70 | Cycling World
Brezo Cycling
Sarah and Gary Briggs work together to create the perfect weekly
bespoke cycling holidays and winter training camps for small groups
of 6 to 8 people in Almeria South of Spain. While Sarah is in the
farmhouse cooking up delicious, locally sourced breakfasts and
evening meals, including her famous Spanish Salad supper, Gary is
out on the roads supporting each daily ride.
Our “queen stage” featured the 14 mile climb up to the Observatory
Calor Alto and then up the 6 mile ascent to the infamous Velefique
climb. This was one of our coolest rides which serves as testament to
the altitude of the land we were in. Once in the valleys, however, the
warmth soon mounted.”
“Once again we were spoilt by some brilliant mountain climbs, good
roads, exhilarating descents and some fabulous hosts..” recalled
regular guest Andy “Chopper” Harris.
“Gary’s ongoing mission,” Andy points out, “is to search out new
routes and we were treated to a few this year, including the “super
highway” to Antas. Again a new piece of Tarmac laid presumably just
for cyclists!!”
Their main new feature, however, is an outdoor pool at their recently
renovated ‘Cortijo Grande’ (meaning large farmhouse in Spanish). In
addition, Guests can stay in an apartment, to the side of the main
house which comprises of 3 twin bedrooms, shared bathrooms, a
kitchen/ living area and sun terraces. There is also a secure bike store
with a basic workshop and clean down area and laundry room.
“In glorious Almerian sunshine, our first ride was a climb featured in
the tour of Andalusia and a nice warm up for the rides to come. We
decided against competing with the Dutch Team Lotto Jumbo who
we believe held the record at under 9 minutes.”
“On the second day, in weather hitting 28 degrees ,we rode to Uleila
del Campo village. After climbing up to the convent we were treated
to a descent made faster by a perfect road. It really is a continuing
feature of this part of Spain that the roads are virtually traffic free with
some of the best surfaces in Europe.”
“I really can’t recommend this place enough.” Andy said. “If you want
a cycling holiday and are sick of the hordes on Mount Teide and
the perpetual peloton up the Soller pass you really need to contact
Brezo”
About Brezo Cycling
Cycling enthusiasts Sarah and Gary Briggs started conjuring
up the idea for Brezo Cycling shortly after they decided to
join their family and relocate to Spain with their two boys.
Finding Cortijo Grande was the final piece of the jigsaw. In
2014, they set up a bed and breakfast and cycling holiday
business so they could share their love for Almeria with
“Our longest ride was a climb up to Bedar and back down to the
coast. After heading inland from Carbonaras we passed through
territory used in some of the Indiana Jones films.”
others from around the world.