SPTSM25012 Ride Andalucía - In the Footsteps of Sun, Curves, and History
Welcome to our friends from the US! From the very first moment, this group was full of energy and laughter. Even the welcome briefing turned into a fun and lively start to our adventure. Afterward, we handed over the bikes—big smiles appeared as everyone took their first seat. We ended the day with a late but delicious dinner filled with laughter and good vibes. Everyone is excited and can’t wait for tomorrow’s first riding day!
Our first riding day started by skillfully navigating the morning traffic around Málaga, soon rewarded with the first mirador stop. With the city fading in the distance, we made a few small adjustments to the bikes while enjoying the stunning view over the valleys. The ride continued to Colmenar for our first coffee break—let’s say, a solid 2.5 out of 5 ☕😉—before heading deeper into the Montes de Málaga. The winding mountain roads opened up beautifully, leading us all the way back to the sea for our lunch stop. A relaxed pace, blue skies, and an unforgettable seafood paella right by the water set the tone for the afternoon. After lunch, we climbed back into the mountains, reaching heights of around 4,500 feet. Smooth curves, breathtaking views, and another coffee stop along the way made for a perfect ride. The day’s grand finale brought us to Granada—the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain. This historic city, crowned by the majestic Alhambra, tells tales of centuries where cultures met and shaped Andalusia’s soul. Some went for a refreshing swim in the rooftop pool, others for a well-deserved beer at the bar. The day ended with dinner, laughter, and the kind of tiredness that only comes from a truly great day on the road.
Today began not on two wheels but with a walk through history – a visit to the magnificent Alhambra! This masterpiece of Moorish architecture sits high above Granada, its walls glowing with a reddish hue that gave the city its name: “Granada,” meaning pomegranate. The Alhambra’s red shimmer comes from the iron-rich clay used in its construction, glowing warmly under the Andalusian sun. Strolling through its gardens and palaces felt like stepping back in time, where every arch and tile told stories of art, power, and poetry. Afterward, Jaime and Iván picked up some excellent wine for the evening – a perfect souvenir of Granada’s refined taste. Our next stop took us into the rolling olive hills, where Chris awaited us at an olive orchard with an amazing picnic – fresh, colorful, and finally (mostly) healthy food to keep us energized. With satisfied smiles, we continued for a coffee break before heading to Antequera, our home for the night. The hotel, Finca Eslava, is a beautifully restored old mansion, full of Andalusian charm and quiet elegance. Another wonderful dinner, paired with excellent wine and cheerful conversation, closed the day perfectly – ready for more adventures tomorrow.
We left Antequera in the morning and soon reached our first stop – El Torcal de Antequera, an incredible mountain landscape shaped by time and nature. Once part of the seabed, this area rose millions of years ago through tectonic movements, leaving behind surreal limestone formations that look almost otherworldly. After enjoying the cool mountain air and the breathtaking views, we continued to our coffee stop, riding past several embalses – reservoirs originally built under Franco’s regime. Back then there were around 150; today there are more than 800. These lakes have changed the countryside significantly, with both advantages and drawbacks, but the landscape they created is undeniably beautiful. Our coffee came with a spectacular view over one of these shimmering blue lakes. Our next photo stop was at Caminito del Rey – “The King’s Path” – named after King Alfonso XIII, who famously walked it once during its inauguration in 1921. From there we continued to our lunch stop, which turned out to be a great surprise: an unexpectedly excellent meal at a place we hadn’t even planned. In the afternoon, the route took us through one white village after another, winding through Andalusia’s rolling hills. We stopped again for coffee in Zahara – one of the most stunning of all the white villages, perched high above a turquoise reservoir. Finally, we arrived at our destination: Parador de Arcos de la Frontera, a magnificent former noble residence built dramatically on a cliff edge overlooking the valley. As usual – a beer at the bar, a delicious dinner, and a good night’s rest after another perfect day on the road.
Under a bright Andalusian sun, we set off this morning from ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA. Our eight guests from the U.S. – a wonderfully cheerful group with Puerto Rican roots – were in great spirits and excited for a day full of adventure. After just half an hour on the road, we rode through the rolling countryside where Spain’s famous fighting bulls are raised. None of the mighty animals showed themselves today, but knowing that these fields nurture the legends of the bullring gave the landscape a special kind of magic. After our first coffee stop in the charming village of ALCALA DE LOS GAZULES, we continued to our first highlight of the day – GIBRALTAR. At the southern tip of Europe, we entered British territory, which has been under the Crown since 1704 and has long held great strategic importance. Following an excellent pizza lunch, we set our sights on the famous Rock. Since the line for the cable car was over an hour long, we wisely chose a ride up in a minibus instead. Our driver took us to two stunning viewpoints with breathtaking views of Africa and the deep-blue Mediterranean – and into a fascinating cave filled with glittering stalactites. Of course, we also met the famous Barbary macaques, the only wild monkeys in Europe, who provided plenty of laughter and selfie moments. After our Gibraltar adventure, we got back on the road and rode non-stop to GAUCIN, where we enjoyed one last coffee break. The little white mountain village offered beautiful views over the surrounding hills and was the perfect place to relax before tackling the final stretch. The ride from GAUCIN to RONDA was the grand finale – a dream of endless curves winding through the Andalusian mountains, pure joy for any motorcyclist. We arrived late but happy in RONDA – tired, smiling, and full of great memories. A perfect day on two wheels!
Our rest day in Ronda began with a split adventure. Chris and Iván couldn’t resist a morning ride – weaving through the stunning cork forests on winding roads that felt more like a rollercoaster than a road. The rest of the group took it a bit easier, exploring Ronda’s famous bullfighting museum and soaking in the atmosphere of this historic town. We reunited for lunch, where we were rewarded with what might have been the best burgers in Spain – perfectly grilled, juicy, and absolutely worth the two-hour wait (apparently, greatness takes time!). After lunch, we visited the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor, followed by a 360° view across the beautiful city of Ronda – dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, and whitewashed charm all around. From there, we descended the steep path down to the old Arabic Baths, among the best preserved in Spain. In Moorish times, visitors were required to cleanse themselves here before entering the city and especially before visiting the mosque – a ritual of both hygiene and spiritual preparation. Back at the hotel, the day wound down with a few drinks on the lively Plaza del Socorro and some delicious tapas just around the corner. A perfect ending to a relaxing and memorable rest day – ready for our final ride tomorrow.