Cycling around Spain can be fun, inexpensive and flexible. Not only will you see a lot of the country but you’ll meet a lot of people too. Many towns in Spain have bicycle-hire shops and Spaniards themselves are keen cycle fans so you will be well received and find facilities along the way. However do remember that Spain has the highest average land altitude in Europe after Switzerland and the mountainous terrain can take its toll. Plus it’s very hot in summer and the heat can be pretty tough. In summer you need to start out very early and try to rest when the temperature peaks. Try also to leave plenty of time in your day for sightseeing, picnicking or visiting little villages so it’s not all hard slog. Then you can try to cover more distance in the cooler afternoon hours.

You could also pack your own bike so you know you have something reliable, but usually your guesthouse or hostel will be able to point you in the direction of the nearest rental place if they don't rent the bikes themselves. There are bike shops in the larger towns and you should be able to find parts in garages. If you do travel with a bike check with the airlines how to pack it and what costs are involved. At the least you should deflate your tyres so they don’t explode in the unpressurized hold. If you want to put your bike on a Spanish train they can go in the guard’s van.

Spaniards do drive very fast and there is often a lot of traffic on major roads so you should take care. Most cars will hoot before they pass to give you some warning – or scare you right off the bike until you’re used to it! Always go single file on major roads.

 

Always lock your bike up when you’re not on it. Don’t leave it outside overnight, the hotel/hostel/pensiyon should have somewhere safe for you to keep it.


PREPARING FOR THE TRIP
If you are planning a cycling trip through Spain you need to be prepared. Here are some handy hints and absolute essentials:

- a basic repair kit and knowledge of bicycle repair. Make sure you take spare inner tubes, tools for adjusting seat heights
- extra snack food and water (it can be a long way between towns in some parts, particularly if you get marooned with an injury or fault on your bike)
- pack light! You can buy extra food as you go and you really only need bike riding gear and a change of clothes for evenings in town.
- maps (detailed for side roads that you might take)
- itinerary – give someone a copy of your itinerary and check in with them every few days so they know you are okay.
- helpful hints – there are lots of people that have biked through Spain and a lot of them have put up details on websites.
- learn some basic Spanish to get you through small towns and villages.

 

CAN YOU FIX YOUR BIKE?
If you are not going with a tour or with someone that knows their bikes then you need to have a working knowledge of your bike components. Most people that embark on this kind of holiday know their apparatus but obvious essentials are:
- spare inner tubes
- tyre repair kit and levers for tyre removal
- bike pump
- tools for adjusting brakes, seat height, and other parts of your bike
- lube or oil for your chain
- first aid kit
A trip to your local bike shop would be the best place for more advice.

 

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
The Camino de Santiago in northern Spain is predominantly a walking route for pilgrims to the town of Santiago de Compostela but many people do cycle it as the route can accommodate bikes also. You won't be considered a real "pilgrim" but you can benefit from the rifugio's and services along the way. Go to these websites for more details:
http://homepage.mac.com/verbier7/index.htm
http://caminodesantiagobybike.blogspot.com
http://www.bikespain.info/en/d_santiago_en.asp
http://www.bikespain.info

Other options could include:
- The Guadalest Valley in Alicante and the surrounding area provide excellent road cycling and mountain biking.
- From Granada and up through the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain ranges.
- Head to Castilla to León and La Rioja to cycle through the mountain areas past rivers, valleys and plains. It’s also a well known wine region.

 

SAFETY
Always inform someone of your intended route and check in with them as regularly as possible. Make sure you have checked the weather forecast and know what the normal weather is for that time of year.

 

MAPS
Make sure you know where you are going, have a map and can read it!
www.amazon.co.uk has some good literature on this.

 

RENTAL COMPANIES AND TOURS

Cycle Espana
http://www.cyclespana.com
For small groups who like challenging tours.

Spain Adventures
http://www.spainadventures.com
Walking and hiking tours in Spain’s beautiful landscapes such as the Spanish Alpujarras, The Pyrenees, Asturias and the legendary Camino de Santiago.

Bike Spain
http://www.bikespain.info
Offers guided, self-guided, city tours and road cycling tours of Spain in regions including the Camino Santiago, Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia and along wine routes.

USEFUL LINKS
http://www.bikespain.info