Category: Spain 🇪🇸 March 2024

When I left UK the weather had been good for the 10 days I was in Oxford.

I packed minimal stuff, only enough for my up and coming trip from Skyros to Saville.  2 pairs of cycle shorts 2 pairs of knickers and one of e everything else. I do have lots of clothes already here.

I changed the tyres on the Open, then remembered I had taken my track pump and Airshot back to UK.  Here’s hoping my friend Vagios who owns a motorbike shop has a generator to pump up the tyres.  I’m using the Stayer Adventure wheels with Tune acid green hubs. They are a spectacular set of wheels and I’m real excited to be riding on them.

I also took all my tools back to UK so I’m in search for a cassette removal tools.

Tyres sorted I went for a ride.

The next day I packed the bike up about ¾ of what it will be.

Luckily when i left here a year ago the house was well closed off so very little work to do there. But there is so much work to do in the garden. It’s hard to split my time into garden upkeep and cycle trip setup.

It’s all very well cutting trees/bushes etc but there is nowhere to put the debris. I have organised a guy to come and strim the garden on Wednesday but till then I still cannot get to the bottom of the garden.

This is my Garmin Inreach Messenger I was hoping to have this setup by now but here on Skyros I do not seem to be recieving any texts, which seems to be tge only way to activate it. (And many other things, so I’m stumped with them as well). Hopefully when setup there is a website (maybe a page on this site) with a dot every 10 mins of my travels.

I will be riding my Open Up, Stayer Adventure wheels with Tune hubs. GRX Di2. Rotor 46/30 power2max NG crank 11-34 cassette.

Starting at top left

Poc helmet/Shimano gloves, Noho socks, PEdALED Odyssey bibshorts, PEdALED Odyssey Jersey.

Zpacks Duplex tent/pegs, Eyemask, Boardshorts, Albion UL insulated jacket, Albion bibshorts.

Bedrock Sandals,  Quoc Socks, Arcteryx long sleeve top, Icebreaker longjohns, Cumulus Plancklite puffa jacket

Drybag Osprey UL rucksack,  Gore Shakedry,  Rohan check shirt, PEdALED shorts, Bam knickers X 2.

Thermarest Zlite.

3 Dyneema drybags, Silk sleepingbag liner, silk pillowcase, Cumulus quilt.

Revelate front bag, First aid bag, Di2 bag, Electronics bag.

The alarm shook me from my slumber at 7.30. I had stupidly stayed up late watching films on Netflix.  I have no idea why i do that, it’s like a drug.

A couple of days earlier Paul had told me the ride from Ronda to Malaga was a big highway and cars and lorries and motorbikes. Must have been a completely different road to me as my road was quiet and the views were great. The Sierra de las Nieves were a revelation and considering their proximity to Malaga, so quiet.

Much of today was down hill with a couple of ups. I got to the Torremolinos campsite at about 10.30/11 checked in put up tent, showered then off to Decathlon 60 mins to get there walking and today was the 1st day they hadn’t had a delivery,  I walked back to the campsite. Then I googled the first bike shop, rode to it but no luck, but the second, DSG Workshop, I thought it was only a rental shop, but the guy said

I was ecstatic. I hadn’t thought how I would get it back to the campsite.  This is an extremely awkward thing to do, balance box on my head, carry it under the arm, eventually I got it on the handlebars, taking up the whole pavement sometimes the road as well. But 60 mins later I had covered the 3kms and the box is ready to fill.

The last night, I thought I’d go out for a steak. Oh how I wish I had not. About as exciting as my life gets is having sparkling water with my meal and when I’m informed they have run out, everything from then is downhill. The Gambas al pil pil was just OK. The Argentinian rib eye was good but not great, the baked potatoes with it was abysmal (definately should have had chips), the service was appalling, for some reason I contemplated having a desert…… madness. I paid and got out.

Now I’m looking for ice cream.

I took my time waking up, had breakfast then cruised into town for a coffee in the central square. Ronda is a beautiful town and 9am there are very few people sbout making it all the more pleasant. 

I sorted a route to my actual route. This took me through some smaller streets and when I saw a churos/ hot chocolate cafe I was drawn in like a moth to a flame. 

Today’s ride was lumpy and spectacular. Beautiful smooth roads winding up through gorges,  over high…ish passes. Every part of the ride was a pleasure.

Unfortunately due to my desired campsite being closed yesterday I rode an extra 20kms so today’s ride was 20kms shorter. Of corse I coukd have completed the whole ride today. But what would be the fun of that.

The campsite I picked I thought was one I stayed at before when riding down from Seville.  Unfortunately not although this one seems very quiet.

Last riding day tomorrow 😕

As I paid I pointed the direction I thought I was going. Of course it was the opposite way.

I one today was going to be a bit spikey and that’s exactly what it proved to be just under 2000m of climbing in 76kms no wonder I felt a bit knackered. 

The day was georgeous, hills and more hills minimal traffic. The roads had view points all along. You really cannot stop at every one or you wouldn’t get anywhere. The views were fantastic. In my new relaxed campaign I’m leaving at about 9am. Very little is open at that time, I searched for a cafe in 2 towns, it wasn’t till 11 and the 3rd town that I found a cafe, actually recommended by a woman I met at the top of a hill.

The road twisted and turned and finally I came to the turn off for Jimera de Libar where my camp site was. There were signs pointing to it so I assumed all was good. Deep down into a valley away from the main roads I was excited as most campsites are near main roads and are loud. I was looking forward to perfect tranquility.  I saw the flags flying out side. But as I drew up to the entrance the gates were closed. I heard someone inside.  I shouted hi, he shouted back Closed. I was crestfallen. 

But I know this can happen and I had already assesses the next campsite 27 kms away. So I sat down and had some lunch and set off up, up, up.

