Cycling the Iberian Peninsula to the Costa Blanca

During our round-the-world cycling trip we'll be passing through Spain — a non-negotiable stop after eighteen months without seeing family.

Right now our heads are full of our upcoming winter cycling adventure in England, which happens at the end of this month and will see us pedalling, camping and cooking our way around the UK under a blanket of snow. Thinking about summer, sun and beaches gives us the energy to push on.

That winter test will put our cold-weather clothing, tent, sleeping bags — and ourselves — through their paces, to see whether we can actually enjoy cycle touring in those conditions.

Our cycling route through Spain

Later, in summer, our pedalling will take us into Spain. After crossing the Pyrenees and passing through Zaragoza, we'll follow the coastline anticlockwise around the Peninsula. I can't wait to stop in Asturias for some cider, explore Galicia and eat octopus, discover Portugal — and above all, Andalucía.

A rough sketch of our ideas looks something like the map below, though we'll be taking smaller back roads and zigzagging a lot more.

See [Possible cycling route through Spain](https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=218426466903268119320.0004d34abbd31718b2986&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=39.774769,-3.383789&spn=11.814679,26.323242&z=5&source=embed) in a larger map

By the time we reach the Levante coast we'll probably be ready for a rest — to slow down, enjoy the beach and the Mediterranean. We could look at cheap hotels on the Costa Blanca, but most likely we'll pitch the tent somewhere quiet and find a small unspoilt beach.

Thanks to rr807 for the photo. Couchsurfing and, of course, camping wherever possible.

Is there anywhere you think we absolutely have to visit by bike on our loop around the Iberian Peninsula?