Monthly Archives: September 2009

Aniezo to Santander

Spectacular mountain road passes through an impossible arch on a bend before doubling back on itself and dropping steeply away

Since I didn’t have to take down a tent or pack the bike I treated myself to a lie-in, all the way to 10:00. Following a traditional European breakfast, I spent another two hours speaking with John about life in…

Aniezo, final night

Scenic dirt track leads away to mountains on horizon in late afternoon sun

After my fuel stop in Espinilla I carry on south to Aguillar de Campoo, which is as far South as I’ll be going today. The roads here are open, and for the first time I enjoy 3 figure speeds on a…

Espinilla

Biker sits on the floor against a fence in a petrol station, looks very hot

I stop for fuel near Espinilla and get a decent thankful – the attendant knows his craft. Making use of the petrol station’s shade I decide to try a can of Kas Limon, a lemony drink that’s not too fizzy and…

Leaving Llavandes

A plastic table for four stands on a deserted patio in the midday sun, blue skies and mountains in the background

I wake up late morning and make tea on the stove, which at first fires up OK but then cuts out and resists all attempts to ignite the seemingly inert gas. The jet is taken out and cleaned but to…

Mirador de Llavandes

Aerial shot of a sleepy Spanish village

Wake up at 09:00, get a good shower. As a rule, I like any campsite which provides facilities for washing small companion animals. The men’s room at this one provides just such a contraption, rather like a bidet with fold-up…

Bonar to Llavandes via Potes

Covered pavement in tourist town, littered with gift shops and quids

Replete with food and fuel I leave on LE331 and head north-east to Embalse del Porma, a huge lake with a very impressive dam at one end. The well surfaced, empty road skirts the outside of the lake, passing through tunnels…

Mirantes to Boñar

A flock of ponies in the road, trying to outrun my bike

I rise at 09:30 and take down the tent, much to the delight of a pair of Robins, who dart about the place and peck at insects uncovered by the removal of my ground sheet. Saying goodbye to Helena and…

Camping at Mirantes de Luna

Bike and tent safely ensconced in the corner of a campsite

Having decided to spend another day at Mirantes, I left the campsite at 11:00 to find fuel at Magdalena and enjoy a day of riding without luggage. But first some breakfast, and I find a small bar on the edge…

Somiedo to Mirantes de Luna

The view from the tent in the morning of September 2nd was everything I imagined it to be – the sleepy town waking up as the sun rose behind my tent, illuminating the mountains on the other side gradually until the…

Arenal de Moris to Somiedo

A motorcycle helmet and gloves rest on a panoramic guide at a lookout point in the Spanish mountains

In hindsight, my first campsite at Arenal de Moris on the north coast just east of Gijon wasn’t all that great. The owners had placed me at what turned out to be a busy intersection between the rest of the tents (few),…