Europe, Photography

Coasting Through Costa Brava – Biking on Vies Verdes

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It was only going to be 55 kilometers, right?

No biggie. It was 38km the first day and then the rest was broken up into 2 other days…

I mean, we did 40 or so for the World’s Most Dangerous Road. How hard could it possibly be?

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Oh yeah. I guess I didn’t take into consideration that we were going downhill all day in Bolivia.

*cough*

In true Erica fashion I like to talk big and somehow struggle my way through most of our adventures. I’m always glad I did though. The Vies Verdes bike paths with CicloTurisme was probably one of the best Costa Brava tours I could have thought to experience this area of Spain.

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You know those moments when you are in bliss and you can’t think of anywhere else you could possibly be? There were a few of those – in between being the last person to huff and puff up massive hills and one of the first to whizz down steep ones.

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This is when I learned I was a true adrenaline junkie.

We fared better than others. I know one person had the fate of flipping over her handlebars in a last ditch attempt to slow down a steep asphalt road.

Shaun even was a really nice guy and decided to give a tutorial to the rest of the group on why you shouldn’t lock up your front brakes and flipped over his bike to show what happens. Besides giving everyone a massive heart attack, he came out fine – albeit with a few extra knicks and scratches. (He is just glad I didn’t see it or he would have had a heart attack with my reaction.)

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We weaved through the countryside on old train railways that have been removed and kept for the sole purpose of using them for biking. I LOVE to see how people repurpose old infrastructures and this is one of the most creative things I had seen in quite some time.

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The bike paths took us on so many adventures:

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Our guide showed us hidden paths and waterfalls (Cogolls waterfall).

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I had a steampunk photogasm when we came across the old Bures textile mill in Angeles that has a working steam machine. What a cool museum idea! They even fired it up for us.

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One night we had the pleasure of falling asleep to the lapping waves of the Mediterranean at the Hotel Tamariu in Tamariu, Spain… of course after a nightcap of cremat (a rum drink that they light on FIRE!) that Shaun gladly participated in.

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We got to experience traditional Catalan cuisine in live cooking demonstration at Palamos, Spain’s fish space “Espai del Peix“. Shaun even made a mean garlic aioli. The man can make macaroni and cheese out of a box. This was a start!

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The live fish market there was going strong and wholesalers and restaurateurs came by to pick up their daily catches. It was FASCINATING to see what people actually pay and bid on.

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We got to see an old monastery!

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We got to see the Quart Pottery Museum in Quart, Spain and participate in making things on our own.

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I apparently not only like penguins but have quite the morbid imagination. I have no clue how this creepy guy came to be out of the tips of my fingers.

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Most of all I learned that I could push myself. Even though I got quite sick towards the end (and apparently was riding around with a massive fever), I was determined to finish. Foolish? Probably. But I feel accomplished.

And seriously, I would have been a little bit pissy had I missed out on so many of the adventures.

Have you been to Costa Brava? What things in Spain do you enjoy doing?

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Disclosure: We were guests of Costa Brava, however all opinions are our own.

23 thoughts on “Coasting Through Costa Brava – Biking on Vies Verdes”

  1. There is NO WAY I would’ve even tried that bike ride! I’m impressed you guys gave it a shot and survived. It does sound like a great trip.

  2. The kisses make it all better. 😛

    It really was an amazing 3 days. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect experience riding through the Spanish countryside.

  3. Thanks for commenting Ellen! I do like to try anything once so I’m super glad I got this opportunity. I just wish I was in better shape.

  4. Shaun was full of tutorials during that trip! So great for a novice like me (except when he vaulted over the handlebars and nearly scared me to death, of course). Had a blast getting to know you guys!

  5. Hi Shaun and Erica! We are so glad you spent such a nice time here in Girona and its surroundings last September with TBEX meeting. As you show on the article above we can see that your cycling experience through the old railways path from Olot to Girona took you to discover hidden little places which can only be seen from Greenways. You didn’t miss either our gastronomy and were brave to prepare a cremat. Congrats 🙂
    Let us know if you come in Girona again and want to discover more charming and quiet places like these you visited by bike. Plus, thank you for your mention to Cicloturisme website. You are very welcomed anytime!

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