Category: Spain Oct 2024 🇪🇸

I met a Latifa from Bahrain, it was my first evening of travelling. She was touring southern Spain in a motorhome. We subsequently messaged back and fourth just keeping in touch with each others travels. On one of her posts she showed her future travel plans, Distance each day,  where staying, price petrol, price campsite. I was severely impressed.  Surely you do a plan approximately like this Latifa asked. I thought for a bit. I chuck all my stuff on the bed a week or so before I travel. I select what I’m taking from that, that’s a bit organised.

Find the cheapest flight, usually it’s to Alicante or Malaga.

Then Komoot plans a route for me. That takes about 10 minutes.  But I followed that route for 2 days then just went completely off script.  I stay at campsites,  or not.

I try to buy 2 or 3 days food but will stop each day for coffee and cakes. 

Latifa said,

That plan is no plan

I like that and it seems to work.

I had a message from Lesley:

It may not have been what you were expecting but you have certainly been on an adventure.

And that is definitely what i enjoy about my bike travels and l spiel out my usual quote that Brett is forever haranguing me for saying 🤮 but:

Adventure begins when certainty ends.

When I explain to people that st the end of my trip I turn up at a city without a bike box or know where I’m going to get one. This is stressful  time for me but in the 30 years I have been travelling by bike I have never failed to find a bike box or a method of putting my bike on the plane that I found adequate.

I like the jeopardy

And this trip Damien of Hors Categorie came good for me. The process this trip was made all the more stressful by everything being closed for a whole day because of the rains. I also got a bike box of different dimensions than usual. The bike easily fitted in but possibly too much space and everything wobbled inside, luckily my sleep mat acted as padding.

Once again my Samsung smarttag told me my bike was in Glasgow on arrival a source of much relief.

I love travelling by bike. The places I go the people I meet.

Happy Days

1321kms in 22 days riding out of 32 in Spain. That’s an average of 60kms a day. I took it easy most of the time sndvi think I was successful in mot being rained on while riding which us a definate bonus.

Daily Stats

Distance 96kms

Time 4 hours 42 mins

Elevation 764meters

Speed 20.4 kph

Daily Disasters

1. Taken up a dead end dirt road

2. Didn’t phone the bike shop early enough.

Last night I made a decision. There were rain weather warnings for the whole area. Tuesday was supposedly clear but Wednesday snd maybe Thursday torrential rain. So I decided to book a hotel for 3 days. I still had to find a bike box for the flight home.

Alarm set for 7.30, I woke and slowly got my stuff together. And was out the gate by 9am. The first 20kms was a hilly and through s few towns.

Then my route took me on a classic Komoot road detour

Then my route took me towards a tunnel. I found out subsequently that some riders ride through the tunnel but at sbout 900meters long they scare me to death,  so I took the old road detour which turned out to be a beautiful climb

I knew when I descended this hill it was near flat all the way to Malaga.

As I got a bit of steam up, I met 2 cyclists who were going sbout my speed so I latched on and drafted them. One turned off and I stuck with the other, he seemed quite content I was drafting him, I did take the lead once but he immediately overtook me. I thought he was starting to flag when 2 young cyclists past us, and my guy put the pedal to the metal and chased then so I chased him. Now we were really flying.

Then I knew it had to stop eventually, we came to a roundabout and all 3 turned and left me. I was a bit worse for ware. I slowed down and stopped to put a bit of fuel into myself.

Only 26kms left. I cruised into and through Malaga. And finally got to my hotel at about 4 or 4.30

I showered and relaxed. My feet were severely thrombing and I had a bit of a headache.

Eventually I ambled to the reception desk at about 5.30. I asked and they had kindly agreed to phone some bike shops for me.  3 no answers and the 3rd call the guy answered, he spoke Engkish and had said he had a bike box. But he closed at 6, not enough time for me to get to him. So I now have to run the gauntlet of the storm tomorrow.  🤞🤞🤞🤞 here’s hoping all will be good.

