Last Sunset

As the sun sets on our 2013 biking extravaganza in Spain, we're all set to get up early for our 7am flight out of Madrid. Until next time, our Spanish friends!!

The last train

Train today, plane tomorrow.

Sanctuary of Aranzazu

A half hour drive up into the hills outside of Beasaín is a beautiful Franciscan sanctuary.

Donostia-San Sebastion

It was a bit cold and windy walking around in Donostia-San Sebastion, but we made the most of it. The previous day there were 15 foot waves crashing the boardwalk here.

Guggenheim Bilbao

We visited the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao. This gigantic metal art installation was impressive... as for the rest of the artwork we saw... to be honest it was atrocious.

Beasaín

Ate some traditional local food at a fair in the small town of Beasaín, where our friends live.

Birthday

Our friends made an amazing birthday dinner for Kirt. They even went to France to buy pumpkins for the occasion. It was a fantastic dinner and even better conversation with great friends.

Concert

Went to our friend's concert in Madrid and enjoyed a typical Spanish dinner after with friends.

Madrid

Here in Madrid is was a little colder than Andalusia, but still an perfect day for a walk through the Parque del Retiro.

Churros con Chocolate

Churros con Chocolate

In Madrid with our friends enjoying our favorite dessert at a 100+ year old Chocolatería.

Hacienda Minerva

This is the view out of our hotel window on our last day of the bike trip. Next stop Madrid.

Last day of biking

Some incredible views on our last day of biking. This trail is on an old railroad grade.

Zuheros

Today we rode through the mountainside town of Zuheros.

Biking - Day 5

Ancient Olive Oil Press

Biking - Day 4

Cordoba

Water wheel with the oldest bridge in Cordoba. This bridge spanning the Guadalquivir river was constructed in the first Century BC... Over 2000 years old!

Cordoba street performer

Cordoba

Looking for a place to grab a beer and some tapas in Cordoba with our friends Don and Leslie.

Entrance to Córdoba

Biking Guides - Niko & Roman

Biking - Day 3

Dinner

Traditional flamenco singing from the owner of the restaurant for after dinner entertainment.

Lunchtime

We stopped off at a bar in Peñaflor for a spot of lunch to refuel for the second half of today's ride.

Biking - Day 2

Monasterio de San Francisco

Our first hotel on our VBT bike tour. It is an old monastery that has been converted into a hotel. This is one of the three courtyards.

Monasterio de San Francisco

Our hotel in Palma del Rio is an old monastery. Pretty cool place.

Biking in Palma Del Rio

Great weather for the first day of our bike tour.

Day 1 - warm up ride

First day of biking in Spain (Palma del Rio).

Old / New Friends

I haven't seen Emilio for 25 years, it was great to sit and chat for a few hours.  Roger had heard alot about Emilio, but had never met him before.  They hit it off like old friends...

Top of the cathedral

Views from the top of the cathedral (Giralda Tower) in Sevilla.

Repair

Wheels constructed to help
repair the cathedral pillars in Sevilla.

Sevilla Cathederal

The Sevilla Cathedral is the largest gothic church in the world and the third largest church in the world overall.

Paella

Some great paella at the restaurant next to our apartment.

Sevilla Cathederal

Tonight as we walked past the Cathedral all 20 bells were ringing and made quite a sound.

First night in Sevilla.

Perfect temperature for outside dining.

CDG

Charles De Gaulle airport... Paris

Spain Bound

On our last leg of a four leg journey from Anchorage to Spain.

Reykjavik from above