Spain - North to South

[Fordy5]

Hi,
I'm currently contemplating a potential Charity ride from the North to the South of Spain, Santander to Fuengirola (or similar) in Apr/May 2017. Just wondered if anyone out there has done or is doing a similar route and if you had any advice, generally or route specific. Looking at this as an idea for a more self financed ride rather than through a Charity 3rd party. I will be scouring previous forum entries but wondered if it could be quicker to get some feedback to this post. Really just considering it as a possibility currently but would appreciate any advice/comments.

A quick check shows it to be in the region of around 630 miles so would be looking at 5/6 days of riding. A crossing from Plymouth to Santander and maybe a ride from Bristol to Plymouth as well.

 

[MarkF]

5/6 days is hard work, into the very likely strong head wind 5/6 days will be an endurance test. I flew into Bilbao, rode the coast to Santander then headed SW to Malaga, I've sent you a link to my trip.

Thoughts:-
If you want ride it quick then go S to N, the headwind can be unrelenting and brutal up on the meseta.
Doing it again I'd still go N to S but spend longer riding the coast West and go South from Gijon because Cantabria and Asturias are beautiful and worth a few days.
I rode with another so rooms were cheaper than camping, wild camping is easy but rooms so cheap and often above bars, the latter being a source of unlimited attraction for me.
B roads are practically deserted, A roads are not busy, it's a really relaxing ride.
It'll be hot once past Salamanca and get really hot into Extremadura, you don't notice it when riding, wear 50+ cream. I didn't have any problem in June.
Water is available in just about every tiny place, I rode with just 2 regular water bottles.

The Spanish interior can be a really wacky place, please take time to stop and look at places and talk to people and you'll have a ride you'll never forget..

 

[jay clock]

I did it from the UK. https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=uZ&doc_id=11271&v=Oe

Top tip is Spain is ideal for cheap hotels. Often called a hostal (this is NOT a hostel) and around 15-25EUR inc wifi and a/c

 

[jay clock]

and also the N620 or may be the 630 southwards is stunning road and easy to navigate - see my blog...

 

[rich p]

Just a thought that south to north might be easier logistically too. You can pack the bike into a disposable box for the flight, and then ride onto the ferry at Santander without worrying about bike packaging.
I did something similar from Faro to Santander, albeit at a more leisurely pace. I'd do it again like a shot if I could.

 

[robing]

I cycled the whole way round Spain this summer and went from Gibraltar - Seville - Salamanca (little deviation in to Portugal) then Zamora, Burgos, Vittoria, San Sebastian. I agree with Jay, accommodation is plentiful and cheap and most have wifi and air conditioning so I wouldn't bother with camping. I think you are being a bit ambitious with your timescale. Interior Spain is fun, you won't see many tourists apart from the Camino and you will have deserted roads. The N630 is quite a good route as all the traffic goes on the autopista.

Also you can easily book ahead with apps like Booking and Trivago.

 

[The_Weekend_Report_Guy]

Ooooh I am so keeping an eye on this comments..!

If everything goes like I wish I will be moving to Spain, looking at Malaga as a possible... Stop by on your way..!

I mean in a near future..1, 2 or 3 years... Who knows.

 

[smith4188]

It's also worth learning a few words or phrases in Spanish. Once away from the tourist areas, finding English speakers in Spain isn't so easy. Food-wise, you'll be OK without a word of Spanish as you can always point at tapas, but a handful of words will help and, as a bonus, everyone will think you are Dutch.

 

[betty swollocks]

I did Bilbao to Fuengirola a few years ago, sticking to what were (on the map) minor roads and had a marvellous time. What really surprised me was three things:- a) just how deserted the Spanish interior is b) how quickly the vehicular traffic peters away to virtually nothing once you get out of towns and c) the great road surfaces - smooth, black tarmac. In some cases it looked like the road workers had packed up just the day before. Here's an example................

 

[cbw]

5/6 days is hard work, into the very likely strong head wind 5/6 days will be an endurance test. I flew into Bilbao, rode the coast to Santander then headed SW to Malaga, I've sent you a link to my trip.

Thoughts:-
If you want ride it quick then go S to N, the headwind can be unrelenting and brutal up on the meseta.
Doing it again I'd still go N to S but spend longer riding the coast West and go South from Gijon because Cantabria and Asturias are beautiful and worth a few days.
I rode with another so rooms were cheaper than camping, wild camping is easy but rooms so cheap and often above bars, the latter being a source of unlimited attraction for me.
B roads are practically deserted, A roads are not busy, it's a really relaxing ride.
It'll be hot once past Salamanca and get really hot into Extremadura, you don't notice it when riding, wear 50+ cream. I didn't have any problem in June.
Water is available in just about every tiny place, I rode with just 2 regular water bottles.

The Spanish interior can be a really wacky place, please take time to stop and look at places and talk to people and you'll have a ride you'll never forget..

Can you send me the route. I am planning the same in Feb/March

 

[The_Weekend_Report_Guy]

Ooooh I am so keeping an eye on this comments..!

If everything goes like I wish I will be moving to Spain, looking at Malaga as a possible... Stop by on your way..!

I mean in a near future..1, 2 or 3 years... Who knows.

Heeeey look at this comment..!

it became true 3 years ago in February.

Nice find..!