Cycle For Your Life

Stories on Two Wheels – Through a Lens, a Mic, and a Heartfelt Mind

Category: Travel (page 7 of 9)

12th July 2013

Rainbows over Alhambra

So I finally arrived in Granada after a long hard slog but it was so worth it. I headed for the city centre looking for the tourist office. I’ve now learnt that this is always the first point of call. I asked the very helpful chap for the top five attractions. He promptly circled on the map along with the train station which I also asked for. Next I went straight to the station to find out what times the train leaves for my next destination and then I went in search for cheap digs for the night.

Digs sorted, showed and shaved I headed out to Mirador San Nicolas. I had it on special authority that this was the perfect place to view the Alhambra as the sunsets over this glorious and Romantic city. I was not disappointed, as I sat down at my table the sun was setting which lit up Alhambra and then if the vista wasn’t stunning enough a rainbow welcomed the evening in. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

11th July 2013

Back on the road

MooSo my little holiday from my holiday has come to an end. I said my good byes and hit the road with a plan to go to Granada. So off I headed to Malaga train station and when I arrived went straight to the ticket office, where I was told that I needed to leave the building and go some place other. Not really sure where the guy meant but ended up just riding instead. After all it is a riding holiday.

I followed the N340 which follows the coast. Heading towards Nerja you climb coastal mountain roads and every hairpin the twisty turns take you higher until you can see the Sierras Nevada mountains. After seven hours of sweating like I mad man in what must be hells kitchen while climbing 24% gradient I had to think about stopping. Going on further would be just be madness. I decided to stop at Motril. This quite large town looks to be mainly industrial but I have found that they do have beaches and they have a camping site too.

So tomorrow I’m heading to Granada thru the Sierras which I know will be amazing And I promise to take photos, not like today’s weak effort using the nexus 7 camera..

So as I started my ride this morning I remembered the generosity of the people that put up with me over the last two weeks and how they opened their homes and hearts to me. Although this is my choice ttfo ride solo around Europe on a bike the solitude can be hard to take at times.
I hope that the new friends become the old friends that have made me feel part of their family

5th July 2013

Mijas blues festival

A full weekend of hot sticky in blues in Mijas. This free concert is on Friday thru to Sunday night and is in Plaza Virgen De La Pena. 

3rd July 2013

Last night with the Greens

Tonight is my last night with the Green family. I have really enjoyed my time with them a made friends with the amazing Caitlin who will be the most talented horse rider that ever lived and superstar Jack who is very funny and who is really good at washing dishes…lol. Seriously.. They have made me feel like one of the family and I know I will really miss them..

Thank you so very much for welcoming me in to your beautiful home.. Love Joe

3rd July 2013

Chillaxing

In the absence of doing any form of strenuous activities such as cycling 50 miles a day in 33c heat I thought I would work hard doing nothing on the beach. Yesterday I did take a Train ride in to Malaga to buy some shoes. There are many things I like about being on the Costa del sol but shoe shopping is not one of them. The lack of choice is one thing but the cost another but that aside the trip of worth doing as I got to see Malaga which really the main city on the Costa Del Sol. 

So if anyone was thinking where I’ve been for the last week here is a photo showing exactly what I’ve been up to. 

29th June 2013

Marbella and the Costa Del Sol

Today I rode in to Marbella and I was surprised to find that this popular holiday resort seems to retain a lot of its Mediterranean charm. I was half expecting a complete sellout to the tourist but found this Spanish Rivera to hold on to it roots. Its clear to see that Marbella is the top end of the holiday market on the Costa Del Sol with plenty of flashy cars, girls, guys and expensive bars. I was also surprised  to hear a lot of Americans. As I rode along the beach front with all the joggers, power walkers and cyclists all in the pursuit of fighting off the ageing process, me included I found it a chilled and relaxed environment and if the pocket was deep enough could easily find myself spending time living hear. Having said that waking up to the site of sun, sand and sea is clearly better than the grey cloudy days I’ve become used to. There is still many miles to travel and at the moment I’m enjoying the half time break.

28th June 2013

Calahonda Green

Its just coming up to a month since I started my cycling adventure. I have ridden through parts if northern Spain, the west coast of Portugal and then back in to Spain which took me to Sevilla. I then took a train Malage where I called an old friend who moved over here five years ago and now lives in Calahonda. He and his amazing family have kindly let me stay in there home for a few days. It feels like only the other day that we would be chatting in the car showroom where we all worked but its been over eight years. Since then they have had two lovely children, Jack and Catlin and moved to Spain. Yesterday I spent they day with them and watched Caitlin ride her horse baileora and made Jack wish he stayed at home when we went to the shopping mall. They are such an amazing family and its clear to see that moving to the Costa del sol has enriched their lives.

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