Spain - Ebro & Rioja (Land Only)

Wednesday 11th September

Meet at hotel in Somo. Stay 1 night.

Thursday 12th September

Cycle via VV del Pas, Puente Visego, Corrales de Buelna to Fragas. 61km (560m). Stay 1 night.

Friday 13th September

Cycle up Besaya valley on lanes to Bárcena de Pie de Concha; then steadily climb on quiet main road (bypassed by motorway) over 850m col into Reinosa. 27km (730m). Leave luggage at hotel before optional afternoon ride via Villacantid (Romanesque Church Museum) to Fontibre (source of Ebro) & back. 20km (110m). Stay one night. 

Saturday 14th September

Cycle on lanes by Ebro reservoir, then young Río Ebro; on gravel road from Bustasur to Aldea de Ebro (interesting group of churches); up to Arroyal then down by Río Polla to Bárcena and rejoin the Ebro through Polientes. After visiting the fine Romaesque church of S. Martín de Elines, the deepening valley sides close in to form cliffs adorned with pinnacles and battlements in fantastical shapes, such as 'the kissing camels' viewed from our hotel in Orbaneja del Castillo. 73km (520m). Stay 1 night.

Sunday 15th September

Cycle through a succession of gorges and more open valleys as the Rio Ebro carves its random way through limestone plateaus, sierras and basins formed by the Meseta butting up against the Cantabrian mountains. In two places the river cuts a cleft too narrow for our road to follow, so we must a climb a couple of hundred metres. Below Angés a cliff-carved hermitage can easily be visited. Finally we emerge from La Horadada defile into Trespaderne. 80km (820m). Stay 1 night.

Monday 16th September

Cycle by the Ebro: crossing a medieval bridge into fortified Frias, to wander its picturesque alleys; by the lake and spectacular gorge of Sobrón; through sunflower fields to Miranda de Ebro and on riverside cyclepaths through the town;  by a scenic corniche on the flanks of Montes Obarenes; to the vineyards of La Rioja and the winemaking town of Haro. 75km (350m). Stay 2 nights.

Tuesday 17th September

Free day in Haro. Optional cycle on Via Verde del Río Oja to the interesting mountain town of Ezcaray in the foothills of Sierra de la Demanda. Return via Santo Domingo de la Calzada (pilgrim's road to Santiago) where one may visit the Cathedral shrine to the miracle of the chickens! And so, via Anguciana and the old-time winery of Bodegas Olabarri (only 3km out of town so all may visit and taste), to Haro. 73km (400m) - optional.

Wednesday 18th September

Cycle out of Haro over the medieval Ebro bridge to Briñas; then hilly vineyard roads and some tracks through Bastida, San Vicente de la Sonsierra (visit hilltop Fortaleza) and into the Rioja Alavesa (the Basque part) at Elciego, where we tour the modern bodega - but very old in parts - of Marqués de Riscal, taste the product and view their stunning hotel (by Frank Gehry). We continue via Navaridas to the hilltop wine-making town of Laguardia. 39km (590m). Stay 1 night.

Thursday 19th September

Cycle up (500m climb) the mountain ridge that protects the vines from cold and wet northern winds, to the Balcón de la Rioja viewpoint, over Puerto Herrera, down and over a further, mere 200m pass,  to Vitoria / Gasteiz, in time to see something of the Basque capital and the greenest, most cycle-friendly city in Spain. 45km (870m). Stay 1 night. 

Friday 20th September

Use a bike-friendly escalator to access the old town and cycle out of Vitoria / Gasteiz avoiding main roads on bike-paths & side roads to Apodaca; gravel track to Letona; minor roads over Puerto Aiurdin, through Murgía, Goiuri to edge of Cañon del Nervion (view of Sierra Sálvada escarpment). Descend 400m to Urduña; skirt Amurrio via Respaldiza to Quejana. 58km (650m). Stay 1 night.

