Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Tonibe63
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Tonibe63 »

Flintlock wrote: Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:07 pm It was not too long before the others arrived back, having ticked off some more trails.

Another great days biking - the highlight being the trail between Espinama and Sortres

Don't think I would chance my luck and do it again tho lol.
A fantastic trail.
We stopped in Sotres at a refuge recommended by Russ and did the trail to Espinama 2 up on the GS, fair play to the missus sitting on the back ......... although she was a bit nervous about getting back on :lol:
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Open your eyes and you see what is in front of you, open your mind and you see a bigger picture but open your heart and you see a whole new World.
Flintlock
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Flintlock »

I salute you sir. I definitly would not want to encounter a next level up from that trail on my GSA - but as said worth the sweat (lots of) for the scenery.
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Scott_rider »

Superb ride report. Keep it coming 8-) .
Suzuki GSX-S1000F...the KTM 450 EXC-R has gone
Flintlock
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Flintlock »

Tuesday 4th October

A leisurely start to the day & a nice long breakfast.

We decided to do the tourist thing and take a trip up to the the mountains on the cable car which was just behind the hotel
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Great views from the top
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Flintlock
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Flintlock »

Back down to the hotel, luggage & panniers back on the bikes and back off down the road to Potes.

It was Barry's birthday today so we were going to stay another night in Potes to celebrate.

We parked our bikes on the footpath outside Basil's accommodation (where we stayed previously) - no sooner had we done this and he was out, watching lol We asked his price then compared it with another up the street - Hotel Valdecoro- it worked out much cheaper (and better) so off we went with Basil's cold stare burning into the back of our helmets.

We booked in, off loaded some of our kit and headed back out.
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Flintlock »

This was to be the hottest day so far - got up to 30 degrees. Earlier at the hotel in Fuente De I was talking to a Portuguese biker who had been coming here at this time of the year all of his biking life (60 years old) he said he had never seen temperatures like this at this time of year and also commented on the low water levels.

We headed down the N621 to La Vega then up the CA 894 to Cucayo. Stopped and spent some time watching Vultures taking advantage of the thermals
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Obviously can't see too much of the Vultures in the photos but it was great just watching them
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Flintlock »

We headed back down to Barago - here the rest of the party turned up a single track un- named in search of more tracks. I was happy to head off and do a bit of solo - we would meet up later in Potes. Turned out they had to turn back and they headed back to Potes to start the celebrations early.

Because I enjoyed watching the Vultures so much I took myself back up and parked up and watched them some more - a magnificent bird & absolutely huge. They were probably hoping I would drop dead and give them a easy meal!

Stayed there maybe 30 minutes or so - another highlight of the trip for me.

Headed back into Potes, up to Ojedo and out the CA 184, up and down the CA 870 & CA 871, back on the 184 and out to Venta de Pipin for a stop & a drink
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Headed back towards Ojedo and up the CA 872



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Flintlock
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Flintlock »

Headed back to Ojedo and got talking to a couple from Ireland head out to Portugal for the TET on two suitably prepped bikes
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Looked ideal for that sort of trip - great luggage set up too.

Anyway checked my phone and I had missed several messages from the rest - they had cut the day short and started the celebrations early. So back into Potes - a quick shower & change and into town to join them.

A great night rounded off with a visit to here
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Anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate it & it's prices.

Tomorrow we would start to head back towards Bilbao
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Spike941 »

Currently reading this on the Bilbao to Portsmouth ferry. Nice trip report. Thanks for posting.
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Re: Picos & Northern Spain. 3rd time lucky.

Post by Flintlock »

Wednesday 5th October

We sorted out our nights accommodation over breakfast - we would be staying at Laredo, on the coast east of Santander.

We headed south on the CA 184 - a 2nd run along here for me, then a left onto the CA 281. Worthy of note here was the amount of cattle roaming on the road, locals are obviously well aware of them but for visitors it can be a bit of a surprise to see so many free roaming cattle on roads like these.

The 281 takes us up to another dam and a quick stop
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