As I set off this morning I was shivery and had stomach cramps - my intention was to get to Laredo which for those who know their Spanish geography, would only leave me 30 miles to Bilbao.
I climbed out of Unquera and at the top of the first climb I looked back and for the first time could see the Picos de Europa as they had been hidden in the murk on previous days.
And wow , my decision to re-route was vidicated as they were covered in snow - lots of snow !
Soon I was at the pretty coastal town of San Vicente de la Barquera which stands on both sides of a river estuary and has a stone arch bridge across. Then after two more climbs I was in Torrelavega which turned out to be much more of a sprawl than I thought. Having reached the centre there was a straight busy road out all uphill and nmerous traffic lights. I was feeling rough by now and near the end of town I found a bench in a park and lay down for a few minutes. Next a garage so I thought a warm coffee may help, and in fairness it got me through the next 20 miles which skirted Santander and again was a busy and trcky route.
My route was making a Beeline for Pedrena which is Seve Ballesteros home town and I wanted to go into the Royal Pedrena Golf club. I had passed before and it is all gated but this time I pressed the button on the intercom and asked in my best Spanish could I come in to buy something in the club shop. The answer was yes and the barrier opened.
As I cycled in wearing hi viz and lycra I certainly got some strange looks from the members.
The course looked magnificent, it was green and lush and pristine, I couldnt se a single divot, even the practice area looked awesome.
From there I picked my way along through Somo and slightly inland to avoid a nasty hill at Ako which I knew from previous rides.
I limped into Laredo felling rough and shivery and pretty much slept until the. next morning.