Biarritz to Madrid and beyond: Sunshine, Tapas and a few hills

Crossing the river Bidassoa, south of Biarritz, and you’re in Spain.

Not a sign to tell ya but the sudden change in architecture, people out and about (fellas standing on street corners having a fag), confusing road signs (its seems the Spanish have a motorway death wish on all cyclists ) and finally some decent sunshine …  but with sunshine came the hills – and innocently we thought that the Pyrenees were the only thing to worry about without realizing the whole of the central Spain is at a crazy 700m + elevation – Ollie cursing the tectonic action all the way through.

We hit San Sebastian, Tolosa, Pamplona, Tafalla, Olite, Alvega, Atienza, Madrid, Yepes and yesterday Halloween in Cuidad Real.

Pamplona

Stayed in a Camino Lodge in Tolosa (confirmed by the strong holy smell) and educated at first hand by Josu on the Basque culture.Town after town, big and small alike, has a castle, old church, cathedral or some other ridiculously old stone structure – gets me thinking what we were doing in Ireland when they were mad building stuff over here … drinking in hedges, fighting over potatoes ….!

Downtown Olite

Also more wifi spots, less bicycle lanes, more wind turbines and solar panels and Tapas go leor – yum yum ….. and Madrid, who’d think u’d find a place with more bars than Dublin.

Setting up a book of condolences for the phones we’ve already gone through – 2 drowned and 2 lost!

The Spanish, in comparison to the French, do seem more like the Irish – more straightforward and overt culture (now who have I insulted by such a statement!) – convenience is allowed (you can get a sambo and a cup tea in the one place and even at a petrol station and u can find vending machines), you can always find a shop or someone on the street at night time to ask a question, although the mystery of the vegetarian sandwich prevails – ethnic cleansing by starvation of Vegetarians , Vegans, Coeliacs, Lactose Intolerants …. down here.

All the way through France and Spain people have been extremely helpful and welcoming however a continuing great mystery unfolds of how some people don’t know the most basic local knowledge – the bubble of existence.

Uncovering also what seems the McDonalds of drinking – Irish Pubs – finding them in the most obscure of towns.

Progressing our camping skills – town parks, industrial estates,  decking of unrented chalet – sometimes some normal spots! - weather hitting 3 degrees at nighttime here now so wearing fleece, hat and the whole wardrobe in the tent – normally hang out in the local Tapas Bar for a bit of warmth until they kick us out at midnight – happy to be heading south!

Camping Osuna, Madrid

Trip Total 2084km – 4 weeks on the road today - Derek’s time is up so he’s back to the Emerald Isle – Ollie and I onward to Tarifa, in about 5 days for the ferry to Tangiers and the start of the North African cycling season :)

Mainsteet Atienza

More road kill for the local Chinese

Cycling by Moonlight

Plaza De Toros, Madrid

Random Orange Grooves I think

Funny Roundabout Guadalajara

Inspiring Road