How we did it

Travel

Cyclist flew into Oviedo with Vueling from London Gatwick. Expect to pay around £200 return plus £40 each way for a bike. It’s about 120km southeast to Riaño from the airport so renting a car is recommended, but leave the car parked once you arrive.

The town is lovely to explore on foot and the Picos are a mere 18km bike ride to the north.

Accommodation

Cyclist stayed at Hotel Presa, one of many pleasant options in Riaño’s town centre.

The rooms are cosy and breakfast is an authentically hearty Spanish affair of tortillas and chorizo with plenty of fresh fruit.

Thanks

Alberto Bosque Coello from the Castilla y León Tourism Board deserves thanks for organising Cyclist ’s stay at Hotel Presa. For more information about the Castilla y León region visit turismocastillayleon.com.

Our huge thanks also goes to Sophie Baker and Helen Snell of Marmot Tours for the time and effort they put into organising the logistics of this trip. Marmot Tours offers a range of fully supported cycling holidays throughout Europe. Visit marmot-tours.co.uk for details. Lastly, thanks to ride partner Katia Knight, whose local knowledge was only matched by her unerringly accurate weather forecasts.