Bici-Spain

31/03/2024

Bici-Spain in Valencia

27/03/2024

Snapshots from 2022

26/03/2024

The iconic destination built on the bed of the Turia River, now a municipal park, is a lovely place for a dusk ride.

26/03/2024

31/12/2023

https://vimeo.com/895191102?share=copy

This is the cobbled-together documentation of our 2022, 5-day, 6-night Bici-Spain ride beginning in the region of Valencia, having our first paella; from there covering…

22/06/2023

From coast and into La Huerta de Guardamar.

27/08/2021

Recently La Vuelta 2021 rolled through our town of Guardamar. It was a thriller to experience up close.

26/08/2019

https://www.elespanol.com/deportes/ciclismo/20190824/directo-etapa-vuelta-espana-salinas-torrevieja/423677638_22.html

Contrarreloj por equipos inaugural en un circuito urbano y llano que recorrerá las calles de Torrevieja. Un trazado sin muchas complicaciones sobre una distancia corta que hará que las diferencias sean mínimas de cara a la clasificación general.

14/08/2019

So La Vuelta (Spain's version of The Tour de France) starts in a few days right here in Torrevieja, just off the Salinas and works its way up into the area that we are proposing for our September ride. Check it out!

https://www.lavuelta.es/en/overall-route

16/05/2019

Hello All - Well we could not quite pull it off for this week's ride. We had lots of interested folks but many conflicting obligations that made us think that maybe we can re-schedule the ride for this coming Labor Day Holiday week.

We hope that this change makes coming out to Spain more possible for you.

We should still have great weather in the southwestern regions. So ponder the possibilities and then book your flights...we think they should be coming down in price by then as well.

13/04/2019

Hello All. Just a note that as of today, April 13, we do not, unfortunately have the minimum number of riders necessary to make this May tour into a feasible event.

We will keep the inscription period open for another seven days, until the 20th of April in hopes of additional riders joining in.

If we do not make it happen by then we will have to pull the plug on May and try to reschedule for sometime in early October, when the weather here is a bit cooler and still great.

Perhaps we waited too long in getting the word out for this May but hey, at least you know about us now and maybe October 2019 is the real sweet spot for the year. Ride on! 🚵‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚵‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚵‍♀️

04/04/2019

gentle reminder part 2

04/04/2019

...a gentle reminder.
🥘✈️🇪🇸🚵‍♀️🚵‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️

30/03/2019

Dear Bike Friends, Just a reminder that our ride is coming up soon. We launch on May 20. We have had a lot of enthusiastic response to this event and have already had some of you wonderful folks book a spot by sending in a deposit.

But we still need to fill the minimum number spots (12) to make the ride official. Once official - which we hope is soon! - we need to start reserving your hotels and get other logistics organized.

Like back home in the States, money talks here in Spain and only by receiving your deposits can we ensure the ride as we have envisioned it for you.

Plus Costa Blanca Cycling needs to make sure that we are for real in order for them to be able to hold our bikes as well as the support vehicles that we need to make this work.

May is lovely here. The downside is that cycling season picks up and groups from northern Europe like to travel to Spain to ride, so you can bet that there are lots of other asses that want your saddles! Let's not let that happen!

Let's get us booked ASAP. Remember that we will give you a 100% refund should for any reason the ride does not happen, or if for some reason you can not make it here due to a last minute emergency.

One other thing. One of our friends who has already sent in some cash is noticing that flights to Spain in May are beginning to creep up in price. So the sooner this event becomes official, the sooner you can book your flights and save some cash.

Have a great weekend, all. 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲

Alex
Bici-Spain

27/03/2019

Sorry all. I seem to have posted the last video multiple times. I have addressed the redundancy now so that we are all on the same page. 🚲🚲🚲

27/03/2019

Last weekend I took a ride out to the salt lakes. It was a dim, cloudy sunset and a high tide that I had not seen in a long time. For one, the high water covered the salt beaches - bummer- and not the dramatic late spring/summer sunset that I was hoping to capture still a lovely, serene place to end the day. Here's a little video sharing the moment.

20/03/2019

sorry. cant stop.

19/03/2019

Okay, well it looks like Bonnie is not going to join us. She is going to miss out, but cycling in super-cool places just might not be her thing, and that is okay. But if Bonnie is not signing up because of some misunderstanding about the weather in Spain, and where the rain falls, mainly...well let's just clear that up right now.

The weather in the Costa Blanca in May is suberb: predominantly blue skies and warm air, but generally without the serious heat that defines the summer months. There is a reason we chose May for this trip. Come enjoy it with us!

17/03/2019

Weather Bulletin: Hi Biker Gang. Just thought I'd interrupt your pint to share the local weather here today...

High in Guardamar 81 and sunny skies. High in Murcia (see below).

Yes I admit it, this is a shameless teaser post, but if you've got it, right? So how's the weather back home today on this warm St. Patrick's holiday?

(oops I see we're dipping back down into the 70's this week...better keep that long-sleeve shirt handy for just a little while longer.)

We now return you to your frosty mugs. Enjoy.

