Live Love Ride have designed cycling excursions suited for everyone, whether you prefer to ride the roads or take on challenging terrain on your mountain bike.
(Taken from the January 2022 edition of the magazine – written by Staff Writer Beth Turner)
It is a blessing, to be reunited with families, to visit the sights and locations we love. But for many, with lockdown restrictions lifting, their sights are set on something else sorely missed. Travelling.
The world has spent so much of the last two years waiting,that many are eager to get back out there and see the world. But the question is, where to go? And where to start putting those plans together?
Luckily, we have an answer to both of those queries. Spain. And, more specifically, Live Love Ride – Spain Bike Tours. Spain is a beautiful country, with many stunning locations to discover. Whether it be the crystal clear waters and sandy shores of Mallorca, the food and wine along the cliff sides of Catalonia, or the stunning plains and mountains of Camino de Santiago, the country has something for everyone.
And for cyclists, Live Love Ride have designed cycling excursions suited for everyone, whether you prefer to ride the roads or take on challenging terrain on your mountain bike. So, no matter how you cycle, Spain is certain to have a bike tour for you. And Live Love Ride – Spain Bike Tours are here to guide you.
Take on the Roads of Mallorca
Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca is one of the world’s most renowned holiday destinations. For some, they are drawn to the thrilling nightlife, and for others, the chance to soak up the sun and bask in the southern hemisphere heat. So, it may come as a surprise for some that Mallorca is also a phenomenal holiday destination for cyclists.
Sporting a variety of terrains, the island is one championed by professional and amateur cyclists alike. The island terrain gives way to climbs, descents, hillsides, and coastal roads that give riders a chance to soak up the full beauty of the island.
This holiday is ideal for road bikers, with its many ascents, descents, and villages and towns to explore. Take a trip around the local towns to try locally sourced wine and freshly caught seafood, and experience the culture this island has to offer.
The holiday begins in the capital, Palma de Mallorca, where holidaymakers will get the chance to get themselves oriented and ready for the week ahead.
Day 2 will see a ride around the San Salvador Sanctuary, with the climb giving way to views of massive plains of land that stretch across the south and central parts of Mallorca.
Live Love Ride then has days 3-5 planned in and around the city of Pollença. Travelling towards the eastern coast, expect to see many local wine producers as the trip lands in this coastal town, before going out to explore what the rest of the area has to offer.
Visit the Port Pollenca village, Formentor Beach, or Calla San Vicenç, all while taking on a variety of climbs and downhill descents sure to thrill, and make the fresh and local food on offer all the more appetising after a tough ride. Your road bikes will certainly be of great help here, as you take on this fluctuating pathway.
Holidaymakers will also be given the opportunity to take on the Tramuntana Mountain Range; a picturesque ride alongside several small towns and villages, as well as some of the trip’s most challenging climbs.
The ride is a tricky one, but overcoming this challenge is a rewarding one, thanks to the seaside views, exhilarating descents, and a good night’s sleep in the town of Port de Soller.
This is where Day 6 finds itself, where Live Love Ride have organised a ride through the island’s northern terrain for the final ride. An exquisite downhill climb will find travellers back down at the coastline; a perfect excuse for a dip in those mesmerising waves or enjoy a bite to eat. Taking the loop back to Port Soller, holidaymakers will have the chance to get back to their hotel for the final night, and look back at a perfect Mallorcan adventure.
Catalonia and Girona
Another road biking adventure holiday provided by Live Love Ride is their trip to Catalonia and Girona; a seven day trek spanning from the climbs of the Pyrenees to the Spanish shoreline.
While known for its sumptuous wines and incredible food, this area is also known to be a haven for cyclists, being home to many pro cyclists due to the fantastically varied landscapes the area has to offer. Be it the flats of Empordá, or the steep climbs in the area’s natural parks, Catalonia and Girona have something to offer every road biker.