Link to my tracker here

The terrible floods and rain forced me to readjust my route planning. I ended up in Orgiva about a week earlier than I had expected. And although I did for a moment think I was going to do an extra loop circumstances guided me towards staying put for a week.

When I set out on my days ride I have absolutely no idea how my saddle is going to affect me. There seem to be 3 default situations.

1. The edge of the saddle rubs against my right hip joint deep in my groin this causes pain and numbness in my gleut and hamstring. Which proceed to stop working so I’m only pedalling with my left leg.

2. I can adjust my position a bit and the pain in my right side is marginally better. But this causes my perineum to impact the saddle causing excruciating pain.

3. All is good. Minimum pain anywhere.

If only the ratio was a rotation of the three but unfortunately it’s more like a continuous rotation of 1 and 2 and once a week I’ll have a good day.

My time in Orgive has been fantastic. I relaxed. I saw my friend Moira, what no photos of you 2 together, no none 🤦. And I ate a lot.

Ride 1

Distance 42kms

Time 2hours 14 mins

Elevation 828meters

Speed 18.9kph

This is a beautiful ride up through Lanjarón. Then dips down around the reservoir and back to Orgiva. This was so painful initially my hip and groin then I shifted position and adjusted the pain to my perineum.

Ride 2

Distance 68kms

Time 3hours 21 mins

Elevation 979meters

Speed 20kph

A lovely jaunt down to the sea. Coffee/cake. And home. This ride much to my great joy was totally pain free.

Komoot did take me over a nonexistent bridge. I arrived home with soaking feet and a popped off boa

But the gorge I rode through was spectacular

My last evening the sunset was something to behold

Back on the road again.

Distance 46kms

Time 2 hours 21 mins

Elevation 712meters

Speed 19.8kph

I aimed to leave Orgiva camping at about 10am and was on the road at 10.15. Too much time prettying myself up.

The first half of the route was the same as the last route. Its a good ride and mainly down hill. I got to have coffee in Velez de Benaudalla. The road rises to its highest point just after at the top a short tunnel and then the descent into Motril. The road then winds its way up the coast through Salobreña and finally to Almuñécar and the ‘Tropical’ Camping. I think this is stretching my imagination of the word and its luxury meaning.  The campsite is nice and the people and facilities are many and varied. But it is next to the main road and the incessant traffic passing. But I’m here for the night and quite satisfied.

I know I took zero photos today.

Daily Stats

Distance 35 kms

Time 1 hour 21 mins

Elevation 234meters

Speed 26kph

Daily Disasters

1. Can’t remember from yesterday, grrrrrrrrrr
2. This ride was not arduous e ough to cause saddle problems bet I know they are there.

I rolled out of bed so late and slowly put my stuff together.  The proposed ride was short and mainly downhill. Eventually leaving at about 10.30.

Of course the proposed mainly downhill started with an uphill. Then swishing down. This road is high up (around 1000meters) with views across to the southern mountains with the Alpujhara valley in-between. 

I shouldn’t have stopped to take this on a precarious position. But 😲😲.

I stopped at Pampaneira for coffee. Then the downhill really started. Unfortunately a tow truck was hauling a van which caused a tailback of about 20 cars so the last 6 or 7 kms was slow and in traffic.

I rolled into Orgiva camping. I have friends in Orgiva so I will be staying here for a day or 2.

Daily Stats

Distance 63kms

Elevation 1624 meters

Time 4 hours 30 mins

Speed 14.1

Daily Disasters

1. Saddle is soooooo painful
2. Mistimed arrival at campsite.
3. Worst toast snd tomatoes ever.
4. Forgot to turn my tracker on till half way

They didn’t open the gates till 9.30. I was at the gate ready to go.

The day started bright and sunny,  the blue sky was wonderful to see. Within minutes I had my jacket off and short sleeves were perfect attire.

I thought iknew the road as I’d ridden and driven it s few times, but once again it threw up so surprises

I was hoping to go through Cadiar for coffee and a few supplies but the route turned off 1.5 kms early. I decided to carry on into Cadiar. Where Carrefour supplied me with food. I did stop for some what turned out to be the worst toast and tomatoes I have had so far.

