In the Saddle and on the Hills

It was a restless night for Donna and I, while Ken slept soundly. That did not bode well for being on a bike all day, but there is always the van! We packed up from our apartment, called the cab and headed over for breakfast at the hotel where the Backroads group was meeting at 9am. Unfortunately, the trend towards everything starting later in Spain, continued to breakfast as the restaurant didn’t open until 8am and it was 715am. So, we hung, doing the blog, reading news and killing time until it opened.

After a traditional breakfast of coffee, bread and more pinxto’s

(tapas), we were ready to meet our fellow bike riders for the week. We found there are 13 of us, from Austin, Santa Fe, Philly and Tampa. Max, one of our leaders (one from Seattle!) rounded us and our luggage up to board the mini-bus for the 1.5 hour trip to our starting point. On the way, he gave us our itinerary for the day, safety suggestions and answered questions about the week ahead.

After driving over some pretty steep hills, winding roads and through small villages we arrived out our biking starting point. Our other tour leaders, Tim (London) and Christian (Spain) had our bikes all set up and ready for the day’s ride. We had our first Route Rap, which gives us all the info for the day, including elevations, van pick-up points and any turns that may be not obvious. Then it was time to ride, with one small issue…it was now raining! Nevertheless, we didn’t let a little water stop the group and off we went.

The first part of the 24k of the ride was quite easy with more gradual downhills and flat terrain’s than hills, so a good way to get warmed up. Ken, Donna and I have eBikes, which make going up the steep hills a bit less challenging and for me, the downhills not as scary. For those that think these are “cheater bikes”, please! To get any help you HAVE to pedal and it doesn’t do it for you…but it allows us to get up the steep climbs that I would either take a boost or walk. I am generally petrified of steep downhills and it will help slow down the bike, which allows me to really enjoy the ride.

Donna and I brought up the rear, which was just fine as we were not in a race! We pedaled through amazing scenery, with babbling brooks, little waterfalls, trees and farmhouses scattered along the way. About 7k from our stopping point for lunch, the van was stopped and ready to take anyone that didn’t want the last leg, which was a

long climb to the stopping point. Donna climbed in, but I figured, let’s see what these bikes can do! And up I went. There are 4 power levels and I was in 2 and 3 for most of it, but tried out 4 for a little and that was pretty awesome. I was still huffing by the time I got to the top, but I made it!

Max and Tim, our leaders had put out a great spread of fresh salads, local potato omelette’s (like quiche) and small sandwiches, all under the entryway of an ancient church in a small village. The next 25k contained a significant downhill into the Riojas region, the similar to the Tuscan rollers we had in Tuscany…we have Rioja rollers, which is some pretty good uphills with equally good downhills for the remaining miles. There were beautiful vineyards in every direction. Donna was keeping up, but stopping for pictures so was a bit behind. Max stayed back with her until I stopped to wait for them to catch up, then her and I took it on home to our stop for the night, the amazing

Hotel Marquis de Riscal.

On the winding small road coming into the village the hotel appeared like an enormous steel flower in the valley. This has been one of my goals to visit this hotel and the bonus was that it was on this trip! It is built by Frank Gehry, who also did the Guggenheim, so lots of angles and curves. We checked in and found Donna had a beautiful suite in the main building, where Ken and I had a “normal” room (which was still beautiful).

After almost 50k of biking it was time for down time, before the 645 meeting for our winery tour and dinner at the 1 Michelin star restaurant. Our group showed up, showered and looking very different in nice clothes compared to our biking attire from earlier. We learned about the 200 year old winery, and even though we have been on tour around the world…some really new stuff, which was

fun. Then of course the tasting, which was held on a patio overlooking the little village and the vineyard with two incredible wines.
Then on to dinner, at the very nice restaurant hosted by Frederico Paniego, famed Spanish chef, which was 6 courses of wonderful, light and interesting food. We enjoyed our tablemates, the food and incredible location before heading to bed and ending a great day.