In Palencia: Day 2

May 9, 2024

You’ve already seen something of our morning. We went out to lunch, and I took a few more photos of town. After lunch we both got out again later in the day. Rachael went for a walk along the river and then across into the hills west of town. It looks and sounded very pleasant.

I went birding of course, to a lake-like slack bend in the Pisguera that looked like a good birding spot. All in all, I think Rachael had the better of it this time.

The ride started out pleasantly, on a riverside bike path that crosses the Carrión river here, follows it to the south of town, recrosses it and turns back north. About two miles longer than the direct route east, but much quieter.

The Carrión River. It will merge in to the Pisuerga (the river that splits Valladolid) just south of town.

The cottonwood fluff was terrible. I was hacking and choking by the time I left the river.

About six miles into the ride I left the pavement for a short cutting connector. It was fine, but on the way back I stayed on the pavement and added a mile.

Crossing the Pisuerga River. Just on the other side I’ll turn off onto a dirt track to follow the river to an alleged birding hot spot.

This track was fine too, except for this short stretch where the spray from a field irrigation system would intermittently pivot and douse it. I timed my ride and dashed across, dodging puddles and beating the spray.

The track got worse and muddy, so I got off and walked. I gradually realized the bike was getting quite difficult to push.

I’m across now, might as well keep going to the hot spot.

Very nice, but no birds to speak of. All for nothing.

A road cut on the way back shows what we’re dealing with. The clay reminds me of the kaolinite formations in southern Utah.

Today's ride: 23 miles (37 km)
Total: 1,399 miles (2,251 km)

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