I had 10 days to cycle round and explore the area, the main goal was to get up into the Picos De Europa. Had some fantastic days cycling, it was cloudy for a couple of days but the rest of the time it was nice and hot. Needless to say that the tan was topped up quite nicely. Drank so much water, it's very tiring cycling over mountain passes that are over 200m higher than Ben Nevis in 30 degree heat with the sun beating done on you.
Low point of the trip, breaking my camera when I was pushing (and at some points carrying) my bike fully laden with panniers along a 12km mountain pass that follows a deep gorge. Fantastic views, but not the best route for the faint hearted considering that you are walking along a rocky path that's only about 2m wide that has been carved into the side of the gorge with a 100m plus vertical drop to the bottom. The 3rd from last photo shows this path. Absolutely amazing to walk along because of the scenery, just not the best for what I was doing. But it was a case of grin and bare it, because I had the choice of push the bike for 12km through this pass (which is the only pass) or cycle around the mountains which would of been two days worth of cycling. This was probably the most physically and emotionally draining task I have ever undertaken. Completely knackered at times carrying my bike up a steep rocky path in that heat. I'm not the most confident with heights especially in those conditions when a slight stumble could of resulted in a big red splat at the base of the gorge. It was really upsetting at the time but luckily my most major stumble only resulted in damaging my camera and breaking my pannier carry on my front forks.
Left the mountains after that day because I felt very drained so I headed down to the coast to see the sea to recharge my emotional batteries. Very nice stretch of coast, I remember on one day when I was cycling back towards Santander I stopped and went swimming at 3 different beaches.
All in all some lovely areas to explore by bike.
