After a night in a good bed with sheets, and a large warm coffee in the bar by the side of the road,
I leave Belorado at 7.30 am. The road is fine, the sky is overcast, the weather forecast warned of rain,
but it's difficult to go on : 3/4 h to cover the 10 km as far as Villafranca at the foot of the Montes de Oca.
To the left a route allows me not to use the N120 : a wide and fine road with a gradient of at least 15%,
then a very steep path (20%, may be more in places) in the holm oak forest. Eventually I come out
onto the 1150 m. pass (La Pedraja), at least 300 m. higher, where is the former route of the N120 :
I am on my own on it!
But it's cold. I quickly get to Burgos, where I am at 11.30 am. Passing by the Cid gate,
now this is the square near the cathedral. Locking up my bike, I allow myself a quick tour in the church.
Leaving Burgos to the West is easy, but then it's still the N120 for 10 km. At Tardajos, I go towards Rabe
to follow the path, then I go into the country side. It's steeper and steeper, I have reached the Meseta.
Going down through Ormaza then through Iglesias, I go up on to the Meseta, using a good path (higher by 100 m.).
Up there, it's a flat and grassy surface, it's empty as far as the horizon line, where black clouds abundantly water the fields.
On the plateau, it's flat, but a very cold head wind. I go through Hontanas then Castrojeriz, my guidebook tells
of a resting place at San Nicolas, 9 km away, but this splendid isolated building will be open only in July!
Another 3 km before Itero de la Vega; at last I can find the town shelter.
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