Grand Tour - Day 1 - Bilbao

From the ferry I drove to the first night hotel, an Ibis Budget at Arrigorriaga on the outskirts of the city. after parking the car I set off on my planned route. Very pleasant at first following the cycle and jogging paths beside the river. Then a slightly more tricky industrial section with some busier roads before getting onto a quiet route up a hill that Stage 1 of the Tour de France will be using in July. After the summit I paused in Artxandako where a cable car arrives from the city. Enjoyed the views here and took photos before an extended cycle down as the planned route seemed unsuitable.

In the city had a very pleasant cycle and walk around getting a very good feel for the place over the space of a few hours. 

The journey home was a bit of slog involving a bigger hill than expected. After a wee rest headed into the village of Arrigorriaga looking for dinner and finding a basic bacon and cheese sandwich and seeing some local folk dancing in the village square.

A hot night in the non-air conditioned hotel.