This is in Burgos province, Castile y León, northern Spain. A Via Verde (“greenway”) was the alternative to this road. Spain’s Vias Verdes are disused railway lines converted into bike paths. When paved, they make for ideal cycling. Unfortunately many are gravel. Cars get smooth asphalt but bikes have to take what they’re given, apparently. I’ve discovered that this is even true of the celebrated Eurovelo routes. So, rather than bounce over stones with the constant anxiety of punctures I preferred to take the road.

NB: Posting this here because I am literally bikepacking, not bicycle touring. The yellow thing conceals a backpack, I sometimes take trains, and the bike even has an electric motor (which respects e-bike rules). Bikepacking is a great idea.