Gearing Up for Adventure – A Test Ride Through Sierra de Gredos
We finally did it—bought the bikes, gathered the gear, and packed up what will soon become our “home” for the next year! To put everything (and ourselves again) to the test, we set off on a 5-day loop through the rugged Sierra de Gredos. Fully loaded and ready to roll—well, almost (we skipped the cooking gear this time).
The plan? A full circle around the mountain range, just us, our bikes, and whatever the road (or lack of it) had prepared for us. What we got was a crash course in adventure: gear failures, unexpected blackouts, and trails that were more “epic scramble” than “gentle ride.” It was wild, exhausting, and absolutely unforgettable—the perfect warm-up for the journey ahead.
Day 1 – 27.04.2025: Chapinería to Camping Valle de Iruelas – Off to a Dusty Start
Bikes loaded, sun shining, and the legs feeling fresh, we were ready for another adventure full of optimism. The route took us mostly along gravel roads, rolling through Navas del Rey, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, and El Tiemblo. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though—mud, rocks, and some pretty stubborn climbs made sure we earned every kilometer.
The last stretch was a long and steady uphill grind all the way to the campground. We arrived in the late afternoon, exhausted and ready to trade our bikes for a cold beer. Luckily the campground had a little bar, where we grabbed something to eat as well, because we hadn’t brought our cooking gear and there were no other options around (cycling downhill to the nearest restaurant and all the way up again definitely wasn’t an option).
With full stomachs and fading daylight, we pitched the tent, went for a short walk to stretch our legs, and got ready to snuggle into our sleeping bags. Tired, dusty, and already a little sore—but still with a lot of enthusiasm for what was still to come.
Distance: 46.54 km
Ascent: 588 m
Day 2 – 28.04.2025: Valle de Iruelas to Navaluenga – The Unexpected Hike
Our first night of camping? Let’s just say it wasn’t dreamy. No pillows, an uneven surface, and a tent that clearly had other ideas about comfort – the perfect recipe for sore necks and zero energy. We thought about staying another night, but with no food and the campground restaurant closed (off-season woes), we had to keep going.
The plan was a quick ride to Navaluenga. Google Maps, however, had other plans. It sent us on what turned out to be a rugged hiking trail—absolutely not bike-friendly! We ended up pushing our bikes nearly 7 km, almost scrambling over rocks and cursing Google Maps’ liability. No breakfast, no coffee, and lots of frustration. Thankfully, a couple of snacks and a protein bar kept us from fully losing it.
Eventually, we hit a paved road and coasted the last 5 km into town, where we booked a hotel (campgrounds were either closed or too far away). Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any weirder, we found out there was a massive blackout affecting Spain, Portugal, and parts of France. GPS and phone signal died shortly after we arrived—perfect timing.
We lucked out with a bar serving food and even found a local shop open later in the day to stock up. With everything so uncertain, we decided to stay an extra night and used the following day to go on a proper hike—this time without the bikes.
Distance: 16.08 km
Ascent: 284 m
Day 3 – 29.04.2025: Hiking Around Navaluenga – A “Short” Walk That Went Long
After the previous day’s bike-pushing madness and the surprise blackout, we were more than happy to take things slow. The morning started peacefully with a proper breakfast at the hotel. The electricity had come back during the night, and with our phones charging and GPS working again, the world felt slightly more in order.
We spent some time studying the map, curious to see what the surrounding mountains had to offer. The plan was simple: go for a short, casual walk to loosen up our legs and enjoy a day off the saddle, but as so often, the reality turned out different— a “casual” 4 hours hike.
It was peaceful, remote, and surprisingly energizing—even if our definition of “short hike” clearly needs some adjusting.
We returned to Navaluenga in the late afternoon, tired but satisfied. No bike drama, no surprise blackouts—just mountain air, open trails, and some much-needed recovery.
Day 4 & 5 – 30.04.2025/01.05.2025:The Hardest Climb, The Best Reward
We kicked off day 4 early in Navaluega, powered by a strong breakfast and a good dose of ambition. The day’s plan: Get to Mijares, which meant passing through the Puerto de Mijares, a mountain pass at 1570 meters that looked tough on the map— and absolutely was.
