"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).

[jumartoo]

So when do you charge the bike battery’s?
or do you have Two?

We charge them after our rides. Either when travelling or via a 1,500 watt pure sinewave inverter powered by a lithium leisure battery.

 

[jumartoo]

Yesterday we arrived at a free park up at Maury. We had a tremendous storm. We were indoors throughout the torrential rain, not so some of the other motorhomers. Drowned rats came to mind.

We are happy to report no water ingress, even through the partly open Maxxfan

This morning dawned with blue skies so we chanced a 2018 mountain bike route I'd found on Wikiloc. It rode well, even 6 years later. We rode towards the Cathar Chateau, and then around to the other side, before popping out at the carpark. Lots of old Citroen's were there, one was being fettled half way up the climb. I hope it eventually made it. We waved on our way downhill.

Last night aire. Free unless you want leccy and water.

 

[jumartoo]

We're now at another Camping Carpark aire, this time at Quillan. Where we're watching yet more clouds forming towards another storm.

 

[Mr porky]

Hi. Can I ask what bikes you have and why ?

 

[jumartoo]

Hi. Can I ask what bikes you have and why ?

We have YT full suspension emtbs. We have moved up to ebikes as we've got older and to make riding easier on the knees.

We still like to ride off road and having power assist means we can go further than we'd be able to otherwise.

Ebikes are great

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[jumartoo]

We had a walk this morning. We were spoken to by a guy putting a bike on a bike rack. He spoke in French but then switched to English. The bike was a birthday present for someone. He is Dutch, retired last year and bought a small house at Quillan.

We continued uphill, through a forest to a wooden chalet. Our return was down through some lovely meadows.

We left Quillan at mid day to go to Esperaza and the motorhome Aire there. Unfortunately it was closed off and so we've continued to Limoux, another not so pretty Aire, and another run by Camper Carparks.

We're thinking about going to a campsite at Castres tomorrow to wait out delivery of a new battery for my bike. Frankie (yodeli) has very kindly said we can have it sent to her address near Toulouse. We'll know tomorrow the expected delivery time. Fingers crossed the supplier can be persuaded that it is urgent

 

[scousebird]

you don't wait too long for the battery.

 

[paddymcc]

Lovely photos. I remember cycle touring through the area in the 70s. The cherries were just ripe and the pickers said we could have any we wanted from the trees. The most delicious cherries ever.

 

[jumartoo]

We're now on an ACSI site near Castres. We had to press a button to enter. A huge boom/barrier rose. They've obviously had traveller problems here in the past

We haven't seen much yet because it's raining. We chose a pitch and our hookup cable didn't reach the box (we don't normally need hookup so we've only brought a short cable. As an ACSI price, it's included so we're using it). The French guy across has lent us another cable. He thinks we're Spanish . He did a French/Spanish translation as to where to leave the cable when we leave, and if he's not here.

Nice man

 

[SMB]

So today, contrary to the wet weather forecast, the day dawned dry and sunny (again). Martin fettled the running gear on my bike for me, and then went to help a neighbour with a car with a flat battery, whilst I swanned off to meet Kay to go for a ride.

We did a local route, with a stop for a coffee at a very old, traditional, bar next to an Ermita (the sisters that run the bar allegedly threatened to sit on the roof of the Ermita when it was threatened with demolition when the dual carriageway (autovia) was being built. The ermita still stands! The bar is .... different , but its right along the via verde from/to Mazarron and, either Totana or Cartagena.

Dry farmland
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And Kay pointing to the pair of Short Toed Eagles I'd just pointed out to her
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The Ermita, now on an island between the old road and the "new" autovia., the old bar, and our coffee spot under the old tree. (We could hear, but not see, Golden Orioles. Very elusive birds).

View attachment 749448
View attachment 749447
View attachment 749446

We (jumar and myself) live in Spain. We now have a "bolthole" apartment, twixt the mountains of Sierra Espuña and the med coast of Puerto Mazarron.

But ... we still have many motorhoming trips away. Local(ish) in autumn/winter/spring, and in the summer months, further afield.

