122 | Cycling World
Cycling in Spain
A Whistle-Stop Tour of Some
of Spain’s Best Cycling Locations
Written by Tom Edwards, www.holidaysbycycle.com
Pictures provided by Pixabay – CCO Public Domain
Sierra Nevada
Not for the faint-hearted and with an effort warning,
the Pico de Veleta cycle route in Spain’s dramatic Sierra
Nevada mountains is a must but only for die-hard
cyclists. Little known, this route has it all in terms of
drama, challenges and sheer beauty. The Sierra Nevada
mountains rise 3,478m above sea level, making them
the highest in continental Spain, and the route itself
has an altitude gain of around 2,700 metres. Starting in
Grenada, there are a couple of options along this 43km
ride, however the most popular follows the A395 all the
way to a service road (more of a track) at the mountains
peak, where the road tops at 3,300 metres above sea
level, giving it the official title of the highest in urope.
A gradual ascent is the order of the day for most of
the journey, although nearer the peak the challenges
start to appear as the harsh wind, lack of oxygen and
disappearing surface make the ride an awesome and
unforgiving experience. Luckily, if you prefer mountain
biking and something a little more down to earth, you will
find plenty of smaller and easier mountain bike routes
within the wider Sierra Nevada range and there is a
dedicated bike park (Sierra Nevada Bike Park) with over
20km of trails.
Northern Spain, the Basque country
Bordered by the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastian and
itoria- astei , the Basque Country has a varied and lush
landscape with something for every cyclist. San Sebastian
is a well-known tourist hub and, with its beaches, world
famous gastronomy and title of European Capital of
Culture 2016, it makes a great base. From here, you can
indulge in several recognised routes, such as the ride to
Bilbao. This
km route takes you along the coast into
pretty fishing villages and through glorious countryside
with plenty of stop off locations along the way. At
Bilbao, you can explore a vibrant and diverse city, from
the historic cobbled streets of Casco Viejoold town (old
town to the modern rank ehry-designed uggenheim
Museum.
Another great area to explore is the Rioja region.
Famous for its red wine, the Rioja region is also a cyclist’s
paradise, with a mix of dramatic gorges and rolling
countryside connected by quiet roads, vineyards and
attractive towns and villages. Of particular note are the
historic towns of Logroño, Laguardia, and San Vicente
which reward you with some fantastic restaurants and
attractive medieval architecture. A classic ride in the
region follows the meandering path of the river Ebro as
it weaves its way through Campoo, Pesquera, Medina
de omar and aro before finishing in ongrono. This
unforgettable journey takes you from the dramatic
backdrop of the Cantabrian mountains as they gradually
make way to gorges and truly unspoilt countryside before