|
Click
map to enlarge |
|
The
South side of the range has its own micro-climate in which
oranges, palms, cherries and many others grow happily. |
|
In
Arenas...the Castle of the Sad Countess’... |
|
Vuelta
a Espana
This
area is also popular with Vuelta a España (the Tour of Spain)
which often passes through, incorporating favourite climbs
such as the mountain pass at Puerto del Pico. |
 |
The
postmans life made easy! |
 |
A
quaint shop front |
|
|
The Sierra de Gredos - Central Spain |
The
Sierra De Gredos is a mountain range which can be
found
just to the West of Madrid in the heartland of Spain.
It
is about as far away from the overcrowded beaches as its
possible to get and is rarely frequented by tourists, though
when you visit you’ll really wonder why.
|
 |
 |
The
terrain offers some fantastic biking (and hiking, horse riding
etc) terrain and has an overwhelming amount of flora and fauna
to see all within an area of outstanding natural beauty. |
| The
mountains form part of the Systema Central, a ridge of mountains
which provide a natural barrier to separate the former kingdoms
of Old and New Castile. The highest peak - Almanzor - reaches
2592m and there are many other peaks of similar height. These
granite mountains are high enough to have snow covered peaks
for much of the year, which also means the clear mountain streams
rarely stop flowing to drain the snow melt from above. |
| Below
the peaks, the slopes are lined with pine forests and dotted
with tiny Spanish villages. A network of fire tracks and ancient
paths used as trading routes or cattle paths provide some excellent
and interesting biking terrain. |
| History |
Its
fitting that the provincial areas to the North and South were
named with reference to castles as you wont have to travel very
far to find one. In Arenas, the main town that acts as a kind
of ‘gateway to the hills’ you’ll see the ‘Castillo
de la Triste Condesa’ (the castle of the sad countess).
The Roman presence can also easily be seen in this area, most
notably with an ancient Roman road which winds its way through
the pass in the mountains at Peurto Del Pico and is currently
benefiting from a reconstruction program. |
| Culture |
| This
is an area of typical provincial mountain villages and English
is rarely spoken. Many of the locals still enjoy a slow pace
of life working on fruit plantations on the hillsides. Cherries
and almonds are the most commonly found.
The higher areas are protected
National park areas, but cycling is still permitted on the
existing paths.
|
| Climate
>>
click here for current weather << |
| Central
Spain has a reputation for being fiercely hot during peak summer,
however in the mountains this is much less severe. There are
2 very different sides to the Sierra de Gredos, the North, a
high hanging valley with an altitude of around 1600m offers
some cool breezes higher up and a humidity less than 30%, while
the South side reaches close to sea level during the summer
it experiences much higher humidity due to the Atlantic winds
and hence is much less bearable.
During
the cooler months the Northern side will experience snow and
very cold winds, while the Southern side will remain much
more mild in its own micro-climate, sheltered from the winds
above. This makes it possible to enjoy mountain biking almost
all year round.
Conditions
underfoot (or tyre!) are generally dry with very few wet or
boggy areas.
|
| Accommodation |
| We
use a selection of local villas, depending on the group size
and individual requirements. Facilities will always include
twin or double rooms, laundry facilities, secure bike storage,
tv, etc. Communal living and dining rooms, and a BBQ area. >>more<< |
|