In the summer I often start a thread, but, I soon give up, due to lack of inerest, maybe? to people being away on their own summer trips, and not needing info of places to go. Any other reasons, please say!

So ... I'm happy, and willing to post, a "Year in Spain" (with maybe a dip over the borders into France and Portugal).

Any interest, starting from now onwards??

The campsite at El Berro is my favourite, love the off-road e-biking in the Sierra Espuna area, especially the Badlands, Totana etc. I spent two months there in February/ March this year. Following your excellent posts with interest and picking up some ideas

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[jumartoo]

The campsite at El Berro is my favourite, love the off-road e-biking in the Sierra Espuna area, especially the Badlands, Totana etc. I spent two months there in February/ March this year. Following your excellent posts with interest and picking up some ideas

Have you ridden up Leiva and down the Barranco del Hoz? My favourite ride now we have ebikes to do the Leiva bit quickly.

 

[jumartoo]

The nice French man has a motorhome that we, almost, covet!

A 4x4 Hymer. For us it lets itself down by only having a small garage

Oh .... and I expect the price tag might also put us off

 

[SMB]

Yesterday we arrived at a free park up at Maury. We had a tremendous storm. We were indoors throughout the torrential rain, not so some of the other motorhomers. Drowned rats came to mind.

We are happy to report no water ingress, even through the partly open Maxxfan

This morning dawned with blue skies so we chanced a 2018 mountain bike route I'd found on Wikiloc. It rode well, even 6 years later. We rode towards the Cathar Chateau, and then around to the other side, before popping out at the carpark. Lots of old Citroen's were there, one was being fettled half way up the climb. I hope it eventually made it. We waved on our way downhill.

Last night aire. Free unless you want leccy and water.
View attachment 766606 View attachment 766607 View attachment 766608 View attachment 766609 View attachment 766610 View attachment 766611

The aire it Maury looks great and gets good reviews on search4sites, thanks for that

 

[SMB]

Have you ridden up Leiva and down the Barranco del Hoz? My favourite ride now we have ebikes to do the Leiva bit quickly.

Yes, I've done it both ways, I prefer going up the valley and down into the barranco then follow it round past the bottle factory before calling in to see my friends who live in the area. My current favourite is to take the shortcut from the campsite over to the main road into Alhama then turn off and follow the canal to the Totana camping area, carrying on then right and choose one of the tracks back over the hills to the information centre/fire tower. Thank God for ebikes

 

[SMB]

I'm currently at the aire at Navas Del Selpillar, not much in town but it's right on a Via Verde which had an unusual bridge over a carriageway!

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[jumartoo]

The aire it Maury looks great and gets good reviews on search4sites, thanks for that

The ride we did from Maury was excellent. All rideable except for one water channel at the bottom of a track.

 

[jumartoo]

The ride we did from Maury was excellent. All rideable except for one water channel at the bottom of a track.

It's on my Wikiloc judithcheckley3

 

[SMB]

It's on my Wikiloc judithcheckley3

Thanks Judith, I'll have a look at that. I think I've seen some of your posts on Facebook as well?

 

[jumartoo]

Thanks Judith, I'll have a look at that. I think I've seen some of your posts on Facebook as well?

Possibly

 

[jumartoo]

Today's ride, in sunny conditions contrary to the forecast was 15km on minor roads and then a slippery, rocky descent down to a single track alongside a river (tree roots to cope with there as well). We entered a nice village and crossed the bridge (after all the kids had gone) and then had a lovely few kilometres alongside the same river on a cycle way.

I didn't save this ride!

And we've now got the forecast rain, with a vengeance!

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[jumartoo]

I'm currently at the aire at Navas Del Selpillar, not much in town but it's right on a Via Verde which had an unusual bridge over a carriageway!

View attachment 768737 View attachment 768739

Just had to Google where that is. Not an area we visit often.

 

[ChrisMac]

The nice French man has a motorhome that we, almost, covet!

