Helmet Tuning Ski Painting

Alcarria the Sierra de Guadalajara

Finally! a good day to go on a bike.

This time the rendezvous was the station of Campo de las Naciones and there we meet, more or less on time, a courageous group of eight people ready to enjoy cold and sunny March day that seems to announce the nearby spring.

Well equipped with full tanks and we get on the highway to Burgos in the direction of the fleece. Conduct legal paced and as we begin the beautiful highway and very technical sections of curves lead us to Torrelaguna. Going down this road from The fleece is spectacular but the landscape should not distract us from doing good line and avoid unnecessary scares ... is a way to enjoy much of the bike and use good driving skills. We

Torrelaguna and we are on towards the dam Ponton de la Oliva, aside Patones de Arriba, nice place to be avoided on weekends by the large number of people who go up there. A little before reaching the dam out to our right the turning of the Sierra Valdepeñas we make progress towards Tortuero and without going into the last people we get on a paved road that must lead to Valdesoto , where we the first stop of the morning. The asphalt road goes into the mountains leaving the Jarama valley on our right, is picking up and this allows us to enjoy a lonely, hard but very beautiful. In some areas, the asphalt has succumbed to a climate to be ruthless, leaving behind a few bumps that we must move with care and the descent to the junction with Valdesoto slowly do so abrupt way, but what places!.

Once at the junction reach Valdesoto is a pleasant walk along the bank of the river Palancares, mountain tributary that feeds the Jarama. These are boom times for streams, all noisy and packed down. Valdesoto

we get quiet. It has about 45 people but only about 10 live permanently. Is about 844 m altitude, located in a widening of the stream and is the guardian of the game reserve Sonsaz. How come places like this, so hidden?. It seems that its origin goes back the eleventh century due to the afforestation that took place in the land after the Reconquista. Worth a little more comfortable walking a mile to the waterfall of El Chorro, a lovely waterfall, a hidden "freshwater beach."

is time for a "lunch" and bar give a good account of the City Council a few drinks and a fried sausage with bread that we welcome the route.

Leaving Valdesoto and continue in the direction of Puebla del Vallés. Attention, some have taken this road to our right a little corner with much charm: medieval bridge was the entrance to Valdesoto and is on the mouth of the Jarama.

continue into our next stop will be at La Mierla. The landscape is wild and rugged, as soon it opens in limited arable land as close among the rocks and through pine woods. Puebla del Vallés We left and went to the road to our left leads to Tamajón and bring us right to the diversion of the Mierla.

Small and battered road to La Mierla out a little later to our left, watch how you spend!. Again, slowly as the asphalt is in very good condition but the scenery solve everything.

At the end of a curve the landscape settles down and appears Mierla, manor, in the middle of a circular plain surrounded by pine trees, highlighting the church tower. This small town estáubicado in the transition from the countryside and the Sierra Norte, on the banks of Sorbe. Founded in the late eleventh century when it was repopulated after the conquest by Alfonso VI. Belonged to the Lordship of Beleña but the plague of the fourteenth century ended with the population. In 1420 it was refounded in 1625 and acquired title of town, and recalls its "cherry" . A relaxing stroll reveals XVI century church, school, 1931, the medieval source (only) the mill, the beautiful chapel of Solitude to the edge of town. ... And also gives the possibility of having a pleasant conversation with grandmother in town.

Mierla join in the group four riders, two of them are two brave young men, full of passion, with its 125 sports will continue the path with us. Bravo guys!.

From The Mierla retraced our steps and go to Tamajón. In the same town and we turn incessantly Muriel, address Cogolludo . We're moving into the spectacular canyon Sorbe. Muriel is another town which dates back to the eleventh century. Lands owned by Atienza and then to the Lordship of Bethlehem. In the 60's was uninhabited and almost disappears. Today is a beautiful place with stone houses, gazebo on the river (in the bar of the same name can be eaten but should be reserved before), plaza, fountain and the very old rural church of St. Agatha XVI century. Lunchtime

. This site is ideal but not today because we can meet and have a full dining room. Its owner recommended we go to Arbancón (which is on our route) and eat there. Without wasting time we go down the barrel of the Sip and from here the route is even more beautiful ... take care, any curve can be surprised if the distracting scenery.

Our good friend Fernando Soler, who this time could not come to us Cela provides this commentary on the route of the botargas:

"In Arbancón between Cogolludo Jocar, uncle lives Hermenegildo, who walked in motley in Bethlehem and mask carving in walnut. "

The Feast of botargas is closely related to the boom of the next harvest begins with the first month of the year in villages north of Guadalajara. Costumes strong colors, sounds and dances in which all the people involved. It supposedly began as a celebration of certain rites or cults to nature "there were certain spirits of the forest, with its magic, influenced the growth of crops." Also medieval beggars could be performed stunts and actions to get some money.

In Arbancón find a place to eat "The Balcony of Arbancón" a few crumbs and a bit of carnage, with salad, wine and rich desserts, although a "broth" would not have been a good start. Good time to talk, talk about bikes, travel, Roberto jacket. Return Time

not before the "classical picture of helmets", then reassembled with the flag after the incident in Ireland, by the skillful hands of Natalia ...

Cogolludo

And now even after a Jadraque for edging, in a nice climb, its imposing defensive castle, also known as "Castillo del Cid" and is "on the world's most perfect hill," as Ortega y Gasset . A great strength in 1889 symbolically was bought for 300 pesetas for the people, which now belongs. We continue to Hitadisfrutando good road and landscape. Near the latter town, in Torre del Burgo, is our ultimate goal: the mysterious Sopetrán Benedictine monastery. Its history and avatars are very large so it is best to approach and admire him carefully, is in ruins, and check the following site: www.sopetran.es (The power of a dream.) Discover where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1050 Sopetrán, burials with human bones, the effort to come down ... not too bad along the beautiful Hospedería almonasterio it was closed, it seems not just start and take hold as a business.

Once we abandon Sopetrán place the road to Guadalajara allows us to enjoy a good drive with the elegant evening light. So we got to the highway from Barcelona and in less than an hour at home. The stop for the farewell do at a gas station after passing Guadalajara. It was very good and we all really enjoyed the day.

I am among those who think that traveling by motorcycle perceive it touches in a unique way. You relate to the landscape differently, as you put into it, you can feel the smell, shape, heat or cold, the breeze or wind, and even say that even the color. Also, your relationship with people is different, I have always felt that is more friendly and closer, more direct. Yes, I like to travel by bike and today has been one of those that reinforce this sentiment. A pleasure and the best, share it with a good group of friends.

José Ramón.

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