Tag: Spain
Spain – Sept 25 2010 Slideshow
by Bob_Thompson on Oct.08, 2010, under Spain Sept 25
Here are some pics of the Spain tour. Thanks to the all the participants for "going with the flow". Check in and let everyone know how you are doing.
Oct 2 Gaucin to Estepona
by Bob_Thompson on Oct.05, 2010, under Spain Sept 25
Today is the last day of riding. We had a nice breakfast at the "Caballo" and then saddled up for the big ride. We rode along a high ridge and then basically dove through the valley and then up and over a mountain range to the coast. I stopped in Jubrique for a sandwich, but Clara, Janice and Alexandra all skipped that and headed for the coast. Frank and Graeme, too, were somewhere ahead. I rode the 14k descent with the van somewhere behind me most of the time. It's not hard to do, as it is fast and just twisty enough so that vehicles have to be a little more careful than you do on a bike. You learn to zip up your jersey and to keep your mouth shut (and have eye protection) as there are usually plenty of bees in the neighborhood. I hit one, but he bounced off...done for. You just don't want them stuck on you somewhere. That's a distraction you don't need. Everyone made it to the bus station for the rondezvouz with our 60 passenger chartered bus. We even had time to dip our feet in the Med and have some tapas at the seafood place next to the bus stop. I had a huge grilled squid. It's roughly 80k's back to Malaga. Jim and and I followed in the van with the bikes and we packed up most of them right away. **** We probably had some of the best weather we have ever had on this tour. There was barely a drop of rain during the 8 night tour and it was mainly sunny with the temps in the 70's or low 80's. ***** This is the view of Gaucin, where we started the day's ride, from the opposite ridge. It is probably only 10 or 12k away as the bird flies, but we ride almost 40k to get here. Alexandra taking a shot of the Rock of Gilbraltar Gilbraltar on the left with Rif and Atlas mountains of Morrocco behind on the right. I think this was actually lunch on the way to Gaucin. At the Solera. Disambarking from our bus back in Malaga. We had plenty of room to stretch out. Most people slept. I big thanks to all the participants for making this such an easy tour. And thanks to Jimmy O, who was always on the spot whenever anything was needed in terms of support. Hasta Luego.
Oct 1 Ubrique to Gaucin
by Bob_Thompson on Oct.03, 2010, under Spain Sept 25
We climbed up and over past more of the oldest cork forests left in Europe. There is almost no traffic here and the landscape is rugged and spectacular. Gaucin is an old town where the streets are too narrow for vehicles. That’s nice. Everyone has to leave their car at the edge of town.
Gaucin in known as “The Balcony of Andalucia”. It’s well named. We are up high and it is crystal clear today. We can clearly see Gibraltar and past it, the Rif mountains and the the Atlas mtns of Morrocco. If I had more time, I’d be tempted….
Tomorrow is the last day of riding. The pressure is on. We need to be in Estepona on the coast by 3pm for a lift back to Malaga. There is a big descent and then an even bigger climb followed by an even bigger descent. The weather looks like it will be perfect….
Dinner at the Caballo Al Andaluz in Gaucin
Janice at the Old Castillo in Gaucin. It overlook the Rock of Gibraltar. Beyond Gibraltar we could clearly see the Rif mountains and the Atlas mtns behind them.
The Caballo al Andaluz in Gaucin. It provided a great view.
The Old Castillo in Gaucin