A 4x4 Hymer. For us it lets itself down by only having a small garage

Oh .... and I expect the price tag might also put us off

On the subject of price - we‘re making the full time living move to Spain next year, or at the end of this year. We‘ll sell our UK motorhome and hopefully in the next couple of years buy a Spanish one to do pretty much what you guys are doing, exploring in the hotter months. I hear that Spanish second hand vehicles are a good bit more expensive than in the UK. Do you find that to be true?

 

[SMB]

Just had to Google where that is. Not an area we visit often.

There's a few decent places around here and the Via Verde stretches all the way to Jaen so quite a long one. I'm heading to Cabra next, very nice free Aire with all the services bar electric and it's very secure and gated. Also on the same Via Verde and it's a big town with Lidl, bars etc nearby. Only been once so looking to explore a bit more, there looks like there's some off-road MTB routes as well.

 

[jumartoo]

There's a few decent places around here and the Via Verde stretches all the way to Jaen so quite a long one. I'm heading to Cabra next, very nice free Aire with all the services bar electric and it's very secure and gated. Also on the same Via Verde and it's a big town with Lidl, bars etc nearby. Only been once so looking to explore a bit more, there looks like there's some off-road MTB routes as well.

We've been to Cabra (and Doña Mencia) a few times. Not stayed at the Motorhome area there though. When we were last there it was only a small carpark. The via Verde is nice to ride and I would think there are some Wiki routes to do.

 

[jumar]

On the subject of price - we‘re making the full time living move to Spain next year, or at the end of this year. We‘ll sell our UK motorhome and hopefully in the next couple of years buy a Spanish one to do pretty much what you guys are doing, exploring in the hotter months. I hear that Spanish second hand vehicles are a good bit more expensive than in the UK. Do you find that to be true?

Yes... secondhand vehicles in general are quite pricey....the right style motorhome also...our 17 year old Hymer would still fetch the same price we bought it for a good few years back...perhaps more because I've put a Lithium battery in...

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[jumartoo]

We'll, wow, wow, and wow again.

Had an Email from Tamara from YT (the bike manufacturer) to tell me that, after speaking with her supervisor, she has been told to refund my payment for the replacement battery and they'll send it FoC.

We'll celebrate when it all happens, but to say we're "gobsmacked" is putting it mildly.

 

[jumartoo]

After a night of heavy rain we left the campsite (two cans of San Miguel lighter, we left them for the helpful Frenchman with the 4x4 Hymer)

We drove in the direction of Albi, but stopped off at the village of Lombers. It has a motorhome parking area and (a non existent new area) but is on a voie verte and also has marked btt and walking routes.

We did a short walking route. Allegedly Roman in theme, but we didn't see any Roman influence.

Arriving back at the parking at 2 pm, too early to stop for the night, we've moved on a short distance to the village of Montdragon.

A parking area only, with an open toilet block, but a better view. We'll explore later.

Photos from our walk.

And we did walk through fields of barley (on a track, of course)

 

[SMB]

It's on my Wikiloc judithcheckley3

I didn't realise that I had a wikiloc account until I downloaded the app and it said my email address was already registered! Thanks, they'll come in handy

 

[jumartoo]

My wonky bike battery has been behaving, and recharging!

Tomorrow should see the delivery of my new (free to me) battery at a stadium east of Toulouse. We're not holding out for such a speedy delivery.

Yesterday evening, at Montdragon, we went for a stroll. It's a tiny village, with an even tinier "old" centre. It's lovely though. We were three motorhomes eventually, parked next to the Pigeonneur! And we had a very quiet night.

Pigeonneur (or something similar).

 

[jumartoo]

And so, this morning we drove, via Aldi, to the CCP area of Gaillac. It's a site with shade, although we didn't need any so far, it's been a cloudy, drizzly day.

Even so, with fully charged bike batteries, we had to ride so we set off on a 40km route. The route took us through the motorhome area, next to the lake, near the nice village of Lisle sur Tarn. It looks like a decent place to stay.

We rode a lot of small roads, and finished through many different vineyards.

A "different" but pleasant ride.

The lake near ...

The village of Lisle sur Tar. Some "motor" bikers arrived as we did!

The village "square"

And a tiny chapel a bit further along our route.

The sun's just broken through, so it looks like a nice evening is on the cards.

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