1998 – Santiago de Compostela
Peter Hambley (North Staffs) and Peter Swinden (Birmingham).
Cycling from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostella and returning via the “Camino de Norte” 10th Sept. to 1st. Oct.
Day 1
10th Sept, 1998
Route:
SPAIN – Santurtzi, Sestao, Bilboa, Alonsotegui, Villasana de Mena, El Cabrio (740 metres), Villasante de Montija, Espinosa de los Monteros.
Notes:
Hostal Sancho Garcia (3000 pesetas). Overcast and damp.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 60 miles.
Day 2
11th Sept, 1998
Route:
Espinosa de los Monteros, Cueva, Soncillo, Corconte, La Costana, Reinosa, puerto Posagal (987metres), Aquilar de Campoo.
Notes:
Posadas del Romanico Santa Maria la Real Valoria (7000 pesetas). Strong headwind and rain.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 60 miles.
Day 3
12th Sept, 1998
Route:
Aquilar de Campoo, Salinas de Pisuerga, Membrillar, Saldana.
Notes:
Cerviceria “El Vivero (3000 pesetas). Dull with headwind, improving later.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 50 miles.
Day 4
13th Sept, 1998
Route:
Saldana, Terradillos de los Templaros, Sahagun, Bercianos del Real Camino, El Burgo Ranero, Villamarco, Mallilos, Mansilla de las Mulas.
Notes:
Hotel Mansilla de las Mulas. Headwind but conditions brighter.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 48 miles.
Day 5
14th Sept, 1998
Route:
Mansilla de las Mulas, Leon, La Virgen del Camino, Hospital de Orbigo, Astorga,Murias, El Ganso, Rabanal del Camino.
Notes:
Refugio Rabanal del Camino (donation). Windy and sunny.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 55 miles.
Day 6
15th Sept, 1998
Route:
Rabanal del Camino, Foncebaden (1500 metres), Manjarin (1517 metres), Acebo, Molinaseca, Ponferrada, Camponaraya, Cacabelos, Villafranca del Bierzo, Vega de Valiarca, El Castro, puerto de Pedrafitta (1109 metres), Cebreiro.
Notes:
Refugio Cebreiro (donation). Damp start, later very hot.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 56 miles.
Day 7
16th Sept, 1998
Route:
Cebreiro, puerto el Poyo (1337 metres), Triacastela, Samos, Sarria, Portomarin, Posada del Camino.
Notes:
Low Cloud in the valleys and light wind. Hot afternoon.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 45 miles.
Day 8
17th Sept, 1998
Route:
Portomarin, Gonzar, Ligonde, Palais de Rei, Melide, Arzua, Ferreiro, Santiago de Compostella.
Notes:
Andrew Bradshaws flat (3 nights 7500 pesetas). Very hot.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 62 miles.
Total distance; 436 miles in 8 days
Return via “Camino del Norte”.
Day 11
20th Sept, 1998
Route:
Santiago de Compostella, Labacolla, Ferreiro, Arzua, Viladavil, Corredoiras, Sobrado dos Monxes.
Notes:
Cistercian Monastery at Sobrado (donation). Very hot.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 36 miles.
Day 12
21st Sept, 1998
Route:
Sobrado dos Monxes, Cruces, Mariz, Guiteriz, Baamondew, Villalba, puerto de la Xesta (545 metres), Mondonedo, Vilanova.
Notes:
Hotel at Vilanova (3600 pesetas). Early mist, hot later.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 62 miles.
Day 13
22nd Sept, 1998
Route:
Vilanova, Ribadeo, Navia, Cadavedo, Ballota, Cudillero.
Notes:
Marin’s Hotel, Concha de Artedo (6500 pesetas). Dull start, hot after lunch.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 80 miles.
Day 14
23rd Sept, 1998
Route:
Cudillero, Soto del Barco, Penaullan, Grado, Vega de Anzo, Oviedo.
Notes:
Refugio at Oviedo (donation). Early heavy rain, hot after lunch.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 38 miles.
Day 15
24th Sept, 1998
Route:
Oviedo, Colloto, Pola de Siero, Nava, Arriondas, Cangas de Onis.
Notes:
Hotel los Robles (5000 pesetas). Fine start, raining later.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 34 miles.
Day 16
25th Sept, 1998
Route:
Cangas de Onis, La Riera, Covadonga, Cangas de 0nis, Tornin, Amieva, Priescas, Taranes Junction, Priescas, Amieva.
Notes:
La Ruta Amieva (2500 pesetas). Damp start, hot in the afternoon.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 40 miles.
Day 17
26th Sept, 1998
Route:
Amieva, Oseja de Sajambre, puerto del Ponton (1280 metres), puerto de Panderruedas (1450 metres), Posada de Valdeon.
Notes:
Pension Begona (4300 pesetas). Bright start deteriorating at lunch. Freezing wet ascent and worse descent later.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 30 miles.
Day 18
27th Sept, 1998
Route:
Posada de Valdeon, Cain, Camarmena, Arangas de Cabrales, Trescares, Panes, Unquera, San Vicente de la Barquera.
Notes:
Hostel la Pas, Vicente (3300 pesetas). Drying out quickly the sun returned.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 50 miles.
Day 19
28th Sept, 1998
Route:
San Vicente de la Barquera, Trecento, Cabezon de la Sal, Valle de Cabuerniga, Renedo, Balcon de la Cordosa, puerto de Palombera (1260 metres), Espinilla, Reinosa.
Notes:
Hotel Ruben, Reinosa (4000 pesetas). Very hot.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 52 miles.
Day 20
29th Sept, 1998
Route:
Reinosa, La Costana, Corconte, Soncillo, Cueva, Espinosa de los Monteros.
Notes:
Hostal Sancho Garcia (5500 pesetas). Cloudy and windy with occasional showers.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 40 miles.
Day 21
30th Sept, 1998
Route:
Espinosa de los Monteros, Noceco, Berceda, puerto el Cabrio (740 metres), Villasana de Mena, Balmaseda, Mercadillo, Somorrostro, Muskiz, Ciervana, Santurtzi.
Notes:
Pension at Santurtzi (4000 pesetas). Cold start followed by showers, brighter evening.
Duration / Distance:
Cycling distance; 45 miles.
Total Distance 507 miles in 11 days.
Grand Total Distance 943 miles in 19 days.