Saturday 21st September

Cycle via Llanteno, Sodupe, Güeñes; climb 200m to Txabarri; in La Aceña join the Vía Verde Montes de Hierro, contouring picturesquely around these mountains rich in iron and relics of past industry, to Gallarta; where another Vía Verde descends to La Arena. Here we must walk 100m across the beach, over a bridge to Pobeña and up a long flight of steps. The reward is a most spectacular Vía Verde, on a clifftop corniche and good tarmac to Covarón, whence the old coast road brings us to the resort and fishing town of Castro-Urdiales. 72km (610m). Stay 1 night.

Sunday 22nd September

Cycle along the coast on minor roads where available, though the main road is largely traffic-relieved by an adjacent motorway, via Islares, Laredo, Santoña and Noja, to Isla Playa. 64km (470m). Stay 1 night.

Monday 23rd September

Cycle mostly on back lanes through rolling green coastal hills, via Isla, Arnuedo, Galizano, Langre and Lorerdo to Somo, where tour ends at midday. 27km (340m). Option of joining other participants on harbour ferry into Santander.

The Area Covered By The Holiday

After circling the quiet side of Santander harbour, a day and a half tracing valleys and gradually climbing between the green mountains of Cantabria, brings us out at 800m in the Alto Campoo. This broad high-altitude valley is dominated by 2175m Pico Tres Mares, whence rivers flow to three seas - if you call the Bay of Biscay, as they do, the Mar Cantábrico! Here rises the Río Ebro, Iberia’s second greatest river, at 930km the longest entirely in Spain and almost three times the length of our river Severn. We trace the first and most spectacular quarter of its course to the Mediterranean. First it makes a large but shallow puddle in the Alto Campoo, then babbles south through thickly wooded hills. The hills close in as we enter the province of Burgos and the river begins to carve a series of spectacular gorges through the limestone of the Meseta. In the first gorge we stay at Orbaneja del Castillo. It's one of those off-the-beaten-path places you'll be so glad to have enjoyed before 'discovery' by the guidebook writers. There are open valley sections too, where rich crops are watered by the river. One such is guarded, together with a strategically important medieval bridge, by the hilltop town of Frías - another little-known gem, complete with 'hanging houses'.
Finally the Ebro cuts between the Montes Obarenes and the Sierra de Toloño, into the rolling chalky hills of La Rioja and the wine-making town of Haro, where we spend two nights. There will be several opportunities to taste the product before (and after) we move on to Laguardia in the Rioja Alavesa. Three days follow in the Basque mountains, visiting the green and cycle-friendly city of Vitoria-Gasteiz and the spectacular canyon of the Río Nervión, but careful choice of route, including several Vías Verdes, minimises the climbing.
We come back 'down to the sea and ships' on the trail of a British-made railway that brought ore from the Basque 'Mountains of Iron' to be shipped in exchange for Welsh coal, so there's a bit of industrial archeology too. We hit the coast immediately west of Bilbao, just where it starts to get pretty and spend the night in the resort and fishing town of Castro-Urdiales. A day and a half by the green hills, rocky headlands and broad sandy beaches of the Cantabrian seaside brings us back to Santander.

Rides & Rest Days

We will be spending 11½ days in Spain. Subtracting one rest day (with an optional ride) and another approximate 0.5 'days-worth' of wine-tasting etc leaves 10 whole days to ride about 640km and climb 6700m, an average of 64km and 670m per whole day, with no day exceeding 80km or 1000m. To enjoy that kind of daily riding, with luggage and enough relaxation to appreciate the view etc, you should be capable of a one-day unladen ride of at least 100km (65miles) with lots of hills.
The group will be led in a loosely knit group at a moderate pace with frequent stops for places of interest, photos and refreshments etc. We will use the ‘human signpost’ system to ensure that nobody misses a turn but anyone who prefers to make their own way is very welcome so to do. That's why, about four weeks before departure, GPS tracks & courses and a very detailed route instruction booklet in its own zip-lock waterproof wallet are sent to each participant!

