"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).
- Thread starter jumartoo
- Start date
OP
OP
The new bike is great. Slightly shorter in front than the YT so I can do the corners easier.
The YT is full suspension so I was used to that anyway. We were going to go back to front suspension only because of the type of riding we want to do now and in the future. I'm happy to have full suspension though
I've switched back to riding hardtail, as riding full suspension on what we like to do now is a bit overkill....our YT Decoys which our neighbours have bought are still available for us to ride, this was part of the deal, providing I maintain them....cannot ask for more than that....The new bike is great. Slightly shorter in front than the YT so I can do the corners easier.
The YT is full suspension so I was used to that anyway. We were going to go back to front suspension only because of the type of riding we want to do now and in the future. I'm happy to have full suspension though
OP
OP
We had another lovely ride today. Lots more green fields, newly leafed trees, and different wildflowers.
Martin met, and made friends with, two lovely dogs today!
We rode into the Tablas de Daimiel. We think we MAY have been in part illegally but, if we were, we got away with it. We were following the posted route. The actual Tablas area was disappointing. We visited maybe 15 years ago and we were welcome to stay at the visitor centre parking. Now it's all NO OVERNIGHT MOTORHOME PARKING signs and no entry here, there and everywhere, except their marked routes. What a shame, and what a problem too many visitors cause.
We did see many different birds today. Storks, bee eaters, spotted cuckoos, a marsh harrier, a roller and many other high flying big birds and secretive little birds. We could see them but not enough to recognise them.
Our accommodation here in Daimiel is so different to yesterday. An old hotel, rather than a new built private house. The entrance in is interesting!
We had beers and a Plata combinado for lunch. Martin had pork, eggs, chips and salad and I had swordfish, calamares and chips. Both were sufficiently filling.
Martin met, and made friends with, two lovely dogs today!
We rode into the Tablas de Daimiel. We think we MAY have been in part illegally but, if we were, we got away with it. We were following the posted route. The actual Tablas area was disappointing. We visited maybe 15 years ago and we were welcome to stay at the visitor centre parking. Now it's all NO OVERNIGHT MOTORHOME PARKING signs and no entry here, there and everywhere, except their marked routes. What a shame, and what a problem too many visitors cause.
We did see many different birds today. Storks, bee eaters, spotted cuckoos, a marsh harrier, a roller and many other high flying big birds and secretive little birds. We could see them but not enough to recognise them.
Our accommodation here in Daimiel is so different to yesterday. An old hotel, rather than a new built private house. The entrance in is interesting!
We had beers and a Plata combinado for lunch. Martin had pork, eggs, chips and salad and I had swordfish, calamares and chips. Both were sufficiently filling.
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Mikey RV
LIFE MEMBER
That looks fantastic and seeing all the birds etc. Nice one. 
OP
OP
The 9th photo with the red wooden structure is at Puerto Lapice. We rode past, and checked out the pay motorhome area. It seems to be open, if you use the machine, and not "closed, closed, closed" like one P4N reviewer said.
There is another area at the same town. A free, municipal one. Why this new one (paying) has opened as well is a mystery.
There is another area at the same town. A free, municipal one. Why this new one (paying) has opened as well is a mystery.
Day three awaits us...has good night's sleep...now got to recover our bikes from hotel garage, load up and go and find breakfast...
Needed to change route as there is limited suitable accommodation on original....so it's off down to Valdapenas...,
Bailed out bikes out....10€ to store overnight....travelling by bike sometimes comes at a cost..
City 3 star hotels don't know how to treat us two wheeled visitors...just as well we weren't muddy and wet...off to something more basic for tonight....3star hostel with breakfast...55€ will dine at lunchtime there also...
Needed to change route as there is limited suitable accommodation on original....so it's off down to Valdapenas...,
Bailed out bikes out....10€ to store overnight....travelling by bike sometimes comes at a cost..
City 3 star hotels don't know how to treat us two wheeled visitors...just as well we weren't muddy and wet...off to something more basic for tonight....3star hostel with breakfast...55€ will dine at lunchtime there also...
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OP
OP
Just having a very nice breakfast (my usual of tostada con tomate) and coffee, before getting back in the saddle.
Today's replanned route takes us near a volcano. I don't know if we'll see it though. I'll definitely take a photo if we do.
Today's replanned route takes us near a volcano
. I don't know if we'll see it though. I'll definitely take a photo if we do.
Mr porky
LIFE MEMBER
Such a great way to use up yesterday's bread if it isn't too solid especially when spain has such delicious tomatoes.Just having a very nice breakfast (my usual of tostada con tomate) and coffee, before getting back in the saddle.
