Looking forward to travelling up the eastern sea board of Spain, promises of warm weather and warm water to swim in, we retraced our ride into València to head north. It was amazing to see land just on the edge of the large city being cultivated with crops. I sure this land has been used …
We’d heard this name, Via Verde, a couple of times in passing but it wasn’t until we spoke with an English couple in a cafe in Olmedo that I became more curious. Via Verde is a greenway project in Spain where disused railways are being turned into cycle/walk ways. There are about 135 trails covering …
To pack or not to pack? That was the question. We planned to take the regional Renfe train from Segovia to Madrid & had been told that provided we booked them, we could take our bikes, at no charge, without having to pack them up at all - so much easier when contemplating the alternative …
With another night of wild camping planned, we set off, passing through some lovely villages. Villages Nava de la Ascunsión and Nieva Stopping at Real de la Nieva to have a look inside the Monasterio de Santa Maria la Real de Nieva. With the rain threatening we abandoned our wild camping plans and pressed on …
The bus trip was easy as. Taking the chance to reduce any travel sickness, I happily snoozed my way through a good portion of the journey. It was the day the massive country wide power cut hit Portugal and Spain and I pretty much missed it. Greg being more plugged-in than me, mentioned the outage …
…by hills!! We have ridden ourselves into a corner of great big hills. The planning department will need to be spoken to about this! Knowing now that our time in France will be excluded from the Schengen Visa zone, due to a 1947 post war agreement between France and New Zealand being still in force, …
After some umming and ahhing we decided to walk the Camino Portugues. With 3 routes on offer, the 243km Central route was chosen. We had seen quite a bit of the coast line while biking to Porto and had enjoyed the little villages that we had passed through. Bikes: In storage, tick Walking Packs: Bought …
Back on the bikes, the day was sunny with a strong Nor’easter as we cycled towards the Atlantic coast. Our first view of the sea was just short of São Martinho do Porto, and also the start of the coastal cycleways. São Martinho do Porto There was quite a bit of building happening for what …
Heading out on our bikes seemed daunting but once through Lisbon city we rode alongside the Tagus River. Leaving greater Lisbon The ride was mostly on cycleways including a 6km boardwalk section and a slightly muddy unpaved section, without making contact with the towns to our left. The day passed with relative ease although we …
Travelled: 393 kms (Total 4,061 kms) Departure day, Thursday, dawned clear and tranquil, perfect cycling weather. With Sue as our very able guide, we rode from Havelock North and connected with the Hawkes Bay Trail through to Napier and stopped for lunch at Hapi, (imagine a macron over the “i”) the excellent café at Chantal’s, …
JG on balance 