Accommodation & Meals

Location is paramount on a moving-on tour, so if a scruffy 1-star guesthouse is the only place in the RIGHT place that will take our big group, that's where we stay! It should not come to that and the occasional less comfortable hotel will be offset by a night of 4-star luxury somewhere else with more choice. Local difficulties in accommodating a large group means that payment of the single supplement does not guarantee a single room on every single night, only where and when sufficient rooms are available that single use does not reduce the intended size of the group. If a single everywhere is essential, that may nevertheless be negotiable for a higher supplement, if clearly stated when booking.
In some places, more than two sharers of the same sex must share a three or four-bedded room. This will also apply when two people apply as a pair to share: they may sometimes have to admit a third or even a fourth person, or split and share with different pairs, etc.
When two people of opposite sex apply from the same address, it will be assumed that they are partners, ie a 'couple' and allocated a 'double' room equipped with one large bed where available, a 'twin', ie two single beds, where not. If you are not a couple or a couple that prefers separate beds, please clearly state this when booking.  
Conversely, when two people of the same sex apply to share, it will be assumed that they are a 'pair', requiring a 'twin' room. If you would prefer instead to be teated as a 'couple', please state this when booking.

Travel

For land-only participants the tour will start and finish in Somo, a village on the opposite side of the harbour from Santander, linked to the city by a ferry for passengers and bicycles. From Santander Airport, Somo can be reached in 18km without approaching the city, by roads (and cyclepaths) south of the harbour.

Group Information

The group mainly comprises participants with included ferry travel from the UK and is limited to a maximum total of 15 participants excluding the Tour Manager.

Weather & Clothing

We go from Spain’s green north coast and mountains – that catch all the rain – to their dry and sun-baked hinterland. So be prepared for a range of weathers, from cool and soaking wet to dry and burning hot. It is hoped that we will not need warm clothes and waterproofs, but be sure to bring one autumnal set, in addition to your usual summer cycle-touring togs.
Spanish law currently obliges cyclists to wear helmets when riding on the road. Although there are so many legal exceptions (urban areas, uphill, hot weather...) that enforcement is patchy to say the least, you will need to bring a helmet with you to avoid the risk of an on-the-spot fine and/or confiscation of a wheel.

Cycles & Equipment

A touring/trekking or expedition bike is most suitable for this tour. You should fit hard-wearing tyres of at least 32mm to avoid problems on gravel sections of Vía Verde. Mountain-bikes equipped with road touring tyres would also be suitable.
A bottom gear no higher than 25 inches is recommended, ie smallest front chainwheel appreciably smaller than largest rear cog. Bikes should have mudguards and secure luggage carriers. Your bike should be road-worthy and in sound mechanical order before leaving home. You should test ride your cycle fully laden before the tour to ensure you are happy with its handling. You shouldn't need lights, but bring them just in case. Each participant will be expected to carry sufficient spares and tools to deal with punctures and minor repairs to his or her own cycle.

Maps & Guides

For detailed maps that depict almost all the roads and even some of the rail trails we shall use: choose the two Michelin Zoom 1:150k maps numbered 143 and 144. Or for one economical overview map: choose Michelin Regional 1:250k map 573. 
Unfortunately though, neither of those options does actlualy map the whole tour. There's a little bit missing off the south of the two Zoom maps, and a different little bit missing off the west of Regional 573. To get it all you need all three, or 143 plus 573 for the whole tour with most of it in detail. The missing bits are small however, and included in your route wallet will be a colour photocopy of both of them on a single two-sided A4 sheet, so you can choose either detail or economy and still have it all!  

Travel Insurance & Advice

In addition to travel insurance, EU nationals should carry a European Health Insurance Card, obtainable from www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/. This enables you to take advantage of emergency medical services free or at a discount under a reciprocal provision that exists between EU member states. Your travel insurer may refuse to meet the extra costs of medical treatment if you do not carry this card. Before booking you should check the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice or on 0845 850 2829.