Into Ronda.

Set up in the campsite…. Next to a road.

I popped into Gibraltar,  rode to the lighthouse, had a coffee then rode out. While at the lighthouse a lady asked if I wanted her to take some photos. I gave her my phone and she bossed me around, over here, turn to the side, over there.  She seemed in a frightful hurry because she ran off to join here friends. I was sad I didn’t get to hear any if her story.

The border crossing I got stamped put of Spain then stamped I to Spain.

There were lots of cyclists out today, groups, individuals, slow, fast. Although I didn’t talk to any I did feel as if I was part of a collective. No other tourists though.

Because of this rather casual start to the day. I selected a close campsite. Always up.

I got settled in. Washed clothes,  had lunch @ 2.30. Then relaxed. I have eaten so much today. And 2 decaf coffees as well, really pushing the boat out.

I checked my bike setup, I discovered I think that my saddle is moving back as I ride. A week ago I shifted it forward now its slightly back. I moved it forward again, and put a bit of carbon paste on the rails hoping that will stop the slide.

Paul rode into the campsite. He’s been living in Girona and on his first bike tour. He seems to be enjoying it. He camped in the slot next to mine. No picture though. 🤷‍♂️

I have readjusted my route to a bit shorter. I’m feeling lazy and trying to take it easy.

On my week off I asked Becky and Iain if they could take a bag home for me. A bit bigger than a rugby ball and about 3kgs. The difference is so much lighter. I’m hoping on my ride back from Greece….. starting 25th May to be even lighter. I really am excited about that 🥳.

Waking up way before the alarm that was set for 6.30, which was also too early. Readjust for 7.30 tomorrow.

The campsite was quiet, but the main road it was next to had constant traffic throughout the night.

The route today was a bit convoluted it hugged the coast but I had set Komoot for a gravel route so it gave me about 20% gravel of the 100km route with dome 12% gradients, one of which was a bit too technical so I tactically dismounted.

I stopped at a patisserie so a early ride stop, then had coffee, toast and tomatoes as elevenses. Finally having lunch at about 2 with a couple of rolls with cheese and salami.

Eventually on the last climb I met Stephan a German guy who had ridden from Cologne. He was walking up a hill with his heavy loaded bike, 50kgs he told me. I stopped and walked with him.  Its great to chat a bit.

A week with my lovely niece her partner Iain and their 2 beautiful children Willow and AJ. I was totally knackered. No cycling 2 kids is real hard work. I take my had off to Iain and Becky for doing a great job.

I packed slowly. Then at 1pm I rolled out. My Archies app had only one campsite 600m along the road. I could hardly believe this so searched Garmin and found another 10kms away, ease myself back into the cycling.  But stupid Garmin took me on the most converluted route 27kms into the mountains folliwing ‘popular routing’ I suppose.

The hills were great, I have readjusted my saddle (again) and this time it felt ok but 27kms is not enough to judge. Tomorrow’s 100kms will be testing.

The campsite just off the main coast road Camping La Buganvilla is very pleasant, but an exorbitant €26 a night. And the worst showers. Just change the shower heads guys 🤦.

Loved my camp spot. I worried the kids would make noise late. Ut practically exactly 9.30 it was peace and quiet, a little piece of heaven.

The brewery would have been spectacular but the haze obliterated it all.

The good thing about labouring up hill last night is that the morning is all down hill. I got to  Algámitas Town, the cafe was booming I sat for my coffer. That ritual is so good. Then as I left I saw a Churos van

Unfortunately the wait was so long I left before I got to the front. But they did look delicious. 

The ride was fantastic cutting through mountains and gorges. Views to die for. Then as I was riding in a reverie a guy rode up next to me, he spoke Spanish I spoke English he told me he was English. 

Lee lives in Malaga we had a great conversation, but he was carrying light and I struggled to keep up. Eventually I turned off and he carried on.

10kms out of my destination I checked exact directions/location. Grrrr this added another 5kms to my route, a very up and down and convoluted extra 5kms it was too. But I arrived just under 6 hours, a tired man. To be immediately set upon by my Great/niece and Great nephew.

A warm welcome great to be here 😀

The road was flat and uninspiring for the first half of the day. A haze covered the sun making it hot but not sunny.

I stopped for coffee at a cafe with lots of cyclists. There also seemed like football supporters having a morning coffee, I saw no beer being swilled. They gave me the most uninspiring toast and tomatoes I have ever had.  Then I got to a bakery and bought some bakery treats that I smashed into my pocket they immediately crushed into one blob.

Then on to Morón de la Frontera, a town celebrating the chicken with lots of these rather scary statues, but i did like them, throughout the town. The cheese slices I bought yesterday had melted into a solid mass and awkward to cut, the rolls I picked as something different were dry. Not the best lunch.

Gradually I got to the mountain areas, I had picked out a campsite, well the only one. 5 kms up hill with long sections at 11%. I nearly got there but 500meters from the top I got off and walked.  The amount of people is small but there is a group of school children. Fingers crossed for a quiet night.

Luke and I stayed up talking and putting the world to rights.

I’ve had a great week being back in Oxford. But the 01.15 taxi (great taxi ride thanks Ismail at 001 taxis) to the coach station, the 01.50 coach to Gatwick, perfect timing to check in at 04.00 for my 06.10 flight to Seville. 

Everything went exceeding smoothly. 

Also a massive shout out to Mark at Bike Zone for a fast and comprehensive tuneup of my Reilly Gradient she is riding like a dream.

The flight landed at 10.00 and I was up and riding at 11.30. A short route to Camping Villsom on the outskirts of Seville. Via 2 Decathlon stores looking for cooking gas, and a couple of supermarkets.  But I am fully loaded now and ready for an earlyish start tomorrow morning.