Santander

After that second day at the Vuelta my legs were feeling a little wobbly in the morning. When I woke rain was pouring down. The forecast was for dry. I waited till there was a lull at 10 then packed the bike and off. Of course it rained on the way.

The route profile looked all down, but I hadn’t anticipated the spikes, and lots of them and high. I was hoping to do 120k. By one I knew that wasn’t going to happen. The road kept going up, and my legs werw so tired.

I had highlighted 2 campsites I knew the further one was not going to happen. But I suddenly came upon the first.

I was lucky to get the tent up, still a bit wet from the last use. About an hour drying as I showered and all was fine.

Just enough time to wash my shorts, eat then sleep.

6am wake and left the campsite just as it was starting to get light. I had highlighted a campsite 10kms before Santander.

Today seemed flat on the route profile but there did seem to be a lot of bumps.

I really didn’t think toomuch, the sun was hot, I was definately tires

There were some beautiful towns and villages. This region really us spectacular. I was hugging the coast.

Then just as I got into Santander I got a little confused so was dragging my bike over a curb and a thorn got in. My back tire is paper thin now. 2500kms is it’s limit I think.

Komoot lowest to take you around the houses, especially when a straight route would suffice and also bike paths really confuse the issue. Anyway, I discovered the campsite i was aiming for was closed, so adjusted to my second choice another 15kms. As I got nearer I rode fasted, desperate to get washed and settled, getting close to 6pm 11 hours on the road. I charged into the campsite, passport, I’d drew out my debit card and the receptionist said, we only take cash. Just at the end of my ride I’m not the happiest of bunnies and I am sorry to say I flipped, yes there was swearing, yes I raged, threw my arms into the air, spat the dummy out the pram. The receptionist calmly said, there’s an atm about 15 mins drive away. This doubled my anger.

Bookings.com is my friend I’m now in an overpriced sleazy hotel 1km away from the ferry.