How we got there

TRAVEL

Cyclist flew with Easyjet from London Stansted to Asturias Airport near Oviedo (from £60 return, plus £70 for a bike bag). You can also fly from Heathrow and Gatwick to Asturias, from Edinburgh and London to Santander, or from Glasgow, Manchester and London to Bilbao.

ACCOMMODATION

We stayed at the Santa Cristina (hotelsantacristina.net), a quaint and friendly hotel 20km from the foot of the Angliru. Bikes can be stored in the garage and cycling parties are welcomed warmly. Double rooms start at €53 with breakfast €5 extra.

THANKS

The planning and logistical support provided by James at Marmot Tours (marmot-tours.co.uk) was invaluable, and he also did his fair share of stoking up the reputation of the Angliru too. Marmot Tours offers friendly, fully guided and supported Tours in Asturias, as well the Alps, Dolomites and Pyrenees. Graham from Marmot Tours was the ideal riding partner.

Thanks also to Jesús Ruis Martinez from the Spanish Tourist Office (spain.info; email: spaininfo@tourspain.es) and to Ana Villasuso from Asturias Tourism for local knowledge.

BIKES AND GEAR

We hired our bike from Carma Bikes (carmabike.es) in Oviedo. A Felt Z85 will cost you €30 a day, but we went for a brand new Wilier Cento 1 Air at €100 for the day.