Andalucian Cycling Experience - Biking holidays in Andalucia southern Spain. Road Cycling holidays, Mountain Bike Biking holidays, Leisure Cycling holidays , Triathlon & Winter Training Camps , Family Cycling Holidays a White Village Tour or Winter Cycling holidays. guided cycling vacations and self-led tours, short breaks, weekend trips, fortnights and more
El-Andaluz House Rentals and Sales
Self catering Watermill and village houses in the white village of Grazalema, at the heart of the Parque Natural "Sierra de Grazalema". Stunning country side. Selected houses also for sale
Friday 6th March 2009, I lept out of bed and opened the shutters on the bedroom windows to another beautiful blue-sky day in Andalucia, sunlight filled the room and I was bursting at the seams with energy. It was the last day of another Winter Training Camp which only means one thing 'It's Time Trail Day on Las Palomas'. ''Today is the day for a Personal Best'' I declare and Claire gave me that same old knowing smile and replied ''OK honey.'' Apparently I say this most Friday mornings, but today was different, I just knew that I would break my old time of 47mins 41sec, a time which had stood for just over a year now. For the last few weeks on the bike I had been flying and without too much effort either, I had lost a few kilos in weight, so there was less of me to drag up the 12.4km climb too.
So, at 10am I left Montecorto with Sherrie, Murray, Dave, Mary and Crystal (from BC Canada) in tow and we headed towards Zahara de la Sierra, where the climbing would begin. Over the 16 kilometres to Zahara we became a little fragmented, so at the foot of the climb I waited for everyone to pass, one by one they set off to the summit. I then took a few minutes to prepare myself, a bite of the energy bar, swig of drink, helmet on, stop watch started and off I went.
I started to climb at a steady pace and slowly increased the intensity until my breathing was ever so slightly laboured but I was still able to talk. One by one I caught and passed the Canadians, giving a cheeky wave as I said 'Adios' (Goodbye) to them and back to the task in hand. My time felt good, I had settled into a good strong rhythm, the kilometre markers were coming and going on a regular basis and very quickly I began the count down to the summit. With 4.4km to go I was almost 3 minutes up on my previous best time. Had I gone too quick too early? I had 18 minutes to beat my PB, 18 minutes of ever increasing pain to endure. My breathing became erratic, the kilometre markers seemed to take longer to appear and the legs started to feel like lead weights. With 500 metres to go, I knocked the bike up a few gears, got out of the saddle and pedalled as hard as I could with every last ounce of energy left in me. The bike felt like someone had grabbed hold of the seat post and was dragging it backwards. As I reached the summit with sweat dripping down my face, my lungs burning and my legs screaming for me to stop, I stopped the clock.
Had I done it? Would all the effort and pain be worth it?
The time on the watch read 46.42 I had smashed my old Personal Best by a massive 59 seconds. What a glorious day to be on the bike!
Restaurant Al Lago, Zahara de la Sierra
A stunning setting with lake views from the terrace in which to enjoy a leisurely lunch, dinner or innovative tapas. Chef Stefan Crites, who trained in New York for many years, re-interprets some of Spain’s culinary classics with a creative and exotic touch using local organic vegetables, top quality meat and fresh fish from the markets in Cadiz.
Cortijo Valverde
Beautiful hotel with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside providing that special vacation destination for either a restful holiday, or a base from which to explore the many treasures that Andalucia and Inland Spain has to offer.
Villa Turistica Grazalema
This hotel is located 500 metres from the charming village of Grazalema, a place characterised by its whitewashed façades, its narrow and windy streets and set in the centre of the natural park
Hotel Fuerte Grazalema
Situated in the heart of the sierra de Grazalema natural park, Hotel Fuerte Grazalema is a paradise for outdoor walking enthusiasts and is set in oak woodlands 5 kilometres from the village of Grazalema. It makes an excellent base from which to discover this stunning part of western Andalucia
Las Truchas
Las Truchas is a small hotel with a home from home atmosphere, located in the quaint town of El Bosque. Explore the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and the White Towns Route (Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos) that are situated within easy reaching distance of this hotel. You can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding landscape from the hotel rooms.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking 
Friday 6th March 2009, I lept out of bed and opened the shutters on the bedroom windows to another beautiful blue-sky day in Andalucia, sunlight filled the room and I was bursting at the seams with energy. It was the last day of another 
I started to climb at a steady pace and slowly increased the intensity until my breathing was ever so slightly laboured but I was still able to talk. One by one I caught and passed the Canadians, giving a cheeky wave as I said 'Adios' (Goodbye) to them and back to the task in hand. My time felt good, I had settled into a good strong rhythm, the kilometre markers were coming and going on a regular basis and very quickly I began the count down to the summit. With 4.4km to go I was almost 3 minutes up on my previous best time. Had I gone too quick too early? I had 18 minutes to beat my PB, 18 minutes of ever increasing pain to endure. My breathing became erratic, the kilometre markers seemed to take longer to appear and the legs started to feel like lead weights. With 500 metres to go, I knocked the bike up a few gears, got out of the saddle and pedalled as hard as I could with every last ounce of energy left in me. The bike felt like someone had grabbed hold of the seat post and was dragging it backwards. As I reached the summit with sweat dripping down my face, my lungs burning and my legs screaming for me to stop, I stopped the clock.
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