The trip is set to commence in Girona, with the chance for holidaymakers to test out their bikes and get adjusted to the area. Use this time as an opportunity to sample regional wines and local dishes, and get prepared for the adventure ahead.
The cycling begins in earnest on Day 2, where Live Love Bike have organised an expedition from Girona to San Feliu de Guíxols and S’Agoró. Ride through Girona city, climb the challenging Massis de Cadirets, and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Spanish bays, all from the comfort of your bike.
Day 3 will take holidaymakers inland, where there will be plenty of hills to test out your bikes. Explore historic locations and monuments, testaments to Spanish history, before heading south for the evening. With a rich history, these artefacts are bound to inspire, and make for a memorable moment.
Live Love Ride have set a challenge for Day 4, with their longest ride of the tour. The ride will take adventurers from Torrent to Cadaqués; starting and ending with steep climbs, in between scenic roads and lush farmland. Check out quaint local villages, or get up close with the farmyard animals, or bee-line to Cadaqués, where you can experience the wonders of the internationally famous Salvador Dali House Museum.
Get on those road bikes and ride from Cadaqués to Pau on Day 5. Seaside towns and stunning landscapes are to be expected on the route, where holidaymakers will pass Cap Creus and El Port de la Selva, and will get the chance to feast their eyes on the architecture of the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. It’s not every day you get to see a castle, after all.
On the final cycling day, Live Love Ride have organised a treat. This final leg of the tour rides from Pau to Figueres, highlighted by the spectacular views seen along the hilly landscape of Montjoi. These stunning scenes are sure to leave a lasting impression, and are sure to finish the holiday with a bang. Shorelines, monuments, and gorgeous greenery, all experienced from behind your handlebars? It sounds almost too good to be true.
Mountain Bike Through Camino de Santiago
Looking for something a little different? Well, fear not, because Live Love Ride also offers a range of mountain biking holidays, for those looking to take on more challenging terrain. One of these tours includes their ride through Camino de Santiago, over a thrilling eight day period.
The tour makes its start in León, taking on the colloquially named French Way as cyclists pass by awe-inspiring cathedrals and across ancient roads. The area is one dripping with history, with many heritage sights to be found in religious buildings and stunning architecture.
The first leg of the tour will take cyclists from León to Astorga, taking flat urban routes through the city before getting out onto the dirt paths. Get stunning views of Astorga from top of the Toribio Cross, and soak up the rich history of this famous Roman town.
History continues in Day 3, where the ride from Astorga to Ponferrada holds the tradition of carrying a stone throughout the pilgrimage, and leaving it there. Bizarre, yet so wrapped in history, it would be a shame not to participate in this ancient ritual.
From Ponferrada, take on the eclectic terrain en route to Las Herrerias. Mountain bikes will be a necessity here, as the tour takes the same route as those who ventured along the French Way, so many centuries ago.
On Day 5, ride along 49km to Sarria, where holidaymakers will encounter what might be their biggest challenge yet; O Cebreiro. With inclines as steep as 25%, you best bet the luck of your stone from Day 3 is on your side. Get down to Sarria and enjoy its rich culture, with beautiful architecture and artistic heritage.
A 75km distance, and 1795m of total climbing is waiting for those taking on the tour on Day 6, on the ride from Sarria to Arzúa. This trek consists of paths along dirt, road, and forests, making it the perfect opportunity to show off the capabilities of your mountain bike. Gravel? Not a problem. Flex your cycling muscles, and soak in the ambience of rural Spanish life.
On the final cycling day, Live Love Ride has chosen a path that will take holidaymakers through the forests, with chances to soak up the atmosphere in the quaint Spanish villages on route, one final time. The finale of the French Way is an ascension to O Monte do Gozo, giving way to breathtaking sights of the Santiago Cathedral. An epic journey polished off with an epic conclusion, in a mountain biking experience unlike any other.
With all these ways to ride through so many incredible Spanish landscapes, what are you waiting for? Check out biketoursspain.com, and find your dream Spanish getaway.
