Puerto de Ancares (Day 3)

I didn’t write about this because it was nearly 10h of pedalling and 3500m of climbing (both are a lot for those not in the know).

It was a very dam start with a weird detour through a farmyard according to the route. By then end of the day I had pedalled through a couple more. Many suicidal snails on the road. I plugged away, coat on and off and on and off and eventually reached Puerto de Ancares.

The climb is famously beautiful! Sadly I climbed in a lot of mist and clouds but when it came clear it was worth the effort. A couple with their toddler (from Berlin in their campervan) kindly took my photo at one point.

Lowlight was running over a big black slug to see what would happen. What happens is nothing much except your wheel gets covered in oily residue and picks up gravel for the next two hours and annoys you.

Highlights were listening to the ENTIRE 3 hour plus Fall of Civilisations podcast on the Egyptian civilisation. Fascinating stuff. Also the views as I came over the top! It turned out that the mountain was holding back the clouds and I had a glorious ride down in to Vega de Espinareda.

I had intended to camp, but felt I needed a bed after a long day and booked a hostel. They were welcoming and she offered to cook for me – I tried to say no, I will go to a restuarant but she was insistent. I will take this as I looked knackered and in need of TLC not that I was a pushover. The food was OK, better than the previous night that was crappy pizza.