Southern Spain Extreme 4AN2501
Hello and welcome to Malaga, the sun is shining, it's warm and we have some time to recover from our exhausting journey. Some of us also use the time for a little sightseeing excursion. The fortress on the Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba are always worth a visit. In the evening, we meet for a briefing where we receive all the important information for the next few days. We finally get the keys to our motorcycles. The adventure is within reach. We get to know each other better at our first dinner together. The atmosphere is great. And we can hardly wait to finally get going.
Finally the time has come for our first riding day. The sun is shining and we can hardly wait to set off. After a short briefing, we set off. There is hardly any traffic and we quickly leave the big city behind us. And turn off into the mountains. But we don't miss out on one last view of the city. Up here, the roads are still damp from the night's rain. And so countless bends await us, as well as one or two “surprises”. After a coffee and some smaltalk with the locals, we head back down to the coast. The hotels in the tourist towns of Torre del Mar and Nerja are still as good as empty, so we enjoy the drive along the coast as if we had it to ourselves. After an exquisite lunch with a sea view, we head back into the mountains. You thought the roads in the morning were winding....;-) let's see if we can top that. And even if the weather isn't the best. The fantastic roads and the many small villages along the way more than make up for it. Tired but happy, we reach our small but very nice hotel. During our excellent dinner, we review the day once again.
The morning at the dam of La Vinuela had an ominous feel to it. Dark rain clouds were hanging over the mountains. Atmospheric to watch but bringing the promise of a rainy ride later. Naturally there was plenty of weather talk at the breakfast table and after our daily briefing the majority desided to rather keep it short and wet on a direct route to the next hotel. And unfortunately the earlier suspicion came true after a little bit of drizzle the bigger group encountered some heavy rain on the open country road. We just put our heads down and made some kilometers. After a short and wet ride we arrived in the hotel and they expected us already for an early check-in. The heating was crancked up and we all enjoyed a long hot shower. For the free afternoon we lingered for a relaxed lunch and the weather even allowed for a strawl in the sleepy village La Calahorra. For the adventurous few who decided to go for the whole day stage... we have to wait for their retrurn and stories to tell. And the stories are good. The weather on the route was actually better than expected, but the “adventurers” didn't stay dry either. But there were a few dry spots. And so the smaller part of the group went through the gorges of the Sierras de las Tejeda and over the mountains of the Sierra Nevada up to 2041 meters. There was everything from beach to snow. What a day
This morning we braved the rain and left the hotel towards La Puerta de la Ragua. Only to discover the had just closed the pass road due to icy road conditions. So we turned around heavy heartedly to Abla on the much shorter highway. We were still hit with heavy rain all the way, so a stop at a local bistro was in order to retain some warmth with a strong coffee. The locals eyed us sceptically when 9 wet riders stormed their hang out but everyone warmed up to each other quickly. After consulting with the allmighty weather radar we decided to hang out a little, make some new friends and wait for the rain to pass. You have to love when a plan comes to work! After half an hour we continue our trip with a litle sunshine on the go. And the Sierra de Baza delivered the rest. Sweeping roads, twisties on end, a wide open mountain panorama and big smiles on everyones faces! And then the adventure started, on the very top the pass road still had some snow cover which we carefully had to master. However, we were not the only riders an nother group just came the oposite direction. Once we made our decend temperatures increased and we had a well deserved lunch in Seron, where a very firm land lady organised our lunches, which caused some amusement. After lunch we weren't finished with the Sierra our ride took us back and onto the Alto de Velefique. How great was that! No straight bit in sight and an never ending rollercoaster of happiness. Which was only interupped shortly by some low hanging clouds that temporeraly moved and slowed us down for a little while. Unfortunately, a fellow rider from Israel got a little unlucky on the ride up and ended with the bike in the ditsch. We coming the other way of course gave him a helping hand and made sure he was alright. So an eventful day riding slowly came to an end and we made our way into Almeria which greated us with welcoming 20°C and lovely sunshine. We all deserve a cold drink and a big dinner now! What a day!
Almeria is a fascinating city and over a thousand years of history have left their mark. And a rest day doesn't mean we have to sit idle in the hotel. We take it very easy today. Our early risers start the day with a walk in the old town. Others want to sleep in a little longer. Of course, there is also another excursion on the program. The mountains around Almeria are a paradise for motorcyclists. The weather is perfect and we have some catching up to do. And so the whole group sets off at 10am to explore the area. And what can we say? It's worth it. Especially the road in the morning is an absolute dream. Countless bends, no...really no traffic and breathtaking views. After lunch on the coast, we head back towards Almeria. Again and again we encounter wild combinations of bends that defy the impassability of the mountains along the coast. When we return to the city, there is still enough time to enjoy our stay. We round off the day with a delicious dinner.
Good morning Almeria, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the mood is good. According to the weather forecast, we should stay dry today. The best conditions for a great day. After a short briefing, we set off. After leaving the city behind us, we tackle the first bends. We ride through the Sierra Bermeja mountains along rugged cliffs, over mountains and through deep, narrow valleys. The landscape opens up again and again and we are treated to wonderful panoramas. One of the highlights of the morning is undoubtedly the stretch between Arboleas and Valez Rubio. A narrow and deserted road that winds its way through endless olive plantations. After lunch in Valez Rubio, we unfortunately have to do without bends for a while. We make good time, our destination, the mountains of the Sierra de Castrill, are within sight. We stop briefly for a coffee in the village of the same name and enjoy the typical Spanish flair. After this short stop, we continue our journey. Crossing the Puerto Tiscar is our highlight of the afternoon. The landscape looks completely different from the morning. We would love to stop every 5 minutes to take photos. But riding is too much fun. Our destination today is Arroyo Frio. A small town with a landscape that is a little reminiscent of northern Italy. Once we arrive at the hotel, we enjoy a cold beer straight from the side case of our guides. Every day could end like this.
Today we started on another epic ride through the Spanish Sierras. The back country roads are dominated by olive trees upon olive trees. But we are jumping ahead here. Leaving Arroyo Frio this morning was a little chilli, but the road was just fantastic! It wind its way like a snake through the forest of the Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas. All you had to do was throwing your bike from side to side. After this pleasure, we made our way west through miles and miles of Olive plantations. There was literally no traffic and the road went in gentle turns through the fields. We even got some rays of sun, but the heavy clouds in the distance, evenso very impressive to watch, didn't promise any good. Nevertheless we pressed on in the hope to avoid the worst of it. A short stretch on the motorway brought us closer to the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Andújar another highlight of the day. The roads are a little weather worn, which adds to the adventure and the scenery is simply stunning. Unfortunately, the weather gods were not totally on our side today and we had to brave some downpours. But nothing lasts for ever and the last part of the day was dominated by gentle corners towards Mengibar.
All great things have to come to an end and today we finally had our last riding day (except Bret, who jumps straight onto the next!). From Mengibar we left for a relaxed ride through more mountainous scenery. Rolling hills, wide valleys, more olive trees and fabulous sweeping corners. Tempertures were a little chilly and an ocassional short drizzle was ended quickly by some spring rays of sunshine. Our lunch was once more in a true local little bistro and what more do you need than a tasty serano ham sandwich drowned by a warming cafe con leche! The last bit of our route took us over the popular Parque Natural Montes de Málaga. A last burst of pure happines that some used to swap bikes, so they could experience another bike model. And then it was time to mentally say good bike to the well cherrished riding companion. We arrived at the destination hotel where the bikes sadly had to be given back. It was a intense tour with a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. We like to say thank you for coming onto the ride and hope to see you again somewhere on the road again! All the best Thomas and Franzi