Today felt very strange, as it felt as if we had really started the ride home and if we’re honest, we aren’t really ready for this little adventure to end. Of course, it can’t go on forever and the house-sitters leave on Sunday, so we can’t simply keep cycling, however tempting that may be! We … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 16 Collioure to Peyriac de Mer
Today was back to normal on the bikes, and couldn’t have been more different than yesterday’s ride. It was one of those days that put a smile on our faces from beginning to end. We set off from the beautiful town of Vic, cycling out as everyone else was in their way in, so we … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 12 Vic to Girona
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
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
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
I can hardly believe it, but after months of planning and a lot of fears that something would happen to throw a spoke through our wheels, we are actually on our way to Madrid. We will have a day to find our feet tomorrow. Then on Saturday, we’ll cycle out of the city, beginning the … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète … Day 1 Aix to Madrid
In so many ways, it’s been a mad few weeks and we will soon be starting on the chaos of the summer too. So we’ve thrown a bag of clothes in the car, loaded the bikes and have pottered across to the south west of France, for a couple of weeks of peace, quiet and … More Cycling in new places
We had such a delightful day yesterday, ambling around the brocante stalls and shops in Pezenas, but we were ready to get back on the bikes again today. When we were planning what to do this week, we had gone round in circles trying to decide whether simply to cycle from place to place each … More Bikes and Brocante Day 4 … A loop around Beziers
We topped off the first day’s ride and train journey, with a lovely walk around the narrow and colorful streets of Montpellier, before having supper in one of the old city’s vibrant squares. I do love Montpellier, it’s always a great place to explore, with its stunning architecture, beautiful trompe l’oeils and superb artisan studios … More Bikes and Brocante … Day 2, Montpellier to Pezenas
Vaucluse Dreamer 