REMOTE SPAIN 2025: an epic 1100k, two week ride from Santander in the north to Seville in the south, 24 April - 7 May 2025
FULLY BOOKED
A ride designed to bring out the best of remote Spain, offering a heady mix of small roads, lonely villages and spectacular old cities
Starting in Santander, this self-supported ride follows quiet country roads up and over the Picos, then across the plains and the hills of north and western Spain (with bird life second to none at this time of year), to pass through and stay in the great medieval cities of Burgos, Tordesillas, Salamanca and Trujillo, finishing in mighty Seville. Daily distances average around 56 miles/90k, with only one day at 70 miles/112k, and so will suit almost all reasonably fit club riders who are looking for a exciting but sociable challenge. With all meals included (breakfast, picnic lunches and dinner) and using a mixture of small hotels in the country and bigger ones in the cities, and led throughout by an experienced guide, this will be a real adventure for the maximum of 10 riders. More details and prices are in the section below.
Details of Remote Spain 2025
Getting to Santander: The ride dovetails with the ferry from Plymouth, departing Plymouth 1545 Wednesday 23 April arriving Santander 1300 Thursday 24 April. However, flying to Santander (via Madrid) is straightforward, or even directly to Bilbao and then either taking your already air-packaged bike on the regular 90 minute bus or even cycling the admittedly hilly 62m/100k from Bilbao to Santander. I am always ready to advise on any of these options.
Thursday 24 April: depart Santander pm (immediately on disembarking the ferry, meeting those not on the ferry at the main station at 1400) for a gentle 40k SE to small village of Lierganes.
Friday 25 April: 47m/75k across Picos to Soncillo; a long steady climb but a short overall mileage.
Saturday 26 April: 62m/100k to the medieval city of Burgos.
Sunday 27 April: 63m/101k across the rolling wheat fields to the charming town of Palencia
Monday 28 April: 58m/94k to the walled city of Tordesillas, via lovely Ampudia
Tuesday 29 April: 57m/92k to spectacular Salamanca, arriving mid-afternoon to enjoy the golden city.
Wednesday 30 April: 62m/99k into the hills at the hamlet of Las Mestas, via the hill town of La Alberca.
Thursday 1 May: 61m/98k up and down cherry growing hills to the city of Plasencia.
Friday 2 May: 56m/90k through the Parque Natural de Montrague to the medieval town of Trujillo.
Saturday 3 May: 68m/110k (mostly flat!) via the Roman city of Merida to the modern town of Almendralejo.
Sunday 4 May: 56m/90k with some steep hills to the hamlet of Fuentes de Leon.
Monday 5 May: 62m/100k up and down glorious country to the sleepy town of Castilblanco
Tuesday 6 May: 25m/40k easy run into Seville, staying right in the old centre, with lots of time before …
Wednesday 7 May: … return to UK
Options for return:
Fly from Seville, currently 6 direct flights to London listed for 7 May.
All you will need is a bike bag, carried with you, weight under one kilo and sits in the bottom of the pannier
(shown, two bikes ready to go home from Seville earlier this year). Alternatively, Decathlon in Seville do offer cardboard bike boxes for 15-20 euros. Seville airport is very good at handling bikes and we had no problems. The cheapest and fastest option!
2. Train. This is possible but it isn’t easy, due to Spanish, French and Eurostar restrictions, and it will require a bike bag and some dismantling (pedals, wheels, handlebars). I have researched most routes and am ready to advise.
3. Van and ferry. If demand is sufficient, we will one-way hire a van for the bikes and a car for the passengers, and drive to Santander (a little over 500 miles, so about 10 hours). This will connect well with the Santander-Plymouth ferry departing 1600 Thursday 8 May, arriving in Plymouth 1115 the next day. This option will appeal to those with electric bikes but also to anyone who prefers not to fly.
Prices:
£1899 per person, sharing accommodation £2349 per person, single accommodation
Prices include: all bed and breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners, and a tour leader throughout
The only things you have to pay for in addition are booze, drinks in cafes, and travel to and from Spain.
