Croatia in the spring! That could be amazing. I’d go sooner than later I think, and hope for good luck with the weather. Get there before the masses. It’ll never be like it was when we were there two years later though, during the Covid year. Trip of a lifetime, we had the place to ourselves: https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/zagreb2020/

Hey, you look like that too (BB10$^6)! I’m in the midst of research (aka copy what TA has done) for our next tour … spring 2025. These Croatian islands look spectacular! Thanks again, and in advance, for all your crumb trails.

Thank you for pointing this page out to me. I'm happy it's recent enough that you have included a map. I think we are just going to have to go round in circles once we get to southern France - it all looks like a must see area.

So funny! I opened up your post before seeing this photo, and recognized her immediately. Irrepressible is the word for her, alright.

What a small small world for cycle tourers! I'm researching (aka probably copying most of your tour) our next tour (thinking Croatian coast to Santander via Slovenia , Italian Alps and French Pyrenees) and I come across this post!
We stayed at Hotel Chic, hosted by the irrepressible Carmen too!

https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/gorges/day-66-sant-feliu-to-blanes/#47503_4n3n0cfropxmnsgbj864uaa9ges

Kirsten had an instant like too!

We're following along on your current tour too (just not commenting on much) and the Extremadura region looks fabulous. Another area that we were completely ignorant of.

Could be; I should have been brought up Catholic. In any case, we can really recommend Albenga, and Jophesa’s place. Say hi to her for us if you stop by.

Actually, with that hat and robe colour, I think he's a cardinal.

Unbelievable!! How on Earth did you find this?!

Mrs. Grumby, bleeped once more.

I'll go wash out my mouth with soap now.

I’d forgotten about this. I should have been watching out for you all along.

How lucky for you! What a wonderful time that must have been, that far back. Thanks for letting me know.

I had the luck to live in Puyloubier for 3 years back in the late 80’s. This loop was a staple for me then and reading this took me back 30 years...

Thanks

Definitely jealous, but more than anything inspired. There is more to getting older than wasting away in front of a television. Loving your journey and looking forward to reading about Taiwan and hoping to be reading about more perfect riding days ....

Thanks Scott - that's helpful!

Your tour of Andalucia looks wonderful! I did want to stay in Zuheros particularly after what you wrote but I couldn't find any accommodation. We have compromised with plans to spend a good chunk of the afternoon in Zuheros including a long late lunch that will tide us over and then head to a promising looking airbnb in Baena for the night.

We were in Malaga early December last year (not cycling) and it was very mild. I didn't know what to expect thinking it was more of an English package holiday resort but the old town is really lovely. Seeing that part of Spain very briefly (only 3 days) is what started the idea of the cycling trip there. And I know we'll be wanting more than the week we only have. I envy the thought of your 3 months!

We were planning to pick up our bikes in Seville and take a train to Granada to begin the tour. I looked up the trains yesterday and discovered only the AVE trains do that run which don't take bikes. I've ended up booking the Alsa bus which requires a box or bag for the bikes. They sell bags at the ticket office, but I might just look for some kind of rain cover on Amazon. I think the main concern is dirty marks damaging suitcases.

Touring NZ next winter! Fabulous! I don't know if you've decided when but the best month would be March and a month either side of that. The weather is still too unpredictable and wet in December as you discovered last time! Our summers have been starting later and and going for much longer.

We don’t keep track of expenses as well as we should, but I’d estimate that we spend about $200 eu/day on average, not including airfare. It varies greatly with country and season of course.

Yes, we’re well along in planning the route for this fall’s tour. I’ve got daily rides mapped for the entire three months, which we’ll follow unless something comes up to change our plans along the way, as of course it will. I imagine we’ll stay pretty close to it though.

Here’s a sketch of our route through Andalucia, although it isn’t accurate for the specific roads: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30583642.
I created it for you, and just connected the towns we’ll go through along the way so I’m sure it shows us following many more highways than we actually will.

One comment about your own plan, and Baena: I’d forgotten about Zuheros until I put up the journal of our first tour recently. Baena is nice, but nearby Zuheros is spectacular - and almost right on the via verde that skirts the western side of the Subbetica. We plan on staying in Zuheros this fall.

We may be picking your brain for ideas too, FYI. It’s looking like we’re coming back to NZ next winter, for the first time in almost 3 years.

Hi Scott, so this is where I've got to on this journal. Taking a bit longer than usual, but a lovely way to live vicariously while I'm sipping my morning coffee in cold and wet NZ winter! What an epic journey this is.

The list of places I would love to cycle to is getting longer and longer with each of your journals. My husband must be getting sick of me shoving my ipad with your photos under his nose constantly.

If you were willing to share the information, I would love to know what your daily average euro spend would have been on this tour. It would be great to figure out for our own planning. Our style of touring would be similar to yours with Airbnb's, B&B's, having one decent meal a day etc.

How is the mapping going for Andalucia? Would be great to have a look when you've finished. I changed our route from Baena to Cordoba after reading your entry. It sounded more interesting going through the parque sierra subbeticas via Cabra rather than over the top which was the way Komoot was taking us. So far I'm trusting Komoot to be picking out the best roads for bike touring, but won't know if this is the case until tested! This app is specifically for cycling and walking.

Another question I have is how safe it is to be locking up bikes when leaving them temporarily. Is there much in the way of bike theft? Do you use a very heavy duty bike lock?