12/03/2019

Bici-Spain Costa Blanca Tour: May 20 – May 26

A Fully Supported Bike Tour in Spain this May? Tell Me More!

Would you love to see a beautiful part of Europe that is untrammeled by hordes of tourists, and to see it by bicycle, and in perfect weather? There is a trip to the Costa Blanca region of eastern Spain this May that will make this happen, and we at www.Bici-Spain.com know it is going to be amazing!

Who are we? Back in earlier days, Alex and David (see below) studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, working on an urban planning project together in Philadelphia before eventually moving to Valencia, Spain and Boston, Mass, respectively. Alex teaches Architectural design studios in Spain for U.C. Berkeley and freelances, while David designs projects for universities around New England. He is also a daily bike commuter, logging 4,500+ miles M-F annually. Both love exploring and sharing new discoveries by bike. Is there any better way to absorb a new place than by bike? We don’t think so!

Alex noted that David’s commutes and longer trips were recounted like illustrated travelogues, similar to Alex’s sketch-based architecture studios. Wouldn’t it make sense to combine the two, weaving a cycling itinerary through Mediterranean Spain’s landscape, architectural and gastronomical treasures? And rather than hammering out maximum miles at the expense of pausing long enough for a sketch, a handful of careful photos or a cup of coffee, wouldn’t it be great to build in the time and flexibility for individual exploration without the worry of getting to a campsite in time to make dinner, or to a motel to secure a bed? Yup, it sure would!

And, wouldn’t it be great to have a week-long trip supported by an experienced biking outfitter with local knowledge to plan the routes, provide the right bikes for local conditions and handle logistical support?

Well, we found the right people for the job, at www.CostaBlancaCycling.eu. A Spain and Netherlands-based team, CBC hosts cycling groups of all kinds, from slow-speed cruisers to Dutch racing teams in winter training. With great bikes (Cube) and years of experience on the Costa Blanca’s roads trails, our guys Bas and Eff will provide transport to the best riding and places to visit and steer us clear of that which is best left to commercial bus tours.

So, what’s the deal?

The tour spans a week, from Monday, May 20 – Sunday, May 26. The cost is 1600€ ($1822) and includes all local VATs (Value Added Taxes). We request a reservation payment of 525€ by the end of March so we can start to reserve meals and lodging.

The cost includes all hotels and breakfast every day, and many of the meals. (See the itinerary for details) The price is based on double occupancy rooms with 2 single beds. If you require a single room, we will check for availability and extra cost.

The tour cost also covers the rental of a bike for 5 days, and all transport for you, your baggage and the bike for the duration of the tour.

Your hosts, Alejandro Salazar Jasbon (aka: Alex) and David C. Anderson can be contacted through the
Bici-Spain website www.Bici-Spain.com and on Facebook www.facebook.com/bicispaintours.

We are happy to answer any questions you might have!

Reserve your spot today!

12/03/2019

Express Itinerary May 20-26, 2019

Day 1: Monday, May 20
Arrive in Murcia, check into hotel in the historic center. Hotel TBD, but most likely either of these:

www.cataloniahotels.com/es/hotel/catalonia-conde-de-floridablanca or https://www.cataloniahotels.com/es/hoteles-en-murcia
or
https://arco-de-san-juan-es.book.direct/en-gb

Free time for exploring & sketching*, meet & greet with all riders at 5:00 pm, then get fitted to bikes. Afterward, drinks & tapas in Murcia to get acclimated to Spanish nightlife, and overnight in Murcia

Day 2
SAG (“Support And Gear”) transport, w/bikes on a trailer from Murcia to Caravaca de la Cruz, a 1-hr drive
Ride downstream alongside the Segura River to Calasparra, 27 km/16.8 miles
Paella lunch**, sketching time, and optional SAG transport, or 20 km/12.5-mile ride back to Murcia
Dinner** at the hotel, and Murcia nightlife
Overnight in Murcia

Day 3
After breakfast, we’ll check-out, and saddle-up
Ride along the lower reaches of the Segura River toward Guardamar, on the Mediterranean
Scenic break in historic Orihuela, and a later stop for lunch** in a riverside village restaurant
Murcia to Guardamar de Segura = 60 km/37 miles
Overnight in Guardamar www.hotelguardamar.com

Day 4
The day is free, with 3 basic options:
The beach is a 3-minute walk from the hotel
Discover Guardamar by bike or by foot on this bike-optional day (Great biking southward along the shores of the Med)
Join trip-leader Alex on a day-long vehicular excursion to Alicante, a short drive up the coast, and hike up to the historic Castle of Santa Barbara, perched above the town, and other sights
Overnight in Guardamar

Day 5
We’ll have early breakfast, check out, and then load the vehicles & trailer for a short drive to Elche, famed for El Palmeral, a World Heritage Site, and other notable sights
Saddle-up and ride from Elche to Novelda, a short ride of 18 km
Lunch**, exploring, and vehicular transport to Biar, a short drive (the rocky & steep bike ascent is not recommended)
In Biar, there is ample great riding, whether through olive groves or forested mountains
Dinner** and Overnight in Biar www.daniyabiar.com

Day 6
Breakfast and exploring in Biar, check out and SAG transport to Bocairent
We saddle up for a stem-winding, 50 km downhill ride to Vilallonga, with lunch** along the way
SAG transport from Vilallonga to Altea, on the sea
Overnight in Altea www.hostalfornetaltea.com

Day 7: Sunday, May 26
Breakfast at the hotel, and check out
Head for home or continue to your next adventure!

