Today (Sunday) we left the campsite near Segovia to start our journey toward Santander via a last night stop in a hotel on the coast in San Vicente de la Barquera. We had approximately 250 miles to ride now, nearly all in a Northerly direction. Lindsay had planned the route to avoid the AutoPista (motorway) first heading toward Palencia via country back roads then via the CL615 straight into Cantabria and over the Picos de Europa mountain range to St Vicente.
We set of at 8.05, with a cool slightly cloudy morning. Being a Sunday there was hardly an traffic as we passed by Segovia, and later turned off onto country roads filled with wheat and sunflowers either side of us. We passed through village after village, usually with one or two people walking by the side of the road- usually old people. Some were sweeping and cleaning their steps, very few young people to be seen, and almost zero traffic. The temperature was just tipping 20 degrees, but as we climbed up to a great plateau it remained cool, perfect riding weather.
One of the village churches we passed. Empty and almost a ghost town this time of day. The Sierra de Guadarrama mountains in the distance behind us now.
Early morning selfie - i'm not really awake yet! I think Lindsay was a bit concerned as he found me quiet on the bike to bike intercom.
Here's a Ghost Rider shot (ref: NP), the kind of straight roads. Much more interesting than the Motorway though, with the odd fast bend every now and again to liven things up a bit, and wake me up too! I saw an Eagle perched on a fence post, and Lindsay saw a fox dart across the road. We also saw some wild horses again too.
We soon rattled off over 100 miles by 10.30 due to the fast traffic free roads. We climbed another plateau with row upon row of windmills (electric generator type) all casting long shadows across the road in front.
Soon after we stopped at a little town I forget the name for breakfast - another Spanish omelette and sausage each with a coffee. Outside the cafe there were several walkers with shells attached to their rucksacks, and we realised we had intersected with part of the Camino Pilgramage again. I noticed one guy seemed to be running it!
Another 45 minutes or so, we started to see the Picos de Europa mountain range in the distance while my random IPod playlist selected Spanish Bombs by the Clash - made me laugh !
Eventually we reached a lay by we recognised from a previous trip through the Picos, where I took a photo of my Harley Low Rider in the same place. I had to grab the same photo with my GS too of course !
Later after threading our way up and down the valleys of the Picos we came across this Dam, and waterfall.
Woke up now, it's ok Lindsay you can talk to me LOL.
We made good time arriving on the Costa Verde ( the green coast ) by 2pm.
No problem locating the hotel - Residencia Miramar, can thoroughly recommend with a a great view especially from the restaurant / bar where you can see righr across both beaches and the estuary.
Church/Chapel near the hotel.
Harbour fishing ships.
Boats in estuary waiting for the tide to rise.
So, since I'm on the coast, its the last meal in Spain, I saved the best for last and ordered the Seafood Paella at a great restaurant in the main town.Lindsay not a great seafood lover ordered a very nice looking mixed salad, we both washed these down with Sangria.
Hats off to Lindsay for planning a superb route back up, it was fast yet had a real mix of riding. It left me wondering why would anyone want to use the Motorway!
40 miles to Santander to catch the ferry back home.
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