with I was done. But if I'd have stopped with no shelter in those subzero mountain winds, no mobile signal, no tent, no warm clothes and no food I'd have been stuffed!
Still gives us more to talk about than sitting infront of the TV.