We kicked off at a little after 7 the bikes were kept in our hotels underground car park only accessible via the car lift. Was pretty cool we didn’t fancy breakfast at the hotel so peddled out of Logrono on the Camino path going past a reservoir and park and I remembered there was a cafe there which was just opening so we had some croissant and coffee overlooking the water. Once fed and watered carried on to navarette aiming to find the road and get off the camino path. We soon found the road and the over cast weather was great for cycling in and was allowing us to focus on the long ascending hills and I mean long at one point we did 15k just heading up hill. It was a tough grind but the cool weather helped tho we were both still sweating like pigs.
We discovered we were not taking proper breaks and it’s fair to say both of us are getting numb bum pretty quickly so the breaks were good. We have also been trying to eat more and snack and we feel way better today for it. We soon made good progress and reached St Dom which originally our end goal but due to the cooler weather and our new snacking regime we were in good spirits and after some more grub and an Aquarius lemon we decided to book a room in Belorado which was 21k away on the main road this would also take a huge chunk out of what would have been a long day tomorrow heading to Burgos. After a quick look a swimming pool took my attention and out of 3 options it was an easy pick it’s actually an albergue also so should be busy later and pilgrims will remember it being on the right with all the flags. So we got a twin room with a massage shower. It’s fair to say due to is splitting the bill were not slumming it and to be honest dads famous snoring is not conducive for bunking up in big rooms with other people. As we arrived the sun also popped out so we can dry our clothes and chill by the pool. So today’s total was just over 45 miles which is sumin like 72k and a solid shift. This should leave a semi relaxed 50k cycle into Burgos where I have already booked a hotel next to yeh one I had last year in the centre of town. So we should have plenty of time for sight seeing. And 4 days to Burgos is pretty dam good going.
A few aches and defo numb bum but honestly so far all is good and were enjoying the rides more importantly, I am really enjoying the camino spirit again even tho were hardly slumming it but chatting to people when you stop or in the different places in he evening is great and everyone always has a story. It’s defiantly really good to remember my experience last year too.
Is cycling a true pilgrim? the answer is simply no it’s good, it’s great fun and you can be involved in the spirit and culture but it’s really very different and I would advise anyone who wants to know about the camino, needs to walk it first and cycle it another time. Don’t get me wrong it’s still a huge achievement but when you get to the end of your cycle and are celebrating on the Santiago square a 64 year old is going to come up to you and say they just finished walking it and your going to still feel like you came second. It’s been 3 days now and my feet and legs are fine and in general not all bad, compare that with the walkers at the same point and iv already been handing out blister advice from my experience last year, it really is incredibly difficult and even on the few times we have been cycling on the camino and experiencing the terrain my dad thinks I was nuts to walk it and it’s true this hardship and triumph is what defines a true pilgrim.
The answer to blisters on the camino by the way is threading by the way then use zinc oxide tape over the area. See last years blog for more details.
Any way as always pics from today:
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