The Cycling Europe Podcast berths in Santander, Spain for two weeks of adventure across the Iberian Peninsula via Potes, Riaño, León, Puebla de Sanabria, Bragança and Porto to Coimbra in Portugal. Join Andrew P. Sykes as he discovers the cycle path less travelled up and over the remote mountains of the Picos de Europa, into Portugal’s spectacular Douro Valley and onwards to the Atlantic Ocean, aided and abetted by his faithful companion Wanda, the Koga WorldTraveller bicycle.
The Cycling Europe Podcast is digest of news, interviews, reports, rides, readings, features… from the people at CyclingEurope.org. If you think you might have something to contribute, please get in touch. Whether you’ve embarked on an epic ride or simply decided to to get back into cycling after a long break, we’d love to hear your story. Each episode is published via iTunes and other podcast providers. You can also listen via the Awesound website.
Really enjoyed the podcast Andrew. Caught the enjoyment of travelling in Spain very well and brought back happy memories of my 2 or 3 tours there. My first tour followed your route as far as Potes. My son and I camped in Santander, Comillas and Potes but as we had a shorter time we doubled back and cut across the Picos back to Santander. The return journey confirmed the optical illusion. I think it took us 15 minutes to get back down the hill!! I admire your perseverance in cycling up the hills. I usually get off and push as I find it very little if any slower and somewhat easier.
Another route I strongly recommend is south east out of Santander to the Rioja region and then back via Bilbao to Santander. Again quite hilly in places. Best wishes, Brian