There was a substantial amount of climbing today.  But if course the effort of the climb is offset by the views.

The climb continued Garmin had quite a few red bits, I just set my gear on the lowest and spun my legs.

Eventually Trevelez came into sight 1600meters up. It’ll be a cool night.

I rode into the campsite and had to wait 40 mins for the reception to open. But tent set up. Once again just as the tent was up it started to rain.

I have been to this campsite 3 or 4 times before. Its good

Daily Stats

Distance 42 kms

Time 2 hours 41 mins

Elevation 966meters

Speed 15.9 kph

Daily Disasters

1. Rain despite 3 apps saying clear sky
2. Saddle issues are ongoing. If the pain wasn’t so bad I would be able to cover more distance

Despite its slightly sleazy feeling I slept OK last night. Made my porridge on the doorstep again. And was ready to leave by about 9.30. I popped in for a coffee.

The sun was shining and I was full of the joys of autumn.  Of course another mountain to climb from the go. There were some steep rises over the climb. Peaking at just over 1300meters over about 10kms. But the views were spectacular and I enjoyed the climb. Reaching the top there was no plaque no signs to signify my achievement just the road stretching ahead. There was once again a set of false summits before the road plunged down.

A Spanish cyclist rode past going the opposite way, wearing shorts much to my surprise. He caught me up on the descent and showed me to a cafe in Ohanes but didn’t stop.

My route had a few rises then dropping down into Fondón and my campsite.  Possibly the most laborious of check-ins with me getting more paper than I usually do.

My saddle issues continue.

Despite 3 apps saying no rain I had just enough time to put my tent up/shower before the heavens opened for a good 40min downpour. Luckily the storm has passed and the sun is back.

I watched last night the devastation in Valencia and Castille la Mancha. I needed no English words from the news to understand the consequences.

Daily Stats

Distance 68kms

Elevation 1463meters

Time 4 hours 3 mins.

Speed 16.9kph

Daily Disasters

1. My saddle has really started to hurt me. Luckily I’m old enough not to want any more kids coz I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t be able to.

I ambled out of the hotel and set up my bike/bags then sat down to a coffee and toast and jam, I know something different, that’s the kind of guy I am.

So pleased my back brake is working again. But I popped into a bike shop to get some fine oil to lubricate some pivots. The shop guy initially misunderstood, my bad as my explanation was crap. One eventually we got there, unfortunately it didn’t solve the problem, that’ll be another job for Dales Cycles when I get back.

My route today was up then down practically 50% each way. And as I went up I wasn’t particularly of a mind to take many photos, I really just wanted to concentrate on my pedalling. Usually at about 2½ hours my undercarriage starts to suffer, but when I go up the time is reduced to about 40mins that gives me 80mins of crotch hell.

Mear the top I came upon a band of workers strumming the grass and undergrowth.  I thought it a peculiar time to be strumming.

The top had 3 or 4 false summits. Extremely stressful. And as I got close to the top the temperature dropped substantially.  I was down to just my short sleeve cycling jersey as the climbing was hot.

Between Granada (going up) and Almeria (going dowm) districts the road surface was night and day, Granada was so smooth them Almeria…

But the road got better after 10kms or so. This descent was fast and zig zaggy. I really enjoyed it

I rolled down and into my hotel. 🤔 there is s possibility this is a day rate hotel.

Then I had a snooze, worked out my route for tomorrow and did nothing the rest of the afternoon.

Link to my tracker here interestingly it’s times like this when there is uncertainty and flooding and disasters that I specifically bought the tracker for. Just so people can check where I am and if I’m moving in the correct sort of direction.

Daily Stats

Distance 89kms

Time 5 hours 24 mins

Elevation 1606meters

Speed 16.6 kph

Daily Disasters

1. Tent wet as I packed it.
2. Back brake very spongy. Descending from 1000meters with 1½ brakes is not clever or fun. 😬

It was tough getting sorted this morning. I’m still enjoying the hour change so when I get up it seems late but it’s early.  So I packed everything up as I said the stuff I had left close to the edge of the tent had a good spritzing of rain water. So I just stuffed it into my bag.

