Day 5 Logrono to Belorado

Day 5 Logrono to Belorado

46.50 (total 194.62)

We were up at 6:00 with a clear blue sky already beginning to show. Today was going to be hot again, and hot it turned out to be with temperatures into the high 30’s. I had very sore legs as well, not with the cycling bus as a result of several bites that were very itchy, red and inflamed. Strangely, my legs hurt to walk but were fine on the bike.



Santa Domingo



Chris and I had already had a good look at the maps and finding the way out looked fairly easy as we followed the walker’s route out of town. We only made the one error and a chap riding a scooter quickly put us on the right road. For the first few miles we were riding on tarmac paths out past a nature reserve where we stopped for coffee and tostada’s. At this point Malcolm produced a good quality A5 map of Logrono from his previous visit complete with our route marked on it.

Church in Belarado

We eventually joined the N120 which would become a firm friend as we journeyed on. We rode through Naverrete and on to Najera before stopping for coffee again. Malcolm fancied a pipe before we set off again so Ricky and I rolled out and I noted that the hills were softening. At that point we rejoined the N120 and began a climb similar in grade to the A660 out of Otley, but this went for 8 miles or so before we reached the top. It was nowhere near as steep as many we had climbed but it was carrying a lot of traffic, lorries especially, and it was very, very hot. All of those conditions made it quite a demanding climb and we were happy to reach the top where we found a disused garage that was able to offer us some shade as we tried to cool down. Not my usual style but I was so hot at this point I used half a bottle of water to pour over my head to help the cooling process. From there it was a steady ride on to Santo Domingo for lunch at a pavement cafe and a quick explore of the older part of the town together with collection of a stamp from the church on our credentials.

After lunch we pushed on towards Belorado having had some discussion about taking a half day the next day to stop and have a look around Burgos.

Aubergue in Belarado

Our aubergue in Belorado was run by a young lady who had spent many years around Durham and Newcastle but who had returned to live in Spain. The aubergue also had a pool which we were able to use. The dormitory was on the top floor and consisted of one large room with many beams running just at head height! There were quite a few bangs during the night! Before we had dinner in the aubergue I had time to explore the town and found the church open. It was pleasant to sit in the cool and the quiet for a while simply contemplating the journey so far, and what was still to come.

Dinner was in the aubergue and the Spanish Omelette was very good. We shared a table with Chuck, a guy from West Virginia who tried to spend at least 6 weeks a year trekking. After dinner everyone sat around in the garden chatting but we were shooed to bed at 10:00 to be ready for the next day. Again, my bunk was close to the windows so I had a cooling breeze which helped. Despite that I awoke to check my watch and was about to get up thinking it was 6:00. At that point I heard the chimes from the church and counted only five so I rolled over for a luxury hour!