THE PILGRIMAGE - DAY 16

21 May
Two late entries relating to last night:
1. the delicious Pilgrims' meal was 9 Euros
2. during the pedallers' evening walkabout, they came across storks nesting in the town's Church tower.

Today's cycle ride was 47.34 miles and the pedalling pair are staying the night in a Parador at Olmillos de Sasamon. I think that I might have tempted fate when I mentioned the name of the town 'Belorado' in yesterday's blog as sounding very much 'Western Movie'. When they entered Olmillos de Sasamon they described it as being the same setting as in Clint Eastwood's 'Spaghetti Western Movies' - quote: "no people, no noise, empty old buildings, eerie and with ....... all else". In this emptiness, and with nowhere visible to stay, our pedallers found a Parador. They had certainly had enough of their bikes for the day. Neither Ben nor Paul have found pedalling very enjoyable over the past two days.
They have travelled along the main highway (N120) all day, accompanied by a constant stream of traffic - including many heavy lorries - which was stressful, tedious and tiring. Awaiting our pedallers, half-way up one very drawn-out steep climb, was a lengthy series of road works -through which the traffic was obliged to go single file. Confronted by a three foot concrete gully with an immediate very sharp drop on one side and the road works on the other side - Ben walked through the road works deeming it too dangerous to risk cycling. That's my boy!
They eventually arrived at the major city of Burgos and were pleased with their prowess at cycling straight through the city's very busy centre. The pair of them found time to stop at a bar, located on a side street, in order to take some food and liquid into their weary systems. The pedallers exited the city by what they both have described as the most gorgeous, ancient route out of any town or city that they have ever visited. Every possible mode of transport (including pedestrians) had been planned and taken into consideration - each one having it's own very wide designated path/road separated from the others by rows of beautiful old trees.
Having exited Burgos, our boys were in complete agreement that - due to a motorway looming - they would opt for the N126 which was devoid of traffic and an absolute joy to pedal. Feeling despondent that the information for tonight's blog might be very boring, their spirits were completely elevated when 3 flocks of vultures - comprising of 30 - 40 birds in each flock - loomed over them, casting enormous, spooky dark shadows over the ground beneath them. It was at this particular time, of all times on their journey, Ben was praying like a man possessed that he would not fall off his bike. He had visions of being stripped to bare bones in a matter of seconds. Perish the thought - it sounds too much like Alfred Hitchcock's territory. I have not enjoyed typing this bit of information.
Ben specifically has asked me to mention that he 'achieved' his 15th fall off his bike today. Just how complacent can a man get over falling off his bike and just how dismal can today's blog get!
That is definitely IT for today's screed - I have had enough!
Hasta luego

Jenny