Spain - Day 3 (later)

Met up with the 'lads' at Las Arenas after a scenic ride along the Rio Cares in a steep sided gorge. Too early for lunch so we pressed on up the big hill (then down so zero sum game) to the campsite, so felt in need of 3 courses with vino - well we have to carb up for Covadonga mountain top Vuelta finish on Sunday.

Spain - Day 3

I awoke to a beautiful day with a view on the breakfast terrace toward the edge of the Pecos mountains to the SW, and N out to the Atlantic Ocean. I can get on my bike and go wherever I want, but today, to coin a phrase, I'll be going 'West of the Pecos'. 'Wagons 'ho!'

Spain - Day 2

Somewhat stiff necked after a night stretched out in the restaraunt, the day har started brightly as I approach the Cantabrian coast. I have noted that the passengers split into distinct groups: families with young children (few now that school is in); older couples and groups (vast majority) presumably on 'saga' experiences; bikers, who amble around like latter-day 'Billy the Kids'; truckers, who I have yet to figure out how to distinguish from the bikers; and cyclists like myself, who cover the range of age, equipment and grades of insanity...

San Vicente

Don't know if this has worked but should be a picture of San Vicente

Spain - Day 2 (later)

San Vicente...a bit like Newquay, except with sun and ambient, alfresco waterside dining with cheap wine, and without the drunks....oh well, the descent down the hill reminded me of it anyway!!

Spain - Day 1

Having successfully negotiated the British transport system as far as the Santander ferry at Pompey I settled down to my first 'continental' nosh, namely a pain au chocolat and machine derived cappucino (ok, so I'm still in the harbour at this point...). Bike storage facilities were exemplary below decks...a corner full of cleaning utensils and superannuated chandlery. Oh well, lets hope dinner steps up to the plate (apalling pun), and the rain is at least outside!

Alternative training on cake and tea

Eschewing the delights of the Tour of Britain and Peak Hill, I took myself off to the South Hams Audax on Sunday for the alternative version, which included a leisurely ride down to the sands (pebbles?)at Slapton and numerous large pieces of cake and cups of tea - now that's what it's all about! It ocurred to me that my audax record in the company of my riding partner (aka spouse) is fraught with incident: attempted 6, completed 5; with 1 punture, 1 rim failure (necessitating a change of wheels and time-trial through deepest Cornwall to get the car) and 1 medium speed 'off' with skin left on the road.

I'll be joining the 'lads' in Spain in a couple of days, who will be 'enjoying' the weather on the Cantabrian coast as I write. The forecast is for Sun later in the week so my ploy of delaying departure may come off...