Today's replanned route takes us near a volcano
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OP
OP
but you do it rubbed or sliced in the bread?
Grated tomato. Easy to do.
At home I top it with a poached egg OR tuna.
OP
OP
Today's hastily cobbled together route turned out to be very nice. We had one bit where the GPS wanted us to turn left thorough private land. We ignored it and continued straight on.
We then took a Camino which, for most part was wide and easy to ride. Another left turn took us onto smaller tracks, but marked with the GR red and white paint marks (long distance route) gave us confidence to ride it.
We then crossed the motorway and, after 1km turned right to ride on a Camino rural all the way into Valdapeñas. Running parallel to the motorway, but we were in a different world.
Our accommodation is good and the bikes are in the room with us!
We've lunched here, along with lots of others. Is Wednesday a special day here?
Tomorrow we'll be back at the van on another of our own planned routes. Checking out some more motorhome parking on the way.
The church at Daimiel next to our breakfast stop.
And then on the ride.
Not an "orange seller's" place. No-one around here.
We then took a Camino which, for most part was wide and easy to ride. Another left turn took us onto smaller tracks, but marked with the GR red and white paint marks (long distance route) gave us confidence to ride it.
We then crossed the motorway and, after 1km turned right to ride on a Camino rural all the way into Valdapeñas. Running parallel to the motorway, but we were in a different world.
Our accommodation is good and the bikes are in the room with us!
We've lunched here, along with lots of others. Is Wednesday a special day here?
Tomorrow we'll be back at the van on another of our own planned routes. Checking out some more motorhome parking on the way.
The church at Daimiel next to our breakfast stop.
And then on the ride.
Not an "orange seller's" place. No-one around here.
It’s looking very green… is that a result of the recent rain…?
OP
OP
I think so. Even before Easter they had more rain here. It's beautiful and so different to home in Murcia that didn't get the rain.
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Yes, it is, indeed, today in the news:
"The latest rains fill lagoons in Doñana and give a respite to the Tablas de Daimiel" (both, natural parks in critical situation).
https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-am...-dan-un-respiro-a-las-tablas-de-daimiel.html#
Last day...a chosen route back to the van, no time schedule as we shall not be required to complete any booking in..dining times etc...just a leisurely 60km with adequate stops for refreshments...
Had a good overnight here...once again quiet...and at 55€ for a twin room with breakfast it was a good deal....must say if the beds were a little less wide and we hadn't got our bike in with us, we might have had a little more space...
Had a good overnight here...once again quiet...and at 55€ for a twin room with breakfast it was a good deal....must say if the beds were a little less wide and we hadn't got our bike in with us, we might have had a little more space...
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Done, complete, great last day...now back at Camperstop with cold beer and a sit down...or a stand up....van secure...no problem...6€ per night....having day off tomorrow with a visit to launderette....then who knows...
OP
OP
Martin's given the facts. I'll now fill in with some photos.
For us, and I'll accept that not many others will agree, we've had four great days.
Today, as an alternative, turned out to be the nicest riding. We went to visit the village where we wanted to stay last night. It would have been a great stop, but possibly cost us double what we paid. No matter the cost, the situation was great.
However .... it wasn't to be, but from there onwards, back to here, we possibly did the nicest 10 kilometres of riding we've ever done. The time of year, with the flowers, must have helped.
We rode through another, possible volcanic area. The stony ground made us think that.
We arrived back at our lonely van. Untouched, and we eventually gained access from one of our pieces of paper
. Hopefully we'll get out tomorrow morning, to have a day off riding, but do some well needed laundry.
We're not thinking of leaving this area imminently, so there may well be more posts from DQ country.
Our accommodation, that wasn't!
The hillside, and the stony ground that made us think it was a volcanic area.
And, in memory of Anthea M
For us, and I'll accept that not many others will agree, we've had four great days.
Today, as an alternative, turned out to be the nicest riding. We went to visit the village where we wanted to stay last night. It would have been a great stop, but possibly cost us double what we paid. No matter the cost, the situation was great.
However .... it wasn't to be, but from there onwards, back to here, we possibly did the nicest 10 kilometres of riding we've ever done. The time of year, with the flowers, must have helped.
We rode through another, possible volcanic area. The stony ground made us think that.
We arrived back at our lonely van. Untouched, and we eventually gained access from one of our pieces of paper
. Hopefully we'll get out tomorrow morning, to have a day off riding, but do some well needed laundry.We're not thinking of leaving this area imminently, so there may well be more posts from DQ country.
