Trying to find time

Not everybody has the chance to take a month and do nothing but cycle. If The Trans-Iberian Express is your first cycling trip, and you’re not sure what part of the trip would be the best for you, consider your abilities and strengths on a bicycle:

Don’t have a lot of time? The two middle weekends – April 4th through 6th and April 11th through 13th – will be going through areas which are accessible by trains. The first weekend in April will follow the Tajuña River valley from Sigüenza to Morata de Tajuña; the second, we’ll be heading through the southern end of Quijote country into Andalusia.

Not a big fan of hills? The terrain in Spain is not mainly plains: this is one of Europe’s most mountainous countries. For those who prefer plains, the section between Toledo and Valdepeñas is relatively flat without being monotonous, passing through vineyards and wildlife sanctuaries under great blue-bowl skies. Another section to consider is the stretch going between Jaén and Osuna, in Andalusia. After a small climb on the Vía Verde del Aceite, it’s all downhill for two hundred kilometres on one of Spain’s longest rail trails.

Or, on the other hand, do you love hills? There’s a reason why some of Spain’s best cyclists come from the Basque Country – the weather is generally mild, the hills are challenging without being murderous and there’s a deep-rooted cycling culture that’s the envy of cyclists living in other parts of the peninsula. While our route going inland from San Sebastian follows the Plazaola Rail Trail, the Basque Country is criss-crossed with secondary highways that provide stimulating, challenging riding.