Ezcaray

Big early climb over the Herrera col, then cycling through the heart of the Rioja wine area. Beautifully tended vines with grapes just ready for harvesting.

The Sierra de Cantabria is one of the breeding grounds for White Storks and I spotted quite a number of the enormous nests that they construct on top of buildings, electricity masts and trees.

Lunch stop in Haro and a battle with the most ancient and complicated ATM. When it finally worked, the receipt it spat out was the size of an A4 page!

80kms and 1430m climbing.Read more