July 23 Somiedo

OK I'll admit I am starting to get weary.  The hills are having an impact and no less for climbing Angliru yesterday and wandering the streets of the old town in Oviedo

Yes I had a small glass of cava for breakfast.

I made sounds saying I was taking a rest day but somehow managed to get prepped and ready for the drive south to the Parque Natural Somiedo.  And I am so glad I did, what an amazing landscape firstly as we drove south on the motorway and as we entered the parque. Its astonishing

The drive was a smooth 80 kilometres or so south towards Leon along the autovia toll road. The landscape is breathtaking but as I was driving I could take photos. Everything is on a grand scale, the motorway glides sinuously along river valleys, around the slops of hills and diving deep under mountains through tunnels.

A moonscape doesnt do this justice as the rocks are heavily vegetated. As we go further south and higher in altitude changes occur to the composition of vegetation and for the first time in Asturias we get cloudless skies. We cross over into the province of Castilla y Leon and arrive at the village of San Emiliano.

As I prep the bike, I realise I didnt put the replacement tyre on, the front has a large slash through the carcass and the boot I put on yesterday is not doing the job, so I deflate the tube, add an additional boot and add another layer of material by consuming a gel and tearing a section of the packet to add another layer of protection.  Pump up the tyre and click in a go.

Legs dont want to though.  So I watch the landscape as the bike takes me forward.

 A short rise and a left hand turn and we start towards a valley, not knowing what lies ahead. A nervous wee stop and we continue on.

Its sunscreen weather and we are loving this despite the fatigue.

A couple of hamlets pass as we gently pootle up the valley, the hills loom large either side. OGF yesterday asked if we wanted to ride the short 4km gravel section downhill or uphill. Most decidely uphill was regarded as safer and easier and I think we might have recosidered that.

High pressure narrow road tyres are not best suited to loose gravel but the gradient also hit 14% and the couple of riders who rode downhill seemed to regard descending as particularly difficult for much the same reasons.

The one photo I tried resulted in my almost immediate veering off the road and stopping. A short few steps and cycling was the preferred option but getting started required a bit too much thought and preparation. I managed it somehow on the first attempt and kept trying to find a smooth line through the large rocks.

This short 4 kilomtre section took us to 1700m asl in 19 minutes average speed 5.7kmh! Rocks pinging off the tyres, wheels moving sideways, wheels spinning, keeping the weight over the front tyre and dodging one or two cars are rolled downhill. A new thing every day

And by climbing this road we were back in Asturias and the landscape was grand, a reward for the effort

I was a bit scared for the integrity of my front tyre but eventually I let gravity work its magic as I swooped through bend after bend, with the selfie thrown in.

Magic stuff.  Ride stats here, and SuperModel's excellent views and opinions here

This tunnel was the lowest altitude for the day at around 600m asl, knowing we had to make 1400m for the pass to get back to the cars. Fuel would be needed and Pola de Somiedo was our lunch stop.

It was a steady 6-7% climb back out after lunch, and it was warm.  The camera wasnt the problem here, my eyes were out of focus from the effort to climb on weary legs

I just want to get to the cars and start the drive back to Las Caldas. Thankfully it was a 200m decline over twenty odd kays.

 San Emiliano has an impressive entry statement, complete with nesting migratory storks

Tired and happy with the day, we scored some cool beers and then packed the cars and drove north. We've been gone all day and so we retire across the road for dinner, very busy and the wait staff of two are rushed off their feet.

No matter.

Tomorrow defs a rest day, packing the bikes, suitcases and the logistics of Madrid.