{"id":6827,"date":"2022-05-30T08:51:45","date_gmt":"2022-05-30T08:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=6827"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:34:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:34:17","slug":"cycling-in-basque-country-that-final-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/fietsen-in-baskenland-that-final-day","title":{"rendered":"Cycling in the Basque Country: that final day"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sun is gradually rising above the hilltop. A band of clouds prevents the sun from shining in its full glory. It\u2019s chilly outside, with a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. A combination of fog and mist creates a mystical atmosphere. Is this the mystical and energetic spirit of the Rioja region? Cycling in the Basque Country has many faces. Here on the edge of \u2018Euskadi<\/a>\u2018And La Rioja shows this region of Spain at its best. It is a harbinger of a wonderful finale to our Basque Country diary. With a finish on the steps of the magnificent San Mames stadium in sight. Between our start with Luis Ca\u00f1as and the finish lies 160 kilometers of rugged but beautiful terrain. How did that go? Read on quickly! If you\u2019re curious about our previous cycling days, please read Part 1<\/a>, 2<\/a>, 3<\/a>, 4<\/a> and 5<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Masterknappers,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Master apprentices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To be honest, the past few days have been impressive, but also tough. I\u2019m an average cyclist who mostly likes to talk and write about cycling. With a young family, my own business and other obligations, I\u2019m not as fit as I would like to be. In the past few days, I\u2019ve been a regular part of the group. This last day we really need to step it up and so we decide to take a 30-minute lead with four riders. The goal is to finish together in Bilbao. I\u2019ve been assigned three team mates. It gives me morale and despite the early start (the alarm at 05:40 and the start at 06:30), I have full confidence in a good outcome. On the climbs, I\u2019m not the strongest, but downhill I like to think of myself as Paolo Savoldelli, Peter Sagan or Vincenzo Nibali. Vamos!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ruben,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Wouter,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vineyards and hills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The vineyards of the Rioja form a beautiful backdrop. Yesterday we already understood that most of the vineyards here are \u2018naturally\u2019 planted. They are not arranged in rows, but have developed over the years. The harvest does change with the climate. In general, it is difficult to plan the grape harvest, but the location where the grapes grow best also changes with it. Previously, the south side of the hill was popular, now the north side is preferred. The height of the vines also varies more and more. Wine regions are often also popular cycling areas. That makes sense, because for good wine you need hills, and those are just what are most wanted by cyclists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"View,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Wine<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Continue climbing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The road winds up very gradually. After a tough start and a short descent, it\u2019s now Mirador de la Sonsierra\u2019s turn. On our right, a beautiful view over the Rioja valley. The aforementioned sun is increasingly obscured by clouds. In some places, the sun still manages to get through, which creates dramatic images. Beautiful to photograph and a real treat for the eyes. My fellow riders are of course also helping out with that. I set the pace. For my fellow riders, it\u2019s a training ride; for me, it\u2019s just a bit different. At the top, we cross back into the Basque Country. Because this climb is right in the corner of La Rioja, Basque Country and Castile and Le\u00f3n. On the route, we change regions several times, partly because Castile has an extra piece of land in the middle of Basque Country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Wouter,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Character<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The descents of the climbs are wonderfully undulating and well-signposted. It\u2019s good to attack without having to risk your life right away. I call these confidence descents, where you can get used to the speed and the turns. After the descent, the ever-rolling landscape awaits us. We trek through characteristic Spanish villages, where the sound of the clock breaks the silence every hour. Where men and women still stop on the street to ask how it goes. Here, the local bar is the hub and the day of cortados rolls over into glasses of wine and pintxo\u2019s in the morning and evening. Villages like Pobes, Pa\u00fal, and the atmospheric Puebla de Arganz\u00f3n. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing landscape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first part of this stage are vines and green trees as our companion along the route. After about 30 kilometers, on the way towards Trevi\u00f1o that picture changes. Green fields filled with other crops accompany us on our way to the next climb. With a little imagination, this could also be in the Midwest in America. It reminds me of the fields in Iowa and Nebraska, where I once rode through on a train with my brother Maarten. The fact that the most vivid memory of this is the two gambling sisters from Florida who found everything very NAAAAAAAIS says enough. On the bike in Spain I look at it differently though. It gives me peace of mind and in the wheel of \u2018Aitor\u2019 van den Boogaard it is easy to get comfortable. The motorcycles of my apprentices are running at full speed, which allows me to recover somewhat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Cycling<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cycling<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bilbao in sight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018mirador al Valle de Angulo y Cascada\u2019 is not in itself a particularly interesting point on the route. It is located just after a kind of quarry, from which the trucks leave a white trail on the road and on the bike. There is enough space to park the car for a moment or, in our case, to set up a picnic. It is cool and occasionally a drizzle comes from the cloud cover. The lead over the others has shrunk from 30 minutes to 25 minutes. In a warm bus, we enjoy a delicious lunch, which the team has arranged. We get to taste the tortillas and other things well. An extra load in the long descent towards Bilbao, that can never hurt. The rest of the group also arrives and after everyone has had a chance to recharge their energy, we head towards the end of a magical trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All good things must come to an end<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The city of Bilbao is a jewel on the Estuary of Bilbao, a river\/canal that divides the port city into two parts. Along the water is a beautiful bike path, allowing you to literally ride into the city based on the flow of the river. It is a majestic sight, with the larger buildings in the distance and also our final destination: San Mames, the stadium of the local pride, Athletic Club de Bilbao. The exterior and interior of this football temple are both impressive. Likewise, the nearby, designed by Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Museum. Our tour ends with a photo session at both the Guggenheim and San Mames, where we are also treated to some more of the local delights. With views of the sacred grass and a charming bar, this makes for the perfect conclusion to our adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Guggenheim,
(C) Ibon Barberia\/Etxeondo.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"sander,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Routes Basque Cycling Culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Would you like to experience this exciting adventure too? Check out all the routes of our trip through the Basque Country here. It was and still is pure enjoyment in this beautiful region. Check out our other collections on Komoot! <\/p>\n\n\n\n