The ride started easily enough, with the first 7 kilometeres giving us a false sense of relaxation. But the reality was about to hit: a 17,5 kilometer climb with nearly 800 meters of elevantion gain. In other words: ouch.
From that point on it was all about grit, pacing, and not giving up.
This was the real deal. The kind of ride that gets into your head and legs at the same time. Every time we rounded a bend, hoping to see the summit, there was just… more mountain. We made plenty of stops to catch our breath and just keep going. At one point, we took a solid 30-minute break to refuel, stretch, and remind ourselves what this trip was all about—pushing limits, embracing the ride, and enjoying every part of the journey, even the tough ones.
After a long way up and several breakdowns, questioning our life-decisions, we eventually made it—We made it to the top.
No breathtaking views or spectacular landscapes to photograph—just some very thick clouds. But honestly, we didn’t care. Being up there felt epic!
Then came the downhill. Sweet, glorious descent. Except… it was freezing. We went from sweaty to shivering in just a few minutes. Hands numb, noses dripping, wind slicing through every layer. Still, totally worth it.
We rolled into Mijares sore, soaked and exhausted—but also absolutely buzzing with an enormous sense of accomplishment. After checking into the hotel, the first order of business was a long, hot shower—simple, but it felt like a real luxury after the day’s effort. The rest of the evening was calm and relaxed. Just letting the day settle in.
We stayed in Mijares for an extra day to rest and recover from the tough climb. There was no riding—just a quiet day to take it easy.
We went for a short walk around town, had some coffee, and took in the peaceful surroundings. The rest of the time we used it to relax, catch up on our notes and work, and give our legs a well-earned break.
A chill day, but a much-needed one.
Distance: 35.42km
Ascent: 880m
Day 6 – 02.05.2025: The Final Push to Chapinería
The weather wasn’t exactly inviting that morning—cloudy skies and steady rain—but we were ready to wrap things up. With most campgrounds still closed, a gloomy forecast ahead, and no desire to spend another night in a hotel, we made the call: let’s ride all the way home.
It was a solid journey ahead—66.7 km with plenty of hills sprinkled in—but we were set on making it in one go.
We rolled out in the rain and made our first real stop in Casavieja for a warm breakfast. Luckily, as we got back on the bikes, the rain eased off and didn’t come back. The road ahead was quiet, the air fresh, and we settled into a steady rhythm—town after town, hill after hill, slowly ticking off the distance.
By the time we reached San Martín de Valdeiglesias, the surroundings started to feel familiar again. We were getting close, and that gave us a real boost. We stopped quickly at a supermarket—water, protein bars, quick regroup—and then hit the road for the final stretch.
And that last bit? Not gonna lie—it was tough. The climb back to Chapinería was short but steep, the kind that makes your legs burn and your energy reserves feel awfully low. But we pushed through it, one pedal stroke at a time. After all, we’d already conquered Puerto de Mijares—this was just the closing chapter.
And then… home. After a few final turns, we rolled into Chapinería just as the rain started falling again. Perfect timing.
We made it back in the late afternoon, tired and sore, but full of that quiet, happy feeling you only get when you’ve truly earned the finish line
Distance: 66.7 km
Ascent: 763m
Reflective thoughts – Lessons Learned and Gear Refined
This trip was more than just a ride—it was a true test of endurance, mindset, and preparation. Covering roghly 170 km with challenging climbs, unexpected detours, and unpredictable weather, we faced more than the encountered obstacles. But with every tough moment came a valuable lesson.
This test tour gave us a real-world glimpse into what long-term bike touring demands—not just physically, but practically. It showed us exactly what gear worked, what didn’t, and what we could get rid of. We discovered the importance of traveling light, learned to balance our load, and made crucial adjustments to ensure our setup is both efficient and reliable.
At the end of the day, the trip boosted our confidence big time. We came back with tired legs, sure, but also with a clearer picture of what’s coming — plus a pack that’s lighter and smarter for the road.
This test ride was the perfect warm-up, and thanks to it, we’re now better equipped—both in gear and spirit—to embrace the adventure that’s waiting for us just beyond the horizon.
