Astorga-Molinaseca in the rain?

[senora1]

Hi I’m spending the night now in Astorga and have a room booked for Molinaseca tomorrow. Getting concerned since the weather for both Poncerrada and Molinaseca show rain forecast then. Has anyone ridden down that section in rain? I am already a little apprehensive about the steepness and now this!!
TIA for any advice

 

[J Willhaus]

I have not ridden, but there is a memorial to a fallen bicigrino outside of El Acebo. It is very steep and we were nearly run over on a narrow part of the trail before Molinaseca. I would try to stick to the road if possible.

 

[PNeer]

Hi I’m spending the night now in Astorga and have a room booked for Molinaseca tomorrow. Getting concerned since the weather for both Poncerrada and Molinaseca show rain forecast then. Has anyone ridden down that section in rain? I am already a little apprehensive about the steepness and now this!!
TIA for any advice

I walked it in the rain - the wind can be fierce. I literally had to leave the trail and shelter in the trees

 

[senora1]

I walked it in the rain - the wind can be fierce. I literally had to leave the trail and shelter in the trees

So it wasn’t too dangerous with the road being slippery?

 

[senora1]

So it wasn’t too dangerous with the road being slippery?

 

[PNeer]

So it wasn’t too dangerous with the road being slippery?

it definitely was dangerous - didn't mean to imply otherwise

 

[Corned Beef]

I have not ridden, but there is a memorial to a fallen bicigrino outside of El Acebo. It is very steep and we were nearly run over on a narrow part of the trail before Molinaseca. I would try to stick to the road if possible.

I have ridden the road (not the track) from the Cruz del Ferrero to Molinaseca and it is not necessarily steep but it is continuously downhill with little room for manoeuvre should any pelegrinos decide to wander in front. This was in the dry and the brakes were well used.

So before the descent just give the brakes a quick check / dry them out. I'd also agree to stick to the road as the track will have the same issues (steepness/pelegrinos). Take your time.

Upside is that Molinaseca is beautiful.

Edit: Memory is a bit hazy on El Acebo but I am sure I recall cobbles. Perhaps someone can confirm.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

I did Rabanal to Ponferrada on my bike today and it was no problem. Stiffish climb until past Foncebadon, then a superb swooping downhill to Molinaseca. Don't take the trail though unless it's well graded and flat. The rain is probably over but it'll still be greasy and wet, with loose stones. The road is excellent, nicely cambered and very smooth and fast. Enjoy

 

[senora1]

I did Rabanal to Ponferrada on my bike today and it was no problem. Stiffish climb until past Foncebadon, then a superb swooping downhill to Molinaseca. Don't take the trail though unless it's well graded and flat. The rain is probably over but it'll still be greasy and wet, with loose stones. The road is excellent, nicely cambered and very smooth and fast. Enjoy

Then I may have seen you! We had a coffee break in Rabanal and a fire break (very welcome!) in Foncebadon. The mist was heavy and wet but the road conditions were fine. Happily resting in Molinaseca

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Has anyone ridden down that section in rain? I am already a little apprehensive about the steepness and now this!!
TIA for any advice

I agree with others. Definitely stay on the road, and as Corned Beef said check your brakes. I have not done this section in the rain, but have done other camino mountain descents in bad weather in June and my advice is be well insulated - it is amazing how cold it can be.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

The fast downhill from just after Foncebadon to Molinaseca is a real blast on a bike ... Have fun

 

[Corned Beef]

The fast downhill from just after Foncebadon to Molinaseca is a real blast on a bike ... Have fun

Totally agree and it was one of the best sections for me on the CF. On the other hand, if you don't know the OP's capabilities, your best avoid inducing an OTHB (over the handlebars)

 

[Peregrinopaul]

TIA for any advice

So, how did it go?

 

[Gerard Griffin]

The OP seems to me to be a Camino Ninja, like our good selves. These poor walkers don't know what they're missing! ... Whee!

 

[senora1]

So, how did it go?

Awesome!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @senora1 Its now more than 6 years I cycled the section of the Camino you are referring too. In Sept 2015 it was not raining but I will caution that the descent from Cruz de Fero has to be ridden with care. The descent is around 700/800 metres with lots of twists and turns. In the corner be watchful of cars/trucks coming up cutting the corners. My advice - ride defensively and you should be ok. Buen Camino.