Important Note: We need participant commitments SOON so that we can go ahead and guarantee hotel availabilities!

*Each day will allow time for sketching drawing, video, writing, and discussion
**Meal included; all Breakfasts included w/ hotel

26/02/2019

Itinerary + Tour Details...Finally!!!

Hi all. This is a more legible version of the post (for those of you who no longer have super hero eye sight). Thanks!

https://www.scribd.com/document/400835931/Bici-Spain-and-Costa-Blanca-Bike-Tour-March-20-26

Itinerary Monday, May 20 (Day 1) Participants arrive in Murcia to check into accommodations. (See below for more specifics on accommodations) As we are unable to coordinate each rider’s arrival, whether via air, rail or bus, each of you is responsible for your own transport to the hotel, where you...

23/02/2019

Get ready! We are ironing out the last few logistical wrinkles in the trip itinerary and will be posting the details this weekend. Together with Costa Blanca Cycling www.costablancacycling.eu we have laid out a constellation of riding, exploring, sight-seeing, dining and relaxing. We are double-checking some details, and will lay it all out in the next 24 hours. Stay tuned!

16/02/2019

In view of our future ride, our guys Eef and Bas decided to due some due dilligence and revisit our proposed route from Guardamar de Segura to Elche to Biar and back down the coast via the mountain pass. Always good to scout out the trail before the pack sets out to challange it. Hope you enjoy this little video that we put together as a preview for all you interested folks.

12/02/2019

It is said that rice was brought from the East to the Mediterranean by Alexander the Great, and later to Spain by the Romans but primarily by the Arabs, who also brought so much to the culture of this land. That said, Spain has relatively few rice producing regions. Calasparra happens to be one of them, albeit one of the smallest. This however does not prevent the locals from claiming that due to the region's unique combination of altitude, relative dryness, cool nights, warm/hot days, and the natural fluvial dynamics of the place, that these conditions have been conspiring since 1412 (when the King grants a charter permitting the commercialization of the crop) to make arroz de Calasparra the best in Spain. Some Valencianos or Extremeños may take issue with this assessment, but in this nobody's opinion Calasparra rice is the "boutique" rice of Spain and thus must be sampled whilst cruising through the region. The point is that we are planning a pit stop along the way between Caravaca and Murcia to have some "paella" right there in its point of origin, ideally overlooking the some of the rice fields themselves. Looking forward to a great lunch (and maybe a short siesta) that day! Cheers.

11/02/2019

Here is a question: Is there any better way to know a new place than by bicycle? If you said "No!", then we agree! An incredible week of exploring among & between the beautiful and ancient towns in Spain's Costa Blanca region in the Alicante Province is in the works. The cycling will be fully supported by professional guides, and excellent meals a high priority, Each day is structured to allow sketching, painting, photography, videography or writing, however you want to capture, interpret and communicate your experience. Those interested in architecture, landscape, or urban studies will find this trip especially rich and rewarding. May 18-26, 2019: Details coming soon, including a detailed itinerary, hotel accommodations, pricing and more.

08/02/2019

Next stop Murcia. Once part of the Kingdom of Granada, domain of the Moors for 800 years, today Murcia's core is a dynamic environment boasting it's magnificent cathedral that took over 500 years to build, Raphael Moneo's iconic and once controversial city hall extension that lives in constant song with the cathedral herself, cuisine that fuses traditional coastal recipes with some of the sweetness of the Moor's, the Segura River running down its spine and of course great plazas, tapas and bars to sit at for hours taking it all in. Not a typical tourist stop for many Americans but worth it.

07/02/2019

DAY 1. Here we begin. Caravaca de la Cruz

01/02/2019

Well be close by at one point in the trip. May be worth a drive for a paella and a look at Calatrava's no-holds bar opus that made him both a hero and notorious right in his home town.
https://www.cac.es/en/palau-de-les-arts/Descubre-y-conoce-el-Palau-de-les-Arts/descubre-el-palau.html

After the inauguration of the Hemisfèric in 1998, the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum and the Umbracle in 2000, and the opening to the public of the Oceanográfico in 2003, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía completes the artistic facet of the Generalitat’s firm bid for culture in its broadest se...

30/01/2019

https://www.google.com/destination?q=murcia&rlz=1C1ASUT_enUS451US451&site=search&output=search&dest_mid=/m/0g83j&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMtdGjmpbgAhWI1uAKHbMoBtcQ6tEBKAQwAHoECAIQBw =/m/0g83j&tcfs=EhoaGAoKMjAxOS0wMi0xNRIKMjAxOS0wMi0xOQ

Murcian art is not limited to the city boundaries. Magnificent examples of baroque architecture can be found at the La Fuensanta Chapel or the Monastery of San Jerónimo, which is known as El Escorial Murciano, The Escorial of Murcia.