09/19/2023 Bikepacking Spain Day 42 : Will Suffer for Scenery

Janet noted that we are about to leave our second set of high mountains. There will be more, but I wanted to savor these magical places. The map made it look hard; sections of 1500' per mile... so Janet and i took separate routes and agreed to meet in La Uña. --

The map didn't lie. In fact, after the big descent at the beginning, I didn't really ride my bike until I crossed the third pass. Luckily, my spirits stayed high in spite of the difficulty of carrying my bike in many places up rocks. One thing that isn't free: scenery. But I somehow don't get down when it's difficult with good scenery. (Bad scenery, on the other hand..) --

The tough section was only 3.5 miles.. but it was muddy bogs and lifting my bike up over rocks. Also, although I was following a "route" - there isn't a trail... just a myriad of cow paths. Probably not the best day to do this shortly after all the rain. --

Only 9 miles in nearly 5 hours. But each mile was gorgeous! --

A couple drone videos so you can get a better grasp of the scenery (and the Sierra-esque) passes. --

Over the last pass and it turns into a double track! Janet is down there in that town waiting! --

I put my shock into the fastest downhill mode and let 'er rip. This bike is great for that. Only problem is: someone didn't put any flags on the electric fence crossing the road. If you've ever seen those fighter planes landing on an aircraft carrier with the cables to decelerate them rapidly... that is what happened here when I slammed into the electrified wire. Unbelievably, it stopped me without breaking! Those are some strong wires. It must have given me 5 feet to stop from 15 mph to 0 mph. Luckily it was high enough that I didn't go over the bars... and low enough that I didn't get clotheslined. Now that I see how strong these are, it could have been fatal at neck level. Photo is a gentle re-enactment. --

Cows everywhere. And they kind of mess stuff up too. Snotty cows! --

Happy to be back riding with Janet. Off to look for camp! --

Did a little drone recon to make sure this refugio was going to work for tonight. It needed some cleaning - had a pile of rocks that I think were salt in the corner. Lots of ashes on the floor. We made brooms from dead plants and swept the floor clean. Buenas Noches. Hope that isn't lead based paint flaking off the walls. --

scary!

John M.