The Campsite had a supply of full gas cannisters so I replaced mine.

I was on the road at about 9.30. I knew there would be a town with s cafe soon. About an hour later the usual. At coffee Brett did message me telling me about the flooding and that many people had died in the Valencia area. Then warned me of increased chances of landslides.  😬

Then a slow climb up

Eventually hitting the pass. The wind had been buffering me about.

As I started the descent I noticed how spongy my back brake was. This descent is a real twisty turny, switch back ride of such awesomeness. Oh and the views. Well see for yourself.

I can safely say this descent on 1½ brakes adds a frisson of excitement and danger. But I did keep it slow, I do value my life a bit.

As I was nearing the bottom I met my 3rd fellow bikepacker. He was on a robust ride with a pinion gearbox.  He was on a fearsome route, starting at Cadiz,  over the Sierra Nevada mountains then onto Valencia.  Half way up the Sierras it snowed getting about 20cms in half am hour. He decided to spend a little time on road. No pictures of course I forgot as I was talking so much.

I was nearing Baza and the hotel. I arrived at 4.30 checked in, showered, washed all my cycling kit. Researched a cycle shop rode to it. The guy mini bleed my brakes charged me only €10 . I did a bit of food shopping as I was waiting. Cycled back to the hotel.  Rested for 30 mins…… till 8.15 now I’m waiting for my food. Time just disappears.  The waitress brought me some fish tapas as I was waiting so long for my food.

Link to my tracker here

Daily Stats

Daily Disasters

1. Rain
2. Thunder
3. Lightening
4. Rain
5. Lightning
6. Thunder
7. Rain

I settled into my campsite last night and sat under a porch for a bbq, cooked my food there ran to the tent and slept.

Throughout the night I was woken by torrential downpours. Water was spritzing over the tent bathtub sides and onto me a bit. I tried to rearrang the tent but it still wet me.

I have been monitoring the weather apps and assessing if I should ride, eventually at about 8.30  it was rai ing so hard I decided to stay here another day/night.

At 10 the rain stopped. I jumped onto my bike and went into the beautiful town of Cazorla.

Then rode to the supermarket.  As I was getting back to the campsite a few drops of rain fell, I quickly got into the bbq area snd then from that point on, about 11.30 to now 6pm it has rained snd thundered and lightening. Ranging from torrential to severe. There was one section of hail but very shortlived.

I have no idea how bad my tent is now, I’m a little worried.

They say tomorrow will be good.

Daily Stats

Distance 42kms

Time 2 hours 43 mins

Elevation  854 meters

Speed 15.5kph

Daily Disasters

1. Forgot to publish yesterday.
2. Tent footprint t covered in mud
3. Rained all night. 

After the rain all night the grassy ground was muddy, not to bad but packing up was a bit muddy messy.  Mist was swirling and my fingers were cold and numb as I put the bags on my bike.

Straight up into the small town for a coffee and cake.

Then on the road? My timing was perfect as the mist was slowly burning off. Despite this my fingers were still frozen. 

I stopped for a moment to adjust something on the bike and  as I put down I heard a snuffling behind me, and not 5 meters away was a wild boar just standing watching me, I manoeuvred my bike between it and me, my quick draw of the camera was good and I snapped this just before it trotted off.

The route today was flat up down flat. The first part was so pleasant a few towns there was the obligatory toast and tomatoes luckily this was just at the bottom of the climb. Basically yesterday and this morning I followed the valley of the Guadalquivir River and now I had hit the end of the valley and was climbing out. The road zig zagged precipitously up. I kept to a small gear and spun with ease.

Then up snd over the pass and speeding down a switch back road

Finally into Cazorla and to my campsite. I know only snother 40kms today but, well I’m trying to avoid the rain, I have been successful so far, here’s 🤞🤞🤞 for tomorrow.