Pamplona to Jaca
Distance – 319km
Overview. A day of changing
plans . . . the flat tyre on John’s bike meant a late departure and the rain at
the French border dictated a change of direction to the south towards the old
castles and big rocks.
Jaca Snapshot
History – Modern ‘city’ founded in 1063 but coins dating from 2nd century BCE indicate older settlement. The mutiny of the garrison at Jaca in 1930 demanding the abolition of monarchy and a democratic republic was suppressed with some difficulty. It was an early event that presaged the Spanish Civil War.
Elevation – 820m
Population – 13,000
One Thing Then
Another . . .
Today we had a pretty slow start for a number reasons. We all took a bit of a stroll around parts of the older Pamplona and we found a nice place for breakfast (and lunch . . . more jamon rolls) and finally got the bikes out of the secure parking. The reception desk had turned off the ‘bell’ and we were left stranded for a few minutes while it was all sorted out.
Today we had a pretty slow start for a number reasons. We all took a bit of a stroll around parts of the older Pamplona and we found a nice place for breakfast (and lunch . . . more jamon rolls) and finally got the bikes out of the secure parking. The reception desk had turned off the ‘bell’ and we were left stranded for a few minutes while it was all sorted out.
And then there was another delay . . . I noticed that
John’s rear tyre looked quite flat as we made our way to the outskirts of the
town. A quick check at a servo confirmed
that fact there was virtually no air in the tyre. We were lucky to find a bike repair place
nearby and they got to work to make the necessary repairs, which meant putting
a ‘mushroom’ patch on the inside of the tyre.
In fact they found two holes – and hence we cooled our heels at a nearby
coffee place.
So we didn’t really start the ride until nearly 1:00pm
and by that time the weather had come into play – especially to the north along
our intended route.
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| Lunch spot near Agoitz |
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The Power Ranger is here to help eat your lunch!
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The long and winding road
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| I love a sunburnt country . . . (Dorethea Mackellar - Oz poet) |
And Then it
Rained . . . !
Not to be deterred, we rode off towards France along the N-135 towards Runcesvalies (B). However, we weren’t keen to repeat yesterday’s drenching and we quickly made a ‘tactical retreat’ back along the N-135 towards Auitz.
Not to be deterred, we rode off towards France along the N-135 towards Runcesvalies (B). However, we weren’t keen to repeat yesterday’s drenching and we quickly made a ‘tactical retreat’ back along the N-135 towards Auitz.
From here we had a fantastic ride south along a river –
the roads had a mixture of long sweeping corners and some tighter bits. We stuck with the NA-172 as we passed Nagore
(C) and then onto the NA-150 near Agoitz (D) and eventually found a nice place
by the river to have lunch and a ‘photo opportunity’.
Another World . . .
We headed even further sound and entered what seemed to be another world as we crossed the N-240 and headed into a much drier area – and of course it became quite hot! The plan was to head for Uncastillo (E) on the A-127 via Abar, San Guesa and Sos del ray Cabito.
We headed even further sound and entered what seemed to be another world as we crossed the N-240 and headed into a much drier area – and of course it became quite hot! The plan was to head for Uncastillo (E) on the A-127 via Abar, San Guesa and Sos del ray Cabito.
Our plan was to head north east directly towards Jaca but
the road was in terrible condition – so we instead went the long way around via
the A-125 to Ejea (F) for a coffee break and then north along the A-132 to Las
Pe’nas de Riglos (G) – an incredible rocky outcrop that is well worth a visit.
From there we headed along the A-21 to Jaca and found our
accommodation OK – and the secure parking again worked out very well.
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Take us to your leader!
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Garmin v Chris at Uncastillo
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| Las Pe’nas de Riglos |
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Las Pe’nas de Riglos
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| Looking back from Las Pe’nas de Riglos |
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Hotel Conde Aznar in Jaca
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Don’t you love
places like this!
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That Special Bike . . . !
It is no secret that I have been really taken by John's SV1000s . . . it is a brutal thing that doesn't suffer fools gladly, snorts and burbs its way around the place and lets you know in no uncertain terms if you are in the wrong gear - and it probably snores and farts when it is asleep - but when things are in the spot is it is a lovely bike!
It is no secret that I have been really taken by John's SV1000s . . . it is a brutal thing that doesn't suffer fools gladly, snorts and burbs its way around the place and lets you know in no uncertain terms if you are in the wrong gear - and it probably snores and farts when it is asleep - but when things are in the spot is it is a lovely bike!
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How sweet - my helmet even matches!
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