Conquering rural Spain: A Bikepacking Adventure from Madrid to Valencia
April 28th, 2017
The inaugural test ride of my new bikepacking setup is underway! With bags quite different from traditional panniers, and a superlight sleeping bag and mat (comfort rated to -5°C), I set off towards my destination: Valencia… and the sea!
The route proved to be more off-road than anticipated, but the scenery was simply breathtaking. I encountered hares, storks, and even imperial eagles (some feasting on a hare!). Riding solo along the Manzanares River on expansive singletracks was a truly special experience.
Initial thoughts on bikepacking? I was skeptical, to say the least. However, I managed to pack a surprising amount (two pairs of jeans, sweatshirts, t-shirts, summer and winter gear, toiletries, and more). The only thing missing was a stove, but there’s ample space in the frame bag.
The real revelation? The ride itself. The lack of side bulk is a game-changer. Wind doesn’t turn you into a parachute, and on rough terrain, you hardly notice the load. Loading and unloading the bags is a breeze, and the bike feels incredibly light. I’m starting to believe in the practicality of bikepacking. Sure, you sacrifice a few things, but the gains in maneuverability and fun are immense.
Plus, cycling in a European country (where I speak the language!) has its perks. Let’s not forget the incredible food a cyclist craves! Tomorrow’s forecast predicts bad weather, but I hope to avoid it and make a long push of 170km to Alarcon. Fingers crossed!
April 29th, 2017
Lluvia mucho, but I can’t stop. Onwards to Valencia!
April 30th, 2017
163 km today! After yesterday’s rain and cold forced me to stop in Tarancon, I was determined to get back on schedule (the optimistic one, aiming to reach Valencia tonight). Today’s ride had it all: clouds, a nasty side wind, bitter cold, and endless rolling hills (for all 163 km!).
After 3 pm, the sun finally appeared, and I shifted into high gear, averaging 37-38 km/h. Despite everything, I maintained an overall average of 20 km/h. Tonight, I’m resting in a fantastic hostel, sprawled on the sofa with the washing machine cleaning my cycling clothes, all for a comfortable 30 euros.
#SameInItaly…
May 1st, 2017
Valencia!
Today, around 3 pm, three days after my departure, I reached my destination. The 126 km ride brought my total to 397 km, with an average of 132 km per day, despite off-road sections, steep climbs, rain, and muddy trails.
The bikepacking experiment was a resounding success, and I’ve developed a newfound appreciation for 29″ mountain bikes – they’re like tanks! A beautiful spring day accompanied me through nature, vineyards, olive groves, and the intense scent of orange blossoms around Valencia.
There are days when traveling by bicycle rewards you for all the effort, hunger, tendon pain, and the sunburnt nose. Today was one of those days. All thanks to the bicycle, a versatile machine that allows you to dare, travel hundreds of kilometers, or silently venture into nature, experiencing emotions like observing imperial eagles as a respectful and non-intrusive spectator.
And the motorcyclists? Speechless!
