Well, it has in fact been a very fine day for a birthday. Despite intermittent rain showers before departure, we were blessed with a dry
Category: Cycling
Cycling Around Paloma Alta, Betis and Sierra de Fates
Getting back on the bike after what seems like an age, then encountering more than my fair share of dead ends and no entry roads, some very rough stuff, cows, horses and donkeys, mad men with guns – it all makes for an excellent day out.
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Twitching at Las Lagunas de Campillos, Andalusia
We weren’t expecting the Spanish Inquisition – sorry, I meant to say cold. For some reason, despite having left the mountains, last night was a
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A Mirador to Round Off the Ride of Cabo de Gata
After a day in the hills of the Capo de Gata, this mirador on the coast between Rodalquilar and Los Escallos was a welcome point to take a rest, enjoy the view, and reflect on the days efforts. I also learnt about ‘Love Locks’, so educational as well!
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The Gold Mines of Rodalquilar, Cabo de Gata
The gorge finally tipped me out onto a track leading to the Gold Mines of Rodalquilar. These are impressive open-cast mines, with earlier shafts and tunnels exposed by the latter workings. Mined for thousands of years for various ores, gold was discovered at Rodalquilar in the 1800’s, and mined commercially from the 1920’s until the 1960’s, except during the Spanish Civil War of the ’30’s. It’s now possible to walk freely among the workings, and there is a mountain bike route that circles the main workings.
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A Habitable Cave in Cerro Cuchillo, Cabo de Gata
After seeing smaller caves further up the hill this one, large enough to be habitable, was found on the lower slopes. Straw and footprints, both animal and human, showed recent use, plus a concealed anti-chamber.
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The Deep, Verdant Gorge of Cerro Cuchillo, Cabo de Gata
A very picturesque scene, a deep cutting between two hills that seems more verdant than the surrounding hillsides. There a small caves high on the
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A Rocky Descent of Cerro Cuchillo, Cabo de Gata
A rocky descent which is requiring a good degree of walking. There is an information board which is highlighting some of the flora to be found, this area seems lusher than other parts, probably as what little rain falls is funnelled downwards. The bike is propped against what appears to be a shelter/bunker for hunting purposes, boar perhaps.
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Hunting Lodge on Cerro Rellana, Cabo de Gata
This is a hunting lodge perched on top of a hill called Cerro Rellana. They seem to be big into hunting all over rural Spain,
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Looking Down on Los Escallos, Cabo de Gata
Loosing my grip on the way up, but mollified by the view back down across the bay of Los Escallos. The twin peaks of the Cerro de Los Frailes providing the backdrop.
