A Bike Tour In Spain: Crossing Rivers On Christmas Eve

We never dreamed we’d be crossing water in our bare feet on Christmas Eve, but we were…

The day started normally enough, with a coffee at a local bar. This is an essential way to start the day if you are bike touring in Spain.

Coffee In Spain

Then it was off to the TransAndalus trail. We had high hopes of riding the back roads under bright blue, sunny skies. We forgot to count on the effects of the recent heavy rains. By the time we got to the newly created river, we’d bumped through too many mud puddles to turn back. Too much energy had been invested. Instead, we stripped off our socks and shoes and waded in…

Preparing to Wade

Friedel went first (there’s a video coming later of her screaming her way through the cold water). Then Andrew dipped his toes in…

TransAndalus Trail

The last time we had to do something similar was in Kyrgyzstan.

Fording Rivers in Kyrgyzstan

Back in Andalucia, the water seemed as cold as in Kyrgyzstan. We were grateful for a few small islands in the river that provided a refuge.

TransAndalus Trail

This wasn’t the last adventure we would have on the trail. We splashed through endless puddles and walked our bikes down plenty of rocky, washed out tracks.

Friedel walking her bike

Washed Out Tracks

A river runs through it

And eventually we emerged – several hours later, tired and dirty but feeling satisfied – onto a beautiful and normal road. We had covered about 10km in 3 hours but we didn’t mind. For us, bike touring is not about the distance but the fun you have along the way.

Normal road!!

What a great Christmas Eve.

Comments

  1. Peter Jordan
    27th December 2010 at 1:09 pm #

    Great pix! Wouldn’t have the same without crossing the rivers.

  2. Jessica
    27th December 2010 at 5:49 pm #

    Photojournalism at its best! Glad you two are making the best of the mud!

  3. Mr.ThanhBMT
    28th December 2010 at 7:29 am #

    i like it. thanks for share

  4. Sharon
    10th May 2014 at 7:46 pm #

    Hi! I loved reading about your adventures on the TransAndalus trail! Can you tell me how you got your information on it in English? I have been looking at it for 2 years now, and not all the provinces’ guidebooks are in English as far as I can see.
    Thank you!
    Sharon

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