Guided winter road bike trips Andalucia or wherever?

[ErikGustav2]

"It is five days of intense cornering on narrow cliff or mountain roads in fantastic scenery run by a great bunch of people.
It is not the place for cruising rides - there is very little time to relax but the rewards are terrific.

If I have a ‘gripe’, there is no time for sightseeing and, for me as a a 70 year old duffer, I could have done with things being at a slightly slower pace occasionally but, that said, I coped by being tail end Charlie so, if I wasn’t feeling on full form, I could just hang back a tad. That wouldn’t put me off going again if I was so inclined."


I like this view.
Ii is the same for all riding.
A) Are you a traveler? That wants to explore things. Stop and watch. Take photos or
B) Are you only interested in riding fast and enjoy the ride. And see nothing but tarmac.

I have seen groups mixed with these type of riders. It does no work out well.
And people that are explorer are pressed to just ride fast and have no time to see anything.

Groups have been broken up. People stay away from some leaders/trips that don´t give them what they want.
I have seen these issue here in reality.

Group riding only works if you are a small group with the same kind of interest.

So my advice would be to ride solo. Or check in advance what type of tour that is.

=
I have been on a wonderful tour in Nepal. With a local guide. It was to weeks where he showed us the country. Told us about the history, culture, religions..... And toke us behind tourist traps.

https://www.asiabiketours.com/en/tours/magic-mountains

Another company with another leader from India: He was only acting as road captain, riding from hotel to hotel.

Friends have used the same company as we had in Nepal. For a Vietnam tour. With similar excellent experience.
A tour that is on my wish list.

https://www.asiabiketours.com/en/tours/hills-and-tribes

"
But this journey is about more than just riding. It's about connection – with the land, the people and the culture. You’ll stay in traditional homestays, enjoy locally prepared meals, share stories with villagers, relax in peaceful lodges, and even float down a bamboo raft along the Chinese border.
"

But in general., I ride solo. Planning the trip. Finding places to visit. Roads to ride. Is almost half the pleasure.
And when you get there. And when I get in contact with local people. (At hotels/camping/restaurants...) I always get tips of interesting things to explore.

But I am explorer. Not Road racer. When travelling
Racing twisty roads, I can do that close to home.
(I had once a GSX-R 1100 for that, But know I take a slow bike with my own coffee and ride out in the nature. Maybe it i the age ? Or the time. With a full time work, family and.... riding was limited to riding to and from work and a short tour an Saturdays. No time for travelling )

[DavidS]

Spot on Erik.

Now I’ve been (temporarily maybe) forced onto the Triumph Scrambler 400x, and finding I’m loving it, I have reassessed my thoughts for future riding.

Definitely now considering hiring a van and setting up a base to have a few days solo riding without dragging all my gear around. I am on the south east coast, below London, so any ride involves the first couple of hours on awful roads so there is no incentive there.
That would work in the UK and northern France - otherwise fly and hire would do fine.

I need to get my blood pressure sorted out first, which will hopefully counteract my lack of strength and getting tired easily. I even struggled to get my Tiger 900 up off the prop stand!

I still want to SEE the world, not let it flash by. I’ve never been a fast rider but I do like the occasional spirited bit.

[ErikGustav2]

Comment on the original question.

I would not recommend Andalusia in winter time.
It is not that far south that you might expect.
And some mountains.

https://en.climate-data.org/europe/spai ... ordoba-121

But tastes are different.

Recommended is

April-May
or
Sept-Oct (Nov)

Picture from a book:

Andalusien Road Book LR.jpg (77.64 KiB) Viewed 775 times

My plan based on that

Andalusien rutt inkl campingplatser.jpg (93.38 KiB) Viewed 775 times

I don´t know about organized tours in this area


E for the cost for the flight ticket.

Colombia is my favorite

https://www.colombiamotoadventures.com/ ... ycle-tours

Or South India

https://www.asiabiketours.com/en/tours/the-south