I've found riding here to be a fantastic experience. These are some reasons why. 1. The climate, riding usually never involves being soaked to the skin, although riding in summer can get a little too hot,getting dehydrated even with a full camel back in me. 2. To relieve dehydration simply pull up at a cafe and have a few cold beers. 3. The scenery. In winter you can get into the mountains proper riding through orange groves and pine forests and the views can be quite fantastic. In summer I prefer to stick to the coast where its cooler and particularly like the views which the beaches provide, you won't get many topless ladies while out riding in the uk, will you? 4. Peace and quiet. Its actually possible to escape the traffic noise and listen to well, nothing really. 5. Dry Trails. Endless dry and dusty trails cause it never rains here. Saying that its been pissing down for the last 2 weeks and there's more to come. Just after fitting a set of dry terrain Michelins to my bike as well. 6. Sense of adventure. As it is nearly impossble to get any info on trails or decent maps(my spanish is crap), riding often involves just going out and seeing what happens and where you end up, lost usually. Better than riding round and round one trail like many do in the uk. 7. Little surprises to keep you on your toes. Like snakes on the trail, I'm from Ireland so never seen a snake before I came here. Caterpillar nests- as you fly through the pine trees look out for these, coz if u disturb one you are in trouble as the caterpillars eject asthma inducing hairs, and the caterpillars themselves are highly toxic. Cables and chains stretched across many trails by farmers trying to restrict acces to quads and moto x bikes, with no warning signs and very hard to spot until u are on them. I wondered why my mate was standing waving his arms at me after a very fast descent, bike in a heap and covered in dust shouting "stop, Stop", then I spotted the cable. Ah yes, it's all great fun.
I was in dublin some years ago, the climate its not very good to do mtb, the spanish bikers dosent know how lucky are.
if you think that mtb is great in spain , just come to Gran Canaria ,and you will discover the paradise of the mtb in all Europe . A lots of pros discover it some years ago and the winter here is always with a lot of foreigh mtbikers in the mountains.
Riding around Spain is so beautiful... is the paradise, especially, Gran Canaria. I have been there some summers ago but without the bike. Another great places to ride are the Pyrenees, and all places prone to rain during all the year, leafy areas.
hiya mate do you know where the closest bike shop is from playa flamenca ? as i have to pick up a few things when i get there in a couple of weeks time? thanks james
:machineg: I would suggest you to go to Ciclos Acequion in Torrevieja; ask for Eneko - he runs the shop...- and give him a try. Probably is the most reliable shop in town, as the rest only have bikes who could fit to my grandma..!! :mrgreen: He´s got a webpage still under const www.ciclosacequion.com but you may see Torrevieja is not far from Playa Flamenca... Support your local bike shop..!! CALAMBRES PAWAAAAHH..!!
good advice my friend i will be using this shop when i arrive in january gracias amigo james scotland
Except if you plan to ride on winter the north shore!!!, Basque Country for example where I live. Last winter wed had rain rain rain. Probably you can feel like at home with us.
G' day mates!!! How you doing? You should ride the camino de santiago is just really cool. I did it last season from roncesvalles to santiago de compostela and it was just gorgeous. There are some more paths to choose though which are even better eg. from sevilla. Lots of fun up there! And there was just plenty of fellas riding and hiking. Good stuff. Take it easy and have fun. Cheers.
You're right. We got a fantasty warm climate, but you have to understand that Spain involves a lot of small zones, with his own climate conditions. The rainy north, the sunny south... and of course the intermediate region, extremely warm in summer and extremely cold in winter, lol. Personally, I've been in Dublin and I must say that Ireland is such a beatiful country. Everywhere you look, you'll see it green XD. Perfect place... the rain makes it a great adventure. Nice to talk with you. Bye!