First proper tour in ages - two weeks in Spain

[HelenD123]

I'm so excited . A friend has invited me along on a cycle tour of Spain. I'll be joining her for two weeks in April to cycle the Spanish water-shed inspired by this Crazyguy journal. Keep your fingers crossed for me that COVID behaves itself.

My lovely husband has given me a two week pass. I don't think he realised that every evening would be filled with planning: learning Spanish, route creation, kit research (I love this part as much the trip)

Hit me up with any local knowledge. We'll be wild camping a lot and only doing short days as my friend is taking her Brompton and a dog. We'll be setting our from Almeria and I'll bail somewhere near Madrid to head home.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Usual tip for Spain is start early, enjoy mid day siesta with food, then as it cools a bit more to finish for the day.

 

[mjr]

For your kit research: they have a bizarre helmet law

 

[HelenD123]

Usual tip for Spain is start early, enjoy mid day siesta with food, then as it cools a bit more to finish for the day.

I looked at the temperature for early April and it said a maximum daily average of 19C and minimum 6C. That sounds good to me. I wilt when it gets really hot. I'll be packing warm layers for the evening.

 

[HelenD123]

For your kit research: they have a bizarre helmet law

Tell me more! I always wear a helmet.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Tell me more! I always wear a helmet.

Something like Helmets don’t need to be worn in town, but do if rural, unless going up a hill, or it’s over a certain temperature. Anyway if you wear one all the time it doesn’t matter.

 

[Blue Hills]

whhat's the dog doing?
just trotting alongside?
or carrying stuff that won't fit on the brommie?

whatever, have a great time, do report back - with pics.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The dog will be map reading

 

[HelenD123]

whhat's the dog doing?
just trotting alongside?
or carrying stuff that won't fit on the brommie?

whatever, have a great time, do report back - with pics.

He has a basket that fits the front Brompton mount. He's a seasoned cycle tourer and knows which road/trail is suitable for him to get out and run and when he needs to stay in the basket.

 

[Rusty Nails]

whhat's the dog doing?
just trotting alongside?
or carrying stuff that won't fit on the brommie?

whatever, have a great time, do report back - with pics.

The dog is to guard the bikes.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The dog is to guard the bikes.

It’s probably the type of dog that will lick any potential thieves to death.

 

[Rusty Nails]

It’s probably the type of dog that will lick any potential thieves to death.

That would certainly put me off stealing it.

I would never want to be licked by a dog. They lick their own arses!

 

[HelenD123]

It’s probably the type of dog that will lick any potential thieves to death.

Yes, more of a licky dog. We're not travelling round Spain with an Alsatian

 

[The Crofted Crest]

Yes, more of a licky dog. We're not travelling round Spain with an Alsatian

Or travelling around Alsace with a Spaniel!

 

[andrew_s]

Something like Helmets don’t need to be worn in town, but do if rural, unless going up a hill, or it’s over a certain temperature. Anyway if you wear one all the time it doesn’t matter.

The uphill/hot day exceptions have been scrapped.
Helmets are not required in urban areas. Urban/not urban is defined by the entering or leaving village/town signs.

Enforcement is more likely the more you look like a racing cyclist, or if you are in an area popular with racing cyclists (eg Majorca)