Tailwinds

Biarritz

Since leaving Bayonne Sunday morning, March 9th, I have been making remarkable progress. I pedaled 45 km south to Spain stopping at the beautiful vacation town of Biarritz, France for a quick lunch.

I never noticed crossing the border into Spain until I reached Irun and it became evident that people were no longer speaking French. It was late Sunday afternoon and everything was pretty much buttoned up. Trying to get my bearings, I was worried there wouldn't be any hotels open. I was also worried about the next day and the pass south to Pamplona down N-121 where I knew there was a long stretch of tunnel dangerous to bike travel. So coming into Irun´s center square at 5:30 - What do I see????

As though it was waiting just for me - parked and running - a bus to Pamplona. I roll up, the driver helps me stow the bike in the belly and within 5 minutes we're off and two major worries evaporate. Two days saved - I felt, "This must be a message."

Astonished and grateful, I climbed aboard and thought of a story I had heard. A pilgrim on his journey encountered terrible, rainy weather.The river rose and he could not cross. A man came by in a canoe and said, "Get in. I will take you across." Being pure to his purpose the pilgrim replied, "No - God will provide." 

The next day the river was a flood and another man in a motorized skiff came by and offered help. But again the pilgrim would not compromise believing with all his heart that that the Lord would save.

On the third day the river was a torrent and a helicopter hovered overhead and dropped a rescue cable. But the pilgrim just waved it off.

The pilgrim washed away and drown. Arriving in heaven he met God and exclaimed,"Dear Lord, why did you abandon me?". The Lord answered, "Hey - I sent you a canoe, a boat and a helicopter. What more did you expect?"

Los Acros

I didn't stay long in Pamplona. I was anxious to get get going and on Monday I made it to Los Acros, then Najera (day 3), Espinosa (day 4) and to Burgos (day 5).  

I think it's Sansol

I have been averaging 32 miles per day over some very rough terrain. Everyday sees plenty of elevation and I push Rocinante up the mountains. Yesterday I did 26 miles and 4 of those were a constant 6% grade. The days total elevation was 1850 feet up and 1600 down. When I reach the Spanish Meseta, I hope to catch 40 miles/day.

Up a rocky goat path all afternoon

The weather has been perfect. A slight frost at morning's start (7:30) soon warms as the sun rises and I pedal through the endless vineyards of Rioja. In the afternoon it's mid 60's with bright bright sun and blue sky. Seems as though prevailing winds are east to west.

Najera

Today I rest and explore Burgos - a wonderful oldcity (pop. 170,000) with an awesome Gothic Cathedral consecrated in 1260. Tomorrow I am back on Camino and hope to land Leon by the end of next week.

Brugos - a Gothic Cathedral

Burgos - Families out at night

A Plaza 

Burgos - my hotel - $38 E

View from hotel room.