Today was one of those days that is best split into 3 parts Before coffee … Glorious Before lunch … Hideous After lunch … Longer and steeper than planned. Let’s start with before coffee. We left the hotel as it opened, just after 8, wheeling our bikes out of the wonderfully secure room they have … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète Day 11 . Igualada to Vic
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, today was a truly spectacular day on the bike. As usual, we set off at 8 and quickly cycled out of Lleida, enjoying the quiet roads of an early Saturday morning. Having spent the last 2 days cycling on some busy roads, I’d managed to find … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète Day 10 . Lleida to Igualada
We had every intention of having a slower morning today, as we only had an 80km ride planned, so felt we could have a bit of a lie in. We managed it, sleeping until 6.30, which is the latest we’ve slept all week, but even after a leisurely start, we were out of the door … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 9 Caspe to Lleida
We really did have the most perfect day off in Zaragoza, a beautiful city and a great place to explore the sites, sit at cafes and generally just relax a little after the first 4 days of riding. Yesterday afternoon, the weather closed in and we spent the evening watching sheets of water fall from … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 8 Zaragoza to Caspe
When we planned this trip, we remembered how tired we were on our day off in La Rochelle last year, and decided to build in a day off the bikes in Zaragoza. It has fallen at the right time, and we have spent the day just exploring this beautiful & vibrant city, sitting at cafés … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 7 .. A day off in Zaragoza
I would be lying if I said the last few days have easy cycling, but they have been amazing, spectacular and exhausting all at the same time. This afternoon, we arrived in Zaragoza, after another beautiful ride through ever changing landscapes. We left Daroca just before 8, walking across the cobbles, as my nether-regions were … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 6 Daroca to Zaragoza.
After yesterday’s ride, we were asleep early, knowing that today’s was going to be challenging too. We weren’t wrong. Once again, we were out of the door, pushing the bikes through the village, before the sunrise. I must admit, the thought of starting the day, riding across cobbles wasn’t my idea of a gentle start, … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 5
I’m sitting on the terrace of the apartment that we booked for the night, typing this, after a truly superb day on the bikes. If I had to sum up today’s ride in three words, they would be exhausting, exhilarating and magical. It was always going to be a big ride, as when we were … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète Day 4.. Pastrana to Beteta
We had a lovely day exploring Madrid yesterday, but by the evening we were just itching to get on the bikes and start cycling. We needed the day just to sort a few things out, but once we’d done that, we just wanted to get on the bikes and escape the city. We really aren’t … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 3… Madrid to Pastrana
This morning, every bone in our body wanted to get on the bikes and start pedalling. But for once, we had been sensible. Having had to dismantle the bikes to transport them, we had been a little nervous that we may have to deal with a few problems, once they had been rebuilt. We also … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète.. day 2. Exploring Madrid
Vaucluse Dreamer 