Day 114: La Pola Llaviana (Drive/Cycle/Drive)

Well, in theory today's cycle was supposed to be a relaxing, recovery ride. It turned out to be anything but!

The route contained two climbs, one about 8.5 kilometres in length (Alto de La Coḷḷadieḷḷa, 900 metres), the other about 13.5 kilometres (La Mozqueta, 848 metres). And each had an average gradient of 6%. Six percent, I thought, that's not too steep, I can use a lower gear and take my time.

BIG MISTAKE! That's the problem with an average, it can hide a multitude of nasties! Today's nasties originated in each climb commencing with an extended shallow gradient, which resulted in steeper gradients towards the end of the climbs: typically 8 to 14%!. Combine that with climbing temperatures of 28°C to 34°C, made for some tough climbing. In fact, towards the end of the second climb, I was verging on over heating! Fortunately, as I was nearing the summit a breeze started to blow, which was a relief.

Although the climbing was harder than expected, the climbing was good. In particular, once past the pueblo of Turón, cycling up the Valle de Turón was very enjoyable, as was the descent from La Mozqueta. The descent could only have been better if the road had been closed to vehicular traffic!

Approaching the puerto of the first climb:

At the puerto:

From whence I came:

And then it was descending time:

I wonder if their haggis are similarly as large!

At the summit of La Mozqueta (no sign of the puerto sign!)

• Distance driven: 26 miles
• Distance cycled: 75 kilometres
• Weather:-
  • General conditions: I think it was a wee bit too hot for me!
  • Temperature: Hot
  • Wind (Beaufort): Light to fresh breeze
• Location: Google Maps