CSS 2501 ANDALUSIA - MOTORCYCLE TOURING AT ITS BEST

Andalusia here we come!!! It's time to meet up for the Welcome Briefing for the CSS 2501 ANDALUSIA - MOTORCYCLE TOURING AT ITS BEST. It's 5pm and we're looking forward to introducing the new Andalusia tour to our riders. After a short introduction of each other, we went straight to the highlights of the tour. When you explain where we're going and what we're going to do, and you can see the eyes getting bigger and bigger, you know that the group is on fire to explore Andalusia. And that's a good thing, because on the one hand we're going to discover Spain's past, such as the Alhambra, and on the other hand we're going to drive some of the most beautiful roads you can drive here in Spain. Now, after all the telling of what to do, when and where, it's time to hand over the keys, and that's what we did. Sitting on the bike you're going to ride for the next 10 days is a good feeling because you know the time has come for the tour to begin - no more waiting, no more thoughts like: It could finally be March now, No now it's definitely time - The journey begins. But before we start driving, we have to sleep one more night and, like every day, we end the day with a great dinner, in this case our first dinner together. Day one - check. Day two is coming soon with our first impression of Spain. See you tomorrow Michaela and Axel

What a start! When angels travel. The weather forecast was not the best, but with the briefing the sun was also ready for us. We leave Málaga on the fastest way, on the highway. To also immerse yourself in the curve world of Andalusia. We are testing our driving styles, because today is the preview for the next 9 days. We have the streets to ourselves even though we are so close to the big city of Málaga. Don't bother us anymore. A stop for a nice picture from our start point. Let's continue. The white villages of Andalusia present themselves in the mountains after each turn. Of course we stop in such a place to drink a coffee in a local bar. And where is it easier to get into a conversation than there? Now it goes back to the coast - the costa del sol - or also called golden coast. Timing is everything, we sit and the sky opens for a violent shower - lucky. Half After a delicious lunch with local fish, we threw ourselves into the mountains. We had a lot to do after the heavy rain the streets were full of surprise. Also on our afternoon coffee stop, at 1432 altitude meters, the same happiness, engine off, rain on. Another 50 km to Granada, then we have reached our goal today. Also here again arrival equal rain. Our dinner today takes place in one of the restaurants in the middle of Granada, one was delicious. So now off to bed tomorrow an exciting day awaits us. Stay tuned if you want to know more. Say goodbye Axel and Michaela for today. Light off

If you've never seen an olive tree before? After this day, you've seen enough for the next 3 lifetimes. They are just everywhere you look, impressive. But let's start with the beginning of the day. It's 7am and we meet for breakfast to make the master plan for today. Some of us want to see the famous Alhambra and the rest want to drive. The plan: Team Alhambra - that's easy, they go up and travel back in time - should be seen once in a lifetime. Team Riders: Well, we'd love to go up to the Sierra Nevada, but there's been almost half a meter of snow in the last few days and down here in Granada it's only 5C which doesn't make it very appealing. But there is an option, and that is to head back to the coast where we find sunshine and 15 degrees. And that's what we did! The drive out of Granada was easy and soon we reached the coast, where our real ride began. The small coastal road was a good start to warm up for the first rollercoaster moment of the tour. What I mean is that we took a small mountain road back to Granada, which is both a joy and a challenge. Spain's roads simply remain one of the most beautiful playgrounds for motorcyclists for me!!! After so much fun, we had to refuel before we met up with Team Alhambra at the hotel to continue on towards Jaen. Which is our destination for today. But it was also lunchtime, so Michaela used the morning to surprise us with a picnic. The picnic took place more or less in the middle of the olive tree jungle and for the rest of the day we drove alongside millions of olive trees. What a day! This is the Andalusia we love to show our riders! In total, we rode over 330km and the combination of the snow-white mountains of the Sierra Nevada, the breathtaking coastline and the wonderfully winding roads in the hinterland on which we traveled made this day an unforgettable ride. A big thank you to all the riders for a great day. And tomorrow? Well, you'll have to come back for that. See you tomorrow Michaela and Axel

And because we didn't see enough olive trees yesterday, we're looking at another 2 million on our way to ANTEQUERA. We leave JAÉN quickly for the south. Relaxed through the olive tree plantations, with the white villages built into the hills. We don't let the rain spoil our mood. Because the sun comes through again and again. A coffee stop in Alcalá la Real and then up to Fortaleza de la Mota. The Moorish castle is once again a magnificent example. It's crazy what they built there almost 2000 years ago. We don't play a bit on any side roads. Also fun in the rain. You just have to be careful what's on the street. At the reservoir Embalse de Iznájar a break with strengthening. And white was so nice, we turn right again from the main road to ANTEQUERA. Riding a motorcycle is simply pure freedom. And we could drive on endlessly. If there are not always these booked rooms on the side of the road ;-). A hot shower, and a beer is also good. Tomorrow we continue to Seville where we will take a rest day. So tomorrow again on this channel With Axel and Michaela

