Meseta, pure Bliss

Looks like the downside of the Alto de Mostelares. One has to beware of the bicycles blowing past you without any warning.

I had started from Hontanas that October morning and just left Castrojeriz about 10h when a friend rang from home (23h her time).
Crossed the river and decided to adjust the straps on my pack for the pull-up I could now see clearly ahead.
As I finished that a young woman strode past.
I was not going to let this old bull be outdone, I got up to speed. We were pretty much at the same rate of knots, with her a little ahead.
She slowed a little as we neared the top and we both crested the hill at the same time. Not too bad for me, a 76 year-old with an 8 kg total weight pack. Around a 10% constant rate of climb (130 metres elevation gain over 1.2 kilometres.

After a few moments admiring the view I started down and really appreciated the sealed (concrete) - the slope down was greater than the ascent but, thankfully, shorter.

AlwynWellington said:

After a few moments admiring the view I started down and really appreciated the sealed (concrete) - the slope down was greater than the ascent but, thankfully, shorter.

Click to expand...

As a fellow Pilgrim in your age bracket I found that piece of concrete to be a lot more challenging when it is wet. The bikes were always a distraction regardless of the weather. Never the less, I hope to see it again in April.

As far as keeping pace with a much younger person, I only try to do that at the dinner table. 😁

Buen Camino