Today was always a big landmark day in the ride. The day we reached the border of Spain and crossed back into France. It’s hard to believe that we have cycled that far. Of course, it should now go without saying that we were up early and ready to go by the time the sun … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète Day 14. Girona to Collioure
It doesn’t matter that this is a day off the bikes and we have nothing to do, other than amble around a beautiful city… Our body clocks seem to be thinking differently! I know we’re larks and are always happier being up and active before the sun, but after the last 9 days of cycling, … More Saddlebag of Memories Madrid to Sète. Day 13 Rest Day in Girona.
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
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’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
Vaucluse Dreamer 