Camino de Santiago Day Two

Today started with buying picnic food – empanadas (the local version of a pasty, with either meat or tuna), bread, cheese, and of course olive oil and wine! The cycling was notable for a long late morning ascent to the Monte de la Cruz de Ferro – at 1505m, the highest point of our ride. I’d stayed at the back for the first part of the morning, so by the time we started climbing I wasn’t near the head of the group. However this gave me the opportunity to branch off onto the off-road track rather than following the road up the mountain. Slightly more challenging ups and downs, and a good excuse for not being first to the top of the hill!


After a long rest and a prolonged picnic, the way down the other side was long and steep on roads that weren’t great. Still a good journey though, and fun around all the tight twists and bends. Pretty much the whole afternoon was downhill, ending in Molanaseca with a delightful hotel situated next to another pilgrim bridge. We were early enough to enjoy a walk around the village, followed by well earned beers outside in the shade before the sun went down. So many of the villages we passed through or stayed in had narrow streets with very few cars. They were quite delightful and picturesque, although also seeming slightly backward. It did make for a peaceful and bicycle-friendly route.