Our accommodation, that wasn't!
The hillside, and the stony ground that made us think it was a volcanic area.
And, in memory of Anthea M
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OP
OP
I know where I'd rather be 
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OP
OP
OMG who's that. Not hiding under a helmet and sunglasses. Not me, surely
We're back at Puerto Lápice to have a look around. We first went to the free area and used the services, but then we decided that we'd rather pay on the "other" place that we'd seen on our ride.
So we're here now. Atm alone, although two places were reserved when we booked in.
Check out the figure in the doorway!
Riverbankannie
LIFE MEMBER
Thank you for mentioning Sabiote in a previous post here. We are here now on the new camperstop a bit further around the castle walls from the car park, with nice level pitches, new large clean toilets and showers, MH service point all for 7 euros, 10 if you want EHU. Wonderful breeze and view from rear doors of miles of olives and distant sierras and hilltop villages.
OP
OP
Did I? Oh yes I remember it well. It was very wet and the nice guy brought us a mat for outside the door.
Glad you like it. It's nice to get feedback.
OP
OP
We've been for a stroll around Puerto Lápice. It's a tiny town, and a bit touristy, all based on .... Don Quijote. It's very pleasant though.
Martin had to put his climbing experience into play when we got back. The touch pad for the pedestrian gate was refusing to work. He scaled the gate and opened it from the inside. He could do that, most other people couldn't (even me nowadays, I think). We COULD have called the help number but ..... why would you
Martin had to put his climbing experience into play when we got back. The touch pad for the pedestrian gate was refusing to work. He scaled the gate and opened it from the inside. He could do that, most other people couldn't (even me nowadays, I think). We COULD have called the help number but ..... why would you
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That área looks great. It even has a fire extinguisherOMG who's that. Not hiding under a helmet and sunglasses. Not me, surely
We're back at Puerto Lápice to have a look around. We first went to the free area and used the services, but then we decided that we'd rather pay on the "other" place that we'd seen on our ride.
So we're here now. Atm alone, although two places were reserved when we booked in.
View attachment 884906
Check out the figure in the doorway!
OP
OP
That área looks great. It even has a fire extinguisher
Yes. And ex bombero Martin would be first in action
OP
OP
Now, I'm sorry, I know I keep saying we've had a great ride, but we do keep having great rides, in areas most unlikely.
Martin used Komoot to plan us a 40km ride. We started right behind the motorhome parking, and immediately got into lovely terrain. We crossed, and recrossed, small fords (with water), saw other riders, runners and walkers, so that gave us confidence to continue. We think we were in the foothills of the Montes de Toledo?
When we thought we'd done the best, we then rode along an old drovers route, with lots of purple orchids. A bit of stony track, where the tractors working hard right now, had churned up the route, didn't spoil the ride.
We WERE going to go up to the windmills, but time, and the need to buy some water in a local shop, put paid to that. I took a photo from below.
We've had a great time in Don Quijote (middle of nowhere) land, and will likely be spending a few more days around here. We'll definitely be back in future as well.
There's a good network of these paid motorhome areas, interspersed with some fully serviced free areas and lots of free parking spaces.
We're here, at the moment, alone. A very nice area, near a nice small village, with good weather. What more do people want? A seaview, I suppose.
Martin used Komoot to plan us a 40km ride. We started right behind the motorhome parking, and immediately got into lovely terrain. We crossed, and recrossed, small fords (with water), saw other riders, runners and walkers, so that gave us confidence to continue. We think we were in the foothills of the Montes de Toledo?
When we thought we'd done the best, we then rode along an old drovers route, with lots of purple orchids. A bit of stony track, where the tractors working hard right now, had churned up the route, didn't spoil the ride.
We WERE going to go up to the windmills, but time, and the need to buy some water in a local shop, put paid to that. I took a photo from below.
We've had a great time in Don Quijote (middle of nowhere) land, and will likely be spending a few more days around here. We'll definitely be back in future as well.
There's a good network of these paid motorhome areas, interspersed with some fully serviced free areas and lots of free parking spaces.
We're here, at the moment, alone. A very nice area, near a nice small village, with good weather. What more do people want? A seaview, I suppose
.
OP
OP
We've made a plan for today. We're moving to another of these parking areas in the scheme. We're going further west, to an area with lakes, at a village called Peralvillo, north of Ciudad Real. From there we can decide on our next direction, and also use Ciudad Real for a stock up next week.
Definitely our sort of Spanish trip Judith and Martin , we must make a note of all these places for our next visit.
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