Spain - Apr/May '26
When a friend tells you they are planning a cycling long weekend in Caple... hmmmmmmm... what you gonna do! 
Thanks to CEPC for letting me gatecrash their fun. Awesome few days riding with the crew on the Costa Blanca...
... before taking the slow road home along the coast & through the mountains. Was a great little Spring trip!
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Approaching the Col du Pourtalet (French side)... brrrrrrrrr!
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Some time later (very easy motorway driving from France): Hola Pucol! Bit nippy here but at least there's no snow! 
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Dinner by the beach in Purol. Cheers!
Thursday 30 April 2026
Decathlon Alfafar. Think this is 3rd branch today looking for various goodies & requests. Mission accomplished!
Thursday 30 April 2026
That'll do! Shakedown ride in the sun with the CEPC boys. Cheers!
Friday 1 May 2026
Pre-ride breakie @ the campsite. Nom, nom, nom! 
Friday 1 May 2026
One of the guys is collecting a rental here (Blanca Bikes, Calpe). Nice spot!
Friday 1 May 2026
Morning break from the Spanish, erm, mist & rain! World's thickest hot chocolate & apple strudel @ Coll de Rates.
Friday 1 May 2026
Back on the coast for the final break of the day: tapas & beers by the beach at Mascarat. Cheers!
Friday 1 May 2026
Well earned dinner @ Bella Mia: starter devoured before any pics followed by pizza & cheesecake. Hit the spot!
Saturday 2 May 2026
Today's first snack stop @ Granadella beach. Cheesecake so good we all ordered another serve! Nom, nom, nom!
Saturday 2 May 2026
Final break of the day: tapas & beers by the beach at Moraira. Anyone spot the reoccurring theme? Cheers!
Saturday 2 May 2026
Date night dinner @ Restaurante Tavino. More chipirones, delicious paella & chocolate dessert. Nom, nom, nom!
Sunday 3 May 2026
La Vall d'Ebo big day out. Many coffee stops. Obligatory tapas & beer by the beach. Could get used to days like this!
Sunday 3 May 2026
Rooftop vibes & searching for food in Calpe old town. No pics of meal: everyone ravenous & was gone in an instant!
Monday 4 May 2026
Final morning coffee ride Caple/Moraira return. Cheers guys, been a great few days!
Monday 4 May 2026
Pre-dinner wander round Calpe old town.
Monday 4 May 2026
Calpe beach... 
Monday 4 May 2026
Dinner @ Mono Thai, Calpe. Can't remember tasting a better pad see ew. Curry delicious too. Nom, nom, nom!
Monday 4 May 2026
No tiramisu at restaurant so picked up dessert on the way home. Great bakery in this supermarket - was delicious!
Tuesday 5 May 2026
Morning stroll to say hi to Calpe's flamingos... who aren't pink! Shame most were a bit shy, but still nice to see
Tuesday 5 May 2026
Baguet Bicycle Center, Calpe. Impressive display of jerseys and love their bar! Shame it's only 10am
Tuesday 5 May 2026
Lunch @ Bali Cafe... in a garden centre, how terribly British! Nice enough, but think we've more authentic food
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Today's ride: Serra d'Espada. Smooth, twisty up & down roads, great views & absolutely deserted. Mind blowing stuff!
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Post ride refreshments... giving this one a go. Nice, but think I prefer the original. Cheers!
Friday 8 May 2026
Today's ride: head inland & climb to Llaberia (what a gem!) before beaut descent & return along the coast.
Friday 8 May 2026
Post ride refreshments... cheers!
Saturday 9 May 2026
Just passing through, so lunch @ Umai Ramen, Lleida. Nom, nom, nom!
Sunday 10 May 2026
Past rolling fields of wheat & poppies, Port d'Ager (& the village) & return via Panta de Camarasa. Great loop!
Sunday 10 May 2026
Delicious lunch @ Camping La Noguera. Bit swish for a campsite cafe, eh? Cheers!
Monday 11 May 2026
Lunch @ Hostal Portal del Pirineo. Love a simple restaurant with good food & interesting to see the huge BBQ inside!
Monday 11 May 2026
Quick stop in Benabarre. Stroll to the lookout & castle. Streets were very quiet but felt like a nice little place
Monday 11 May 2026
Random Spanish supermarket find. Nice label, but... red wine in a plastic bottle? Think I'll pass!
Tuesday 12 May 2026
Today's ride: random climbs, deserted roads, more poppy fields, great views & strange but kinda cool religious place.
Wednesday 13 May 2026
A closer look at Santuario de Torreciudad. I'll give them this: built in an amazing setting!
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Lunch in Ainsa. Our fave is closed so guess this place will just have to do Very nice sausage, chips & eggs. Nom!
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Short after-lunch stroll around Ainsa. What a lovely afternoon But that's all for now. So long Spain, hasta luego!
