After arriving in Spain for a weeks holiday with the boys I am told that Salva, my brother in law would like to go for a ride on Saturday along the coast from Gijon to the Spanish equivalent of the cottage (Canadia Land) or House in the Country (London speak) or Caravan (if you are from Newcastle). "It's only 84km and an easy ride. So up at the crack of dawn (9am is the crack of dawn in Spain) and on a borrowed Bianci bike off we go. 
A couple of things become fairly obvious from the start: "Easy" to me means not difficult. "Easy" to Salva,who lives next to the Tour De France mountain training routes and is a member of the local cycle club, means "only four little mountains".
As soon as we leave the city Salvas says "first mountain is a sweet little mountain - only 6 kms up and 6 kms down".
Thats fills me with dread but hey I think 6 kms down won't be a bad thing so off we go. Time for a brief lesson for the un-intiated. On a bike you have 2 front gears (cogs). They are 2 different sizes.
The big gear is harder to push, gives more pull on the wheel and is used for speed and power. The little gear is easier to push, you get less pull on the wheel and is good for going up long hills but you need stamina.
Whilst both styles have their uses: Toronto and the bike rally favours more power whilst mountain riding in Asturias favours stamina. I am great at power and awful at stamina. It has been two months since I have been on my bike and I am on a borrowed bike and in borrowed shoes (the left one refused to click in) going up mountains. Whilst posing at the top of the first mountain for the picture I realise this is going to be a struggle.
The reward of the downhill is to come but even thats a bugger. The down is great BUT, and its a big but, its down a mountain which means windy roads always with 90 or 180 degree (often blind) corners at the bottom and usually with a hairy Spanish man in a hurry to his next bullfight or Chorizo driving like a tit 6 ft away from your back wheel as you hurtle down a 50 degree hill. There is the consolation that if you do go off the road you have a very painless drop in front of you until you hit the ground a long way down. 
Along the coast and stop at Villaviciosa for breakfast then off again for picture opportunities at some of the many beaches that line the coast.
Up the next mounting and into Colunga for a traditional bottle of Cider which needs to be poured from overhead to give it some life. Very tradional in Asturias but not sure how alcohol, 30 degrees heat, 3 more mountains and a left shoe still not clipping-in is going to work out. Sun shining and off we go through the Asturian countryside which is stunning. The mix of mountains and beaches and the still tradional market towns and architecture is some of the best in the world.
The old pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostella runs through Asturias so there are always lots of earnest faced Christians marching to the western corner of the Roman Empire on a pilgrimage which adds to the old world feel of the region.
Up the steepest mountain and down the most hair-raising drops pursued by the obligatory mad Spanish driver and we get into Ribadesella. A lovely resort town with the Picas De Europa national park behind, great beach in front and lovely atmosphere. I am given the option to be picked up by car but I decide to foolishly play the hero (still not clipping in) as only 10km to go.
Eventually we arrive and I am empty. No strength at all in my legs and trailing Salva to cut wind resistance and at one point Salva pushing me from his bike. 84 km, 4 little mountains, 1 walk stop and zero energy left but what a fantastic ride.
After my favorite lunch of Asturian Beans, we crash out in the sunshine then Adam gives us a go of his bow and we head for beers down by the beach. A great day. 
I think this one of the greatest places to do a cycling holiday so if you get the chance then you should come but bring your own shoes and, if you can, bring your own bike then you might have a fighting chance with those "sweet little mountains".
TTFN
David
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