Recently I have met several riders at Bar Parada in Montecorto who have called into the village for refreshments and to see where the Andalucian Cycling Experience is based. Whilst chatting to these riders, who have travelled to Andalucia from around the world to ride in this area after reading ‘Our Story’ on the ACE website, it struck me the importance of local knowledge. Most of the riders had planned their routes using popular online websites but have fallen foul of, let’s say, a little bit of insight to the area! Yes these are useful tools for planning rides in unfamiliar areas, however, they generally do not show if the roads are tarmac’d, dangerous to ride on, have unlit tunnels and generally suitable for bikes. We can all grab a map and start riding but to ride the absolute best routes an area has to offer and to make the most use of your precious time and holiday, nothing beats a bit of local knowledge and guidance! This is even more important if you are heading ‘off road’ to explore an area on your mountain bike.
Over the last 15 years of running the Andalucian Cycling Experience I have seen riders with sheets of A4 paper which have 4 lines drawn on them between as many villages with absolutely no indication of distance or elevation, with one group of leisure cyclists heading off up Puerto Las Palomas (a 12.5km Category 1 climb) telling me it was the flat route to Grazalema…..I wished them luck!! More recently riders are increasing navigating with the phones which often takes them on the most direct route to their destination on the busier main roads and therefore missing some stunning routes on the quieter B roads. Again little information is given on elevation. People have even told me tales of riding on the N340 on the coast, as their phone took them on that route, for those of you who don’t know the N340 is, in my opinion, hideous for cycling! I would not ride on there if you paid me too!!
Let’s face it, not everybody wants to be guided and I often hear that holidays are more of an adventure when self- guided/self planned and riders are not 100% sure of their destination or route. This can be true. However, they can also be dangerous, not so relaxing and the cause of many an argument when tired and not sure of where you are going and how much further it is to ride.
Our free time and holidays are precious to us all. Local knowledge and guidance from local cycling companies will ensure you see the best of your chosen area not only on the bike but with other local attractions and restaurants.
