Burgos to Melgar de Fernamental

September 1, 2024

Bogged down on the Camino

5 hours of riding, 6 hours instead of 3 - not all riding. Road and off road. No idea how many miles somewhere between 35 and 45.

61 degrees to 79 degrees. Amazingly here 61 degrees is not cold. It felt just right. No shade during the ride, definitely hot.

Leaving Burgos is a dream - all paved protected bike paths. Some portions through a park.

Traveled parts of the Camino. Lots of pilgrims hiking. Some muddy potholes and areas, gravel, and occasional fist sized rocks. If I hadn’t had fenders on my rental bike all would have been fine but wearing on my riding partner.

Hay and sunflower fields. Not sure Monet would have been inspired by these box like shapes. Some stacked as big as a building.

Met Margarita at cafe in Hornillos del Camino and shared a shaded table. Nice conversation. She’s carrying all her gear and traveling by herself.

Margarita talking to other pilgrims before continuing her trek.

Rain storm yesterday afternoon with more rain during the night. Bogged down because of mud. Literally forced to a stop. Wheels would not turn.

Spent 30 minutes digging drying mud out from between fender and tire with a plastic tire iron. Old man on motorcycle- no English talked at us. I think telling us how to solve issue.

Hay and sunflower fields. Not sure Monet would have been inspired by these box like shapes. Some stacked as big as a building.

Hay bails stacked like a small building.

Back on the paved road. Took 4047 - lovely rolling hills, Ancient walled towns with large churches soaring in the middle. Ancient buildings and narrow streets. A few modern buildings On the outskirts.

Cut over to N-120 for our final approach to Melgar de Fernamental in quote “heavy traffic” according to google maps. Turned out to be about 6 cars. A little boring. Mostly harvested hay fields with a few sunflower fields here and there.

Dropped down off of N-120 about 3 miles outside of Melgar de Fernamental to a canal trail the lead to our hotel for the night. An old building renovated into a restaurant with 5 rooms. The proprietor did not speak English. Google translate came to the rescue along with our server and a restaurant patron. Ended up with a fabulous serving of Finland cod covered in white and butter sauces, crusty bread, and tomato’s in an olive oil dressing.

Before showering it was time to remove the rest of the caked mud from inside the fenders. Since I was no longer concerned about saving water, a quick rinse of the fenders with the bike upside down solve the remaining issues.

Today's ride: 35 miles (56 km)
Total: 449 miles (723 km)

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