"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).

[jumartoo]

I've found what looks like a lovely ride to do today. It takes us to a village, with waterfalls (maybe not at this time of year?) that I'd earmarked to visit anyway.

I'm just hoping that this won't be the third route to go "pear shaped"

 

[jumar]

I've found what looks like a lovely ride to do today. It takes us to a village, with waterfalls (maybe not at this time of year?) that I'd earmarked to visit anyway.

I'm just hoping that this won't be the third route to go "pear shaped"

Have faith..,

 

[jumar]

Have faith..,

We got there and got back with bikes and bodies intact...was a bit tough in places but very rewarding indeed....@jumartoo photos and report later.....currently enjoying post ride replenishment...

 

[jumartoo]

Well, third ride with a bit of non riding thrown in. I WAS expecting it, so we went prepared.

It was lovely, all in all. Some high level riding through cattle and horses and then a steep, very steep, descent down to the river. We saw some people (men) sitting on camping chairs on one of our steep bits. It looked very strange (couldn't even think of taking a photo). It turned out they were resting, after doing some strimming .

Once on the flat bit we rode a lovely track and stopped to talk to a couple with touring bikes. Amazingly, and I use that sparingly, they were Peruvian/Germans (born and raised in Peru with German parents for 20+ years, then moved to Germany). They both spoke excellent English as well.

We spent 15 minutes or so chatting about Peru and our YT (German) bikes.

We then went to view a fairly dry waterfall and then we had a bit of pushing and riding until we reached the village of Orbaneja del Castillo. It has a few parking areas on P4N, and I had it in mind to visit on our way here, until I found the ride we've just done that visited it.

It's a very lovely village (a bit touristy though) with its view of the hole in the rock, and the waterfall that falls between buildings (it must be stunning in the wet season).

We had a bit more pushing to do on our uphill return, but, again it was expected, and then we had an easy, if bumpy, final 10 km back to base.

Ponies

And me, looking happy early on.

Just before the descent.

A concreted top part didn't warn of the loose stuff still to come.

The riverside path. Ponies where we spoke to the Peruvian/Germans.

And further along, and then the weak waterfall.

More to follow ...

 

[jumartoo]

After we rode, and pushed over some narrow rocky bits, we got the first view of the rock arch.

We then crossed the river over a nondescript bridge and up to the road where we met a big group of (motor) bikers. The photo everyone was taking was duly taken, and then we rode the bikes up the (residents only for cars) narrow streets.

The parking areas are just before this spot. See P4N.

Then some photos from the village. It's worth a visit.

The rock arch from a better viewpoint.

We repassed it on the first part of our return.

That didn't go entirely right, according to our route, but we corrected and rejoined our proposed route and got back to the van without even a bramble scratch!

This would have been missed on our original route

Just after lunch back at the van we heard an overhead chopper sound. Three Chinooks went over together.

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[jumartoo]

Today we chose an "Easy" graded route to do, taking us out on the route we walked to the Dolmen and beyond to a viewpoint down to the valley we went to yesterday, and to an Observatory, before taking us across some wild, rocky moorland, to some of the old nodding donkeys and oil wells.

The museum here is closed now, except at weekends, much to my disappointment. I had to Google the oil, industry here and, the last well closed in 2017.

The stretch across the wild, open, moorland was a bit testing, we just had to follow the line on our Garmin's, pushing through a few of the really rocky bits, as there was no line on the ground. We were seen, and barked at, by a Mastin, but luckily it didn't come after us. We couldn't get the fence open to get out of the area, the barbed wire was well and truly stapled, even though it was a gateway of sorts, so we had to feed the bikes under the wire and roll ourselves under .

After some nice track riding we saw the nodding donkeys, very close to our village.

Back, bikes away, cleaned up and we were in the bar across the road for a very nice lunch (even though Google says the kitchen is closed until 2 pm on Friday!) Martin had already spoken to the owner who'd reserved us a table.

Moving on tomorrow. Going to brave the big city of Burgos.

 

[Jays2]

Quite like Burgos, are you staying in the city?

 

[jumartoo]

Quite like Burgos, are you staying in the city?

I think we are likely to be shopping, topping up with fuel and leaving.

We "did" Burgos some years ago when we stayed there when cycling the Camino Frances.

