June 12, 2014
San Sebastian/Donostia
West along the Basque coast
Pretty short ride today, and not too many biking notes. We started off by following the lovely coastal route to the Spanish border. It is all very pretty along this stretch, particularly at a dramatic spot south of Ciboure where flinty, exposed plates dip steeply to the sea. Starting at the border, navigation was a bit of a mess for a few miles through Honorribia (that is, we got lost again) until we finally found our way clear to the road to Jaizkibel, a minor pass through a short ridge that parallels the coast. After that, it's downhill all the way to the outskirts of San Sebastián.
Cycling into San Sebastián is a bit of a shock - it's an actual city, and the largest place we've been since leaving home. We've been here before too, on the same trip that took us through Saint-Jean-de-Luz - in fact, I recall us getting lost in Honorribia on that trip as well - so we only planned to stay one night here. It is certainly worth more time though - the two mile walkway along the edge of the bay (La Concha) is a pure delight - a steady stream of walkers, bikers, skaters and loafers taking in one of the most scenic harbors imaginable. Now that we are here, I wish we had budgeted another night so we could hang out longer.
Net elevation gain: 3,000' today, 98,100' total.
Today's ride: 35 miles (56 km)
Total: 1,164 miles (1,873 km)
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