#3: [13-Oct-12]

#2: [11-Oct-07]

#1: [01-Dec-01]

13-Oct-2017 -- This is the second out of 4 reports reaching confluence points during a 4-day cycling trip from Madrid to Barcelona. The story continues from 41°N 3°W.

Actually, I had planned to visit this confluence point the next day. But when I looked at the map at 6 PM, I suddenly realized that it would be possible to visit the point today before nightfall if I hurried. This area is extremely sparsely populated and opportunities for overnighting and dining are accordingly rare. The confluence visit in the evening would give me more flexibility to find a place for the night, because I would then be “free” to travel further eastwards searching for an overnight stay and there wouldn’t be any need to go back the next day to visit the point.

So the race against the time began. I cycled as fast as I could and even a bit faster – once I came into agonal respiration such that I had to pause. At 7 PM I came through the village Establés and then I continued ascending on a very rough gravel track towards the confluence point. At a distance of 740 m I abandoned my bicycle and ran towards the point over stony terrain with scattered pine trees.

I reached the confluence point just at sunset. It is located in a pine forest at the edge of a ravine. Just next to the edge there is a treeless square where I took the pictures. The edge is marked by an old stone wall dating back from times when this area was more populated than today.

By having visited this confluence I was happy – but I hadn’t made any plan where to spend the night and where to find something to eat. I continued cycling eastwards to the nearest village named Concha. This village appeared abandoned to me. Later I heard that there is only one person living there. So I continued to the next bigger place: Tartanedo with 40 inhabitants. Meanwhile it was dark and I was hungry and exhausted. When I asked in town for a hotel, the people felt sorry for me, since there wasn’t any place within 30 kilometres to stay or to eat. Luckily, one of the persons of the group that I had asked was the village mayor. He organized an available flat for me where I could spend the night. The other people invited me to their home to have dinner. What a great day!

Another interesting coincidence: The last visit to this point had been exactly 5 years ago by Javier Valles! And another 5 years and two days earlier was the previous visit. Let us meet there on 13 October 2022.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance of bicycle parking: 740 m
• Time to reach the CP from the road: 12 minutes
• Time at the CP: 7:33 PM
• Measured height: 1201 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy: 2 m
• Topography: slightly hilly
• Vegetation: scattered pine trees
• Weather: sunny, 22° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Agonal Respiration Confluence

The story continues at 41°N 1°W.