 

[jumar]

Haven't we done well..The rain has arrived and it's feeling quite cool at 1004 masl (metres above sea level)
We need to make plans for a wet morning and the days ahead...
Been in contact with a couple of bike manufacturers who might have what we need to add to our collection...We have a couple of YT Decoys with us and a couple of Canyon Gravel bikes back at base..
Looking into returning to multiday off-road touring...Cube and Canyon can supply...

 

[jumartoo]

We slept with a rocking van due to high winds from outside, and woke to the forecast rain.

We managed to get a dry spell to use the service point and then we had, what could have been a very scenic drive, down to Burgos.

Mercadona was found easily, and I shopped freely, and was surprised with the eventual bill. Not as much as I'd anticipated. The fuel stop was just down the road (the cheapest around but not as cheap as we've had on this trip, bit who's counting?)

More later ...

We then scurried away from the busy city to a motorhome parking I'd found. As we turned in we realised we'd been here before. When? We had a discussion about that. Martin was much closer than me in his guess, but it was only decided when I suggested he checked his Wikiloc routes. I then found my photos.

Just how could it only have been in August 2020 . I thought about 7 years ago

The skies cleared for us when we arrived.

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[jumartoo]

The who's counting bit came from a Polarstep follower, who couldn't believe we'd been away for 110 days already. That then led me to calculate our average, daily, drive. (Adding the 400+ km missing from the beginning) we now have a grand total of 4,070 km which dividing by 110 gives us an average of 37 km a day.

We'd do more a day going from our apartment to our nearest town and back, and a bit more going to the coast and back. And, being Conservative about fuel prices, has cost us about 6€ a day.

With so many free, official, parkups, it's a nobrainer!

 

[Peavy]

Where around Burgos are you guys at now?
I couldn't figure It out from your latests posts.

 

[jumartoo]

Where around Burgos are you guys at now?
I couldn't figure It out from your latests posts.

We're south of Burgos now at Santa María del Campo.

 

[jumartoo]

After yesterday's rain we were a bit worried about getting muddy bikes, so, instead of riding where we went 3 years (yes only 3 years) ago, Martin found a gravel bike route that, although it didn't start here, came through here.

And what a very pleasant ride we had. An emtb has opened up so much for us. We've used them for touring between villages, and then been up, and down, some pretty steep, and rough, tracks. The touring bit, though has been the best in some ways.

The first village (with the Morrocan sounding name of Mahamud) was pleasant but then they got better. For us, though the last 8km were the best. Some lovely riding along smooth tracks, with very nice (unusual in one place) scenery.

Mahamud, the church (sun in the wrong place, again) and a mud brick built building.

The church at Ciadoncha. Love the blue windows.

Then we rode some, roundabout, distance to the village of Presencio (where we'd driven through yesterday in the murk and rain).

And then a very nice ride to another small village (Palazuelos de Muño) with some cave houses, and an unusual sculpture next to another nice church building.

And ... I'll start another post from here on.

 

[Peavy]

We're south of Burgos now at Santa María del Campo.

Nice place! I We're on trip to Burgos now. Currently at Burgo de Osma, heading to San Esteban de Gormaz.
First time for us with the van here. We're enjoying this area!

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[jumartoo]

From there we rode alongside the Rio Arlanzon. Along some gravel tracks, through some grassy ones, and back onto some in between.

(Three Bear ride)!

Anyway, we eventually arrived at Barrio de Muño and then onto Belbimbre (with the strange structures on the hill), before arriving back "home".

The motorhome area is filling up, mostly with "guiries", some of whom seem to be heading south for the winter, looking at what they're taking with them.

 

[jumartoo]

Nice place! I We're on trip to Burgos now. Currently at Burgo de Osma, heading to San Esteban de Gormaz.
First time for us with the van here. We're enjoying this area!

What a shame we won't meet (this time). But ... maybe

 

[Peavy]

Yes, who knows?
Buen viaje!

 

[Baggydave]

We're south of Burgos now at Santa María del Campo.

Really liked Burgos, birth place of el cid. Easy city to visit & ride along the river. Good aire in the middle of town too.

 

[jumartoo]

Really liked Burgos, birth place of el cid. Easy city to visit & ride along the river. Good aire in the middle of town too.

We rode one of the routes of El Cid, some years ago. (On normal bikes in those days).

We went through some stunning terrain.

