Around northern Spain on bikes.

Finally the cycle training that I have previously mentioned was put to use when Jan and I made a cycling and camping trip to the Picos de Europa area of northern Spain. Fortunately, queuing alongside big, noisy motor-bikes to board the Plymouth-Santander ferry did not set the scene for the rest of trip!

I thought you would like to see a few photographs.

Typical architecture of the region.

A hint of Cuba ?  A museum building funded by a Spanish émigré to Cuba who had 'made good'.

A wild flower meadow.

Wild crocus and eryngium (often known as sea-holly).

Picos de Europa is a spectacular Karst limestone landscape with scattered hamlets and villages, roads that are in great condition and drivers that allow plenty of space for cyclists.  Many of the smaller settlements we saw are so remote that they have no mains services and, as is becoming common in rural communities, often no young people. 

This settlement had a very large dog patrolling

Some have large dogs roaming freely to protect stock against wolves.  We also came across cattle wandering freely along the road in little danger from the rare cars.

Ambling along apparently at leisure.

The days developed an enjoyable routine of cycling into the afternoon, finding a good camping spot and then a local restaurant for good food with a bottle of wine.  We even managed to fit in the occasional afternoon snooze!

Definitely at leisure!

The one exception was the day when I went off on my own to do a circular route around the Picos – a distance of 200km and 2000m ascent which took 10 hours.  Yes, I was saddle-sore that day!

As ever, we found that people we met were very friendly and welcoming.  Our little Spanish and their often similarly scant English were easily overcome with the use of please, thank you, smiling and pointing.  A few other encounters were acknowledged with the camera!

Mother and daughter.

A griffon vulture on a thermal.

This character was exploring our tent one night!

A robin that made a few exploratory flights through our tent.

We took everything we needed in panniers on Jan’s bike and a small trailer behind mine and we had a brilliant time.  It is definitely an area to enjoy if you want a good cycling trip.

My bike, a small trailer and a good road - who needs more?