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Di and Chris Bell - Cycletouring in northern Spain
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The Spanish interior couldn't be more different from its touristy Mediterranean coastline. John Claydon and I discovered the beauty of northern Spain from our saddles in the spring of 2012, enjoying snow-capped mountains and fertile valleys, flat plains and mixed forests, picturesque villages which hadn't changed in centuries, excellent roads with little traffic and a wonderful lack of tourist facilities. And one day we shared the Camino de Santiago track with the scores of pilgrims walking towards their Mecca.
Although we found Spanish meal times, shop hours and buses puzzling, we quickly learned to appreciate those delicious Spanish oranges and tortillas, the ready availability of 'menús del día' with wine included and we even indulged in the occasional afternoon siesta!
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Quiet roads, tracks, cyclepaths and towpaths - and an occasional bewildering choice!
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Some stunningly beautiful villages.
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An empty church (Soria), a recycled church (Camino de Santiago) and the village bar (Calatañazor).
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Some village bars sell snacks ('tapas') but the hungry cyclist really needs to find a shop (which can sometimes be quite a challenge!). Village hotels ('hostal') are a bit of a gamble - we had better luck in hostels ('albergue') and we also camped.
Total: 802 km / 501 miles 14 days, with John
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© Di + Chris Bell