Another Helter Skelter Procession

Today I had decided would be my last day staying at El Redondo,Fuente De and area, so I had decided to try to make things a little easier for myself, even superfit Grandads need to ease up now and then (or do they?)

I had decided to take my bike up in the cable car, so that I would be riding up in the Picos mountains at 1842 mts high when I started (higher than Ben Nevis, Britain’s biggest) –however it being a Saturday, the cable car started earlier, and only took bikes on the first 2 runs (whilst on test), so I was up early, and down to the cable car station, on a lovely morning by 8-30 a.m…..already there was a long line of bikes, with other people having the same idea – a great day in prospect, and the bike was soon loaded, and went up without me whilst I was still buying my ticket !

As I arrived at the top station, and collected my bike, I wandered up on to the summit plateau, with clear skies overhead, and a ride to anywhere…particularly downhill !

I set off across the top, being left in the wake of the other bikers, who seemed to be groups of blokes out for a ‘daredevil’ day ! I hoped for a quieter day, although my ticket was No 13 ! I soon got to the junction I had passed on Thursday, rather that going left towards the infamous ridge, I turned slightly right, and immediately plunged downhill towards Villa Real, and Refuge Aliva.. passing the other groups of bikers as I went..they were more circumspect, and so should I, as I soon had a slight tumble,as I slowed on a very steep part for some hikers coming up ! Undeterred, and blushing I leapt back on my steed and carried on to Refuge Aliva,at 1620 mts. http://www.cantabrico.com/refug_cant.php I then had a choice to go left across the top of a terminal moraine ( I do know some geology !), or start my plunge to Espinama, which would shorten the day somewhat.

So, I turned across the moraine bank, and rode slightly down and across towards Sotres, passing large herds of cattle,sheep,horses…all hanging about on and around the track, maybe waiting for something ? I kept plunging down, until around the top of the valley, and another steep descent in front of me (which I would have to climb back up) I decided that at 1400 mts I had dropped enough, as I would have to climb almost back to Refuge Aliva, before descending to Espinama…so back I went, grinding up past the same bemused herds of cattle, and as I looked below me on the pastures, there seemed a great gathering of animals, and seemingly lots of 4x4 vehicles, congregating near to what appeared to be a chapel below me.As i dropped even further, I came across an even bigger gathering of animals,people and vehicles, so, being a great detective…I decided something must be happening, and so sat on a rock, conducting surveillance !

Eventually from the distance I could see a large procession wending its way up the hillside, and as they neared I could see a church banner at the front,and in the midst of the procession a statue of the Madonna being carried on a bier-this was some doing as we were up at 1400 mts +.I presume they were making their way to the chapel , I had read last year something about them taking statues up to the summer pasture chapels, and bringing them down in the winter, must be what I had come across ?

It was then time to hurtle back down to Espinama at 877 mts http://espinama.es/  (the story of the procession is there !), and then climb 200 mts back up to Fuente De, and the end of my days ride, all in all a pleasant morning, and just beat the rain, and treated myself to a slap up meal at the Fuente De restaurant before it closed for the night !

A 420 mts climb, and 1170 mts descent,in 3hrs 30 mins.

I was then able to ring my daughter Anna, and sing her ‘Happy Birthday’ on this her special day !- she obviously takes after her Dad,as she was just being strapped in to a scary ride at Blackpool !!