Cycling Spain
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Cycling Spain
This self-guided cycling holiday takes you through the vineyards, rolling countryside and picturesque villages of La Rioja. Planting, harvesting and wine-making rule the local calendar, while historic towns, stone walls and ancient bridges adorn the countryside. Along your route there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy impressive wine estates and soak up the history and culture of this fascinating region. Each evening, you can look forward to welcoming accommodation and famous regional gastronomy.Cycling Spain Tour Highlights
Cycle La Rioja – Ride past the famed vineyards of the Ebro Valley and visit historic villages
Wine and Tapas – Excellent local wines complimented by superb regional cuisine
Sierra de la Demanda – Cycle the foothills of the Demanda range to the birthplace of the Spanish language
Camino de Santiago – Cross the pilgrims’ trail (St James’ Way) at Santo Domingo de la CalzadaWhy Book this tour Cycling Spain:
Unlike many other operators, we include the hire of your bike in the overall cost of the holiday: you don’t need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a pump, lock, spare inner tube and tyre levers. All you need bring is your own helmet.Cycling Spain Cycling Information
On this journey you cycle 182 km over five days (an average of 36 km per day) with further optional rides available. The terrain is mostly gently undulating, more pronounced on days 5 and 6, with some flat sections mixed in. Most of the route is on tarmac roads with about 15% on gravel roads in good condition. We have graded the route as easy to moderate.Climate
Spain
Overall, spring, early summer and autumn are ideal times for a Spanish trip – though the weather varies enormously from region to region. The high central plains suffer from fierce extremes, stiflingly hot in summer, bitterly cold and swept by freezing winds in winter. The Atlantic coast, in contrast, has a tendency to damp and mist, and a relatively brief, humid summer. The Mediterranean south is warm virtually all year round. -
Cycling Spain: Day 1: Trip starts in Ezacaray
Your holiday starts at Santo Domingo bus station where you will be met and driven to your accommodation in Ezcaray. You can travel to Santo Domingo bus station by public transport or private transfer; alternatively a direct taxi transfer from the airport to Ezcaray can also be arranged at additional cost. Sitting in the foothills of the Sierra de la Demanda Mountains, the pretty town of Ezacaray is an hour and a half’s bus journey from Bilbao Airport. Here, the first two nights of your holiday are spent in a welcoming and family-run hotel in the pedestrianized town centre. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to visit the bicycle shop and test out the bikes on a 21 kilometre ride through the foothill villages of Posada, Zaldierna and Urdante. You will be required to sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike. We also recommend taking time to explore your host town. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, the church of Santa María la Mayor is worth a visit. Its impressive Aragonese Gothic style is unique in La Rioja. Ezcaray offers a good choice of restaurants and tapas bars for this evening’s dinner.Details of how to reach the start point of your holiday can be found on our website in the tour specific ‘dates and prices’ section by clicking on ‘Joining Info’ and then the ‘Show More’ button.
Hotel Casa Masip
This boutique hotel is centrally located in the village of Ezcaray and run by the charming Masip family. Facilities include a lounge area, restaurant and gastrobar.
Included Meals: BreakfastCycling Spain: Day 2: Circular route via Santo Domingo de la Calzada
On your first day of cycling, a circular route will take your through La Rioja’s beautiful painter’s palette of grain fields, orchards and sunflowers, as well as shady woodlands. After riding downstream through the Oja River Valley, you head into the hills. Stopping off in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, the cathedral here merits a visit. You may be struck by the number of pilgrims passing through this town on their journey to Santiago de Compostela. Your return route takes you along the Via Verde – an old railway track that has been converted into a cycling path.Your total cycling distance today is approximately 46 kilometres.
Hotel Casa Masip
This boutique hotel is centrally located in the village of Ezcaray and run by the charming Masip family. Facilities include a lounge area, restaurant and gastrobar.
Included Meals: BreakfastCycling Spain: Day 3: Pedal to Badarán via UNESCO World Heritage monasteries
The first part of this morning’s route takes you back along the Via Verde, but in the opposite direction. After turning off onto gravel tracks to the village of Gallinero de la Rioja (the Riojan Chicken Den), you will follow a tarmac road to San Millán de la Cogolla. This remote village at the foot of the Sierra de Demanda is home to the UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Yuso and Suso. A fine Romanesque church built to honour St Millán still stands at the site of Suso. It was here that the first literature was produced in Castilian, from which the Spanish language derived. In the early 16th century, the monks moved to the neighboring monastery of Yuso and it remains a thriving community today. You may choose to take a guided tour of these treasures before continuing north to the wine-producing village of Badarán – your base for tonight.Your total cycling distance today is approximately 41 kilometres.