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[Kurt and Ko]

Have just caught up with your trip after being away ourselves. Some stunning places you have visited, thanks for all the wonderful photos. I have really enjoyed your post.

 

[jumartoo]

Have just caught up with your trip after being away ourselves. Some stunning places you have visited, thanks for all the wonderful photos. I have really enjoyed your post.

Thanks for your response. I hope I have given you some ideas for future trips, and keep following as we go back home to Murcia, and neighbouring areas over the autumn/winter/spring.

I've committed to doing "A Year in Spain"

There are some brilliant places to visit just inland from the popular south/southeast coasts.

 

[jumar]

Anyone mentioned looking for new bikes?
No?

Must be me then .....got jumartoo a Cube SLT 2023 model...but not in production until later this year early next.so it's a 2024...

I've had to settle for a Grand Canyon On 9 which the company gave me a generous discount...Thank you Canyon...
Will arrange delivery from Germany when we eventually get home...no rush...we have our YTs with us, as like the riders... getting a little tired....

 

[gus-lopez]

'Adobe' it is called & what the majority of our place is ,underneath the rendering & stonework. My neighbour actually helped build most of our house ,which was where he was born . All the 'bricks' 16"x8"x8" had to be made by hand. works of art they are.

birth place of el cid.

Isn't it also where both he & his wife are now buried?

 

[jumartoo]

This morning we were awake late for us. Some we know (Stef for one would be still in the midst of her slumbers). So when the Belgian next to us fired up his truck to leave, it didn't affect us .... until he didn't leave.

He has an old Clouliner towing a trailer with a scooter. When he hitched up, the trailer blew a fuse. Constantly. Four times.

So .... Martin went to speak to them. (Thanks goodness for the English language still being universal).

Cutting a long story short. We went for our ride. When we got back they were still here, looking into the cause of the problem.

Martin spent some time with them and .... over to jumar

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[jumar]

This morning we were awake late for us. Some we know (Stef for one would be still in the midst of her slumbers). So when the Belgian next to us fired up his truck to leave, it didn't affect us .... until he didn't leave.

He has an old Clouliner towing a trailer with a scooter. When he hitched up, the trailer blew a fuse. Constantly. Four times.

So .... Martin went to speak to them. (Thanks goodness for the English language being universal).

Cutting a long story short. We went for our ride. When we got back they were still here, looking into the caise of the problem.

Martin spent some time with them and .... over to jumar

The old van was in a 24v system....the trailer was 12v.....so a converter was required...and low and behold...that was the source of the problem....it had been subjected to a short circuit which has caused the fuses to blow...currently trying to get a replacement...I've suggested converting the trailer lighting to 24v....could be a cheaper option as the converter is 200€ and we are fairly remote here...

 

[jumartoo]

And ... while Martin is posting about our neighbours, I can post about our ride today.

We were zipping along wide tracks, saying "this is what we should be doing, at our age, now!) when the track we were on turned right on a tiny, narrow, path. We thought it was just avoiding a plowed field, but it continued...........

It wasn't dangerous, or difficult, except for in a couple of places, where I (being cautious) dismounted and walked with my bike.

After this bit, it was very easy riding, and, very, disappointingly short.

Me, thinking I was only skirting the field below, to the left.

To find we were on a narrow ridge, looking at the ruin...

... that we, eventually, due to my slowness .. arrived.

... and that we, eventually, descended from.

(Martin descending) I got off for that (very short) bit, only because I'd already stopped to look . But who cares, I'm here to ride another day.

 

[Peavy]

The old van was in a 24v system....the trailer was 12v.....so a converter was required...and low and behold...that was the source of the problem....it had been subjected to a short circuit which has caused the fuses to blow...currently trying to get a replacement...I've suggested converting the trailer lighting to 24v....could be a cheaper option as the converter is 200€ and we are fairly remote here...

There's always something to do, someone to help. You don't get bored, no te aburres.
That's something interesting about motorhoming, isn't It?

 

[jumartoo]

There's always something to do, someone to help. You don't get bored, no te aburres.
That's something interesting about motorhoming, isn't It?

It's one of the things we love about motorhoming. Helping out, or being helped out, by fellow motorhomers.

 

[Mr porky]

It's one of the things we love about motorhoming. Helping out, or being helped out, by fellow motorhomers.

It's nice to be helped or to help, however I much prefer it when nothing goes wrong.

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