I would say the headline almost speaks for himself today. Welcome to a rainy day with some sunny moments. It is early in the year and sometimes you simply not lucky in the case of weather. We started in the morning and from the parking we could see there will be no sun where we going to. But big boys on big toys they take on the challenge and so we did. First highlight of the day was El Torcal and as you see there is a picture but it is somewhere in the clouds and so we skipped the picture stop and went on. Next goal has been Garganta del Chorro/ Caminito del Rey on of the famous must-see places in AL Andalusia!!! On top we had a coffee, and the weather radar promised some hope and so we took of through the gorge and after a small lunch the sun came out and let us smile for a little while. As you can see on the pictures Andalusia can luck so pretty and it is!!! The dry roads towards Seville have been such a pleasing and we deserved it after all the taff riding in the rain. It was a great section of riding, and this let us almost ignore the dark rain front when we went into town to the hotel. All in one it was not a bad day!!! I would say Adventures is the right description. Well, well well -that has been our day and tomorrow is Rest Day with an option to ride or to enjoy the town or what I guess!!! we will do both. So, stay tuned and see you tomorrow here on the Andalusia Blog Michaela and Axel

What decision does a thoroughbred motorcyclist make when he looks out the window in the morning and the sun laughs at him? It's crystal clear !! WE ride motorcycles ;-) So a bit of breakfast, off to the motorcycle clothes and quickly out of the city. The northern hinterland of Seville is our destination. No traffic, no rain, just fun, that's what we want. Today we only ride motorcycles and enjoy the landscape. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere we stop on a bridge, because there was a river running down there that "a little" ran over the banks. The ranger on site explained to us that the dam is 10 times fuller than normal and thus the river stepped over the normal banks. The river was five times wider than usual. Normally you could walk through. But we had dry feet today. A coffee stop on the way and on its unnecessary roads. We had a bit of adventure with water crossing and roads that were secured with electric gates. But as we know, we do not let ourselves be misled and find our way. After our very nice outing today, we went to the city to eat tapas and watch a flamenco show. On the leisurely walk back we marvelled at the Giant Cathedral of Seville. Oh, that was a successful day. Thank you !!! Tomorrow it will continue again, then to Ronda for two nights. And you can be sure, we will have something to tell. So turn on again ..... with Axel and Michaela

Let´s get out of Seville, because a stunning ride is awaiting us!!! Welcome to the ride to Ronda. It is 8:30 the sky is dry, and the bikes and riders are ready for a breathtaking ride. Quick we have been out of town and the first goal has been Acros de la Frontera. An old moorish town which is well known down here and is famous for the small coppelstone roads and for sur for the Basílica de Santa María de la Asunción which is high above in the old part of the town and after we enjoyed the view from the Hotel, we went for a coffee before we took on the the rollercoaster motorcycle heaven part of the day. Yes, that's the only description what comes close to that what we had today underneath our tyres. It was such a pleasure after the last days with numerous great roads but in rain! The ride himself went along the Bull meadows which are surrounded from the national park Los Alcornocales. And one of the best things was for sure we have been almost alone on the road. Turn after turn we went deeper into the national park where each meter let us smile. Such a great ride over here! We could like ride forever, but there is also a place where we have to be tonight! And that place is Ronda. Well, known for the cliff and the Tajo gorge and of course it is the birthplace of the spanish Bull fighting. Famous people like Ernest Hemingway fall in love with the town and im curios if our rider will fall in love to? That has been our day and for the next 2 days we will stay here and enjoy the heart of Andalusia. So, let´s see what tomorrow brings! Michaela and Axel

Even rest days have to be. Even if we would have liked to drive, since we are here in the paradise of curves. But Peter forced us to take a break. Unfortunately, the weather was anything but what you want on the motorcycle. And since safety is important to us, we left our Stahlperde in the stable today. So everyone could sleep in and then look at Ronda on foot. Ronda is spectacularly located on a large rocky plateau. The two districts are separated by the 100-meter-deep Tajo Gorge. The oldest bullring in Spain is also located here. Tomorrow looks better again with the weather. And that will be our final on the beautiful Andalusia Tour. So check again tomorrow Axel and Michaela

Finale Today we start with a crying eye and a laughing eye. The sun is shining, but finally it is unfortunately our last day. That's why we start our finale with somewhat divided feelings. We pull ourselves together and start our day. Here in Andalusia you just can't get enough of all the curves. Even today there should be a few more curves that we take under the wheels. So we leave Ronda, not without driving over the bridge of the Tajo Gorge. Puertos means -Pass, which means - here are mountains. And mountains are known to bring curves on roads, we have a mischievous grin on our face. Unfortunately, we are driving after a cloud that has made the streets a little wet. So a little slower and enjoy the landscape. Puerto de Alijar, Sierra Palmitra, Puerto de las Abejas and Puerto de los pescadores should be "learned" by us. Talk again with the locals in the remote villages of Marbella and Málaga And Axel will welcome us at a pretty viewpoint with a fantastic picnic. In sunshine we enjoy local specialties. But we are not yet at the end. We will make a short stop in Mijas, a typical white Andalusian village. You think it's the backdrop of a movie. But unfortunately, our journey through Andalusia is now coming to an end. Even though we had a little too much rain, it didn't spoil our good mood. Axel and I (Michaela) say thank you for your trust and all the fun moments. We look forward to welcoming you (group) and you (readers) again soon See you soon