Hotel Conde de Badaran
Included Meals: BreakfastCycling Spain: Day 4: Bike across plains to San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Today’s route to San Vicente de la Sonsierra takes you across the plains of the Rioja Alta, by way of Alesanco, Azofre and Briones. On your way, you may choose to visit Vivanco winery, with its vast collection of wine-making paraphernalia, including some 3500 corkscrews. In addition, their gardens are home to over 200 varieties of grapevines. With its beautiful Medieval bridge and impressive Gothic church, the pretty town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra will be your base for the last three nights of the holiday. Your cosy hotel here is situated in the historic town centre.Your total cycling distance today is approximately 27 kilometres.
Villa Sonsierra
Located in the ‘High Rioja’ in the historic village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the Hotel Villa Sonsierra is on the hill close to a marvellous castle and the church of Santa Maria la Mayor. The decoration of each of the thirteen rooms is unique and related to the local wines and vineyards. Facilities include a breakfast room, restaurant, wine cellar and library dedicated to the world of wine and local production.
Included Meals: BreakfastCycling Spain: Day 5: Loop ride into Alava
Today’s circular route takes you into Alava – the Basque province of the Rioja wine region. Here, every square inch of fertile soil across this rolling landscape has been covered in grapevines, with Medieval villages sitting on hilltops. On your route, you will pedal through the historic town of Laguardia and the wine-making village of Elciego, where you will find the intriguing and avant-guard Marques de Riscal Estate, designed by Frank Gehry. Your return route to San Nicente takes you along quiet country lanes through vineyards near the River Ebro.Your total cycling distance today is approximately 42 kilometres.
Villa Sonsierra
Located in the ‘High Rioja’ in the historic village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the Hotel Villa Sonsierra is on the hill close to a marvellous castle and the church of Santa Maria la Mayor. The decoration of each of the thirteen rooms is unique and related to the local wines and vineyards. Facilities include a breakfast room, restaurant, wine cellar and library dedicated to the world of wine and local production.
Included Meals: BreakfastCycling Spain: Day 6: Circular route along the River Ebro to Haro
Today’s circular route takes you along the banks of the winding River Ebro to the Rioja wine capital of Haro. Along the way, you’ll pedal past lovely spots, such as La Bastide and Abalos. Should you prefer, there is the option of doing the first section along gravel roads instead of the slightly longer tarmac route.Your total cycling distance today is approximately 27 or 30 kilometres, depending on the route you take.
Villa Sonsierra
Located in the ‘High Rioja’ in the historic village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the Hotel Villa Sonsierra is on the hill close to a marvellous castle and the church of Santa Maria la Mayor. The decoration of each of the thirteen rooms is unique and related to the local wines and vineyards. Facilities include a breakfast room, restaurant, wine cellar and library dedicated to the world of wine and local production.
Included Meals: BreakfastCycling Spain: Day 7: Trip ends in San Vicente de la Sonsierra
After breakfast, at a designated time you will be driven to Haro bus station where the organised part of your holiday comes to an end. From Haro bus station you can catch a bus back to Bilbao. A direct taxi transfer to Bilbao can also be arranged.
Included Meals: Breakfast -
Cycling In Spain: Pricing due to currency fluctuations and seasonal changes please inquire for the best possible price.
Cycling Spain: What’s Included:
Bike Details
Your included bike is a 24 gear Specialised Crosstrail hybrid bike with front suspension and will be the correct frame size for your height. Each bike is fitted with a lateral pannier bag (30 litre capacity) as well as a handlebar map note holder. A water bottle holder is provided as well as the facility to fit your own pedals (9.5mm) or saddle/seat post (27.2mm) if you wish to bring them. A lock, pump, spare inner tube and puncture repair kit with tyre levers will be provided. You will be required to sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike. All you need to bring is your own helmet.Cycling Spain: What’s NOT Included:
International flights
Any extra local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included passes
Baggage handling & luggage forwardingAccommodation changes and upgrade are available for all our Cycling Tour, make an inquiry now