Tonaro and the Mountains of El Chorro......

[funkylyn]

Just got back from a great day out in the mountains near me in Spain.
Set off with a little trepidation as its very steep, but my eldest son did it the other day on his unassisted bike....so, as I cant resist a challenge, I decided to give it a go.

No problems riding this Tonaro up the steep hills, as expected, and after a quick drink at La Garganta bar, I then set off up the tracks through the forests which reach a plateau with incredible views over to El Torcal.....that was tougher, rough and steep, but just for me.....not the bike, which just kept on going.

At least I am getting far fitter riding this bike......need to keep my strength up, cos you never know WHO I might come face to face with some day.......

Good thing about these bikes is their strength for off track riding, they give you confidence, the weight helping in a way.....
It was certainly good fun to pass a couple of unassisted on the way.

As I have said before, this bike does give me the confidence to take on the steep rides I would never have been able to tackle before on my Powacycle Windsor.......I am so glad I waited for this bike.....never regretted it for a second.

The route back was via the beautiful hamlet of Las Angosturas, then a lovely downhill ride which passes the AVE high speed train track, where I had the opportunity to race the 2.15 Madrid to Malaga AVE express....but after keeping up for a while....I decided to let him go.......cos I was in Malaga yesterday.......

Altogether, another lovely exciting days ride on my beautiful Tonaro Esprit and just got back with one battery light still showing....not bad....

Lynda

 

[Willin']

3......2......1..........

 

[steve.c]

No it well

Just got back from a great day out in the mountains near me in Spain.
Set off with a little trepidation as its very steep, but my eldest son did it the other day on his unassisted bike....so, as I cant resist a challenge, I decided to give it a go.

No problems riding this Tonaro up the steep hills, as expected, and after a quick drink at La Garganta bar, I then set off up the tracks through the forests which reach a plateau with incredible views over to El Torcal.....that was tougher, rough and steep, but just for me.....not the bike, which just kept on going.

At least I am getting far fitter riding this bike......need to keep my strength up, cos you never know WHO I might come face to face with some day.......

Good thing about these bikes is their strength for off track riding, they give you confidence, the weight helping in a way.....
It was certainly good fun to pass a couple of unassisted on the way.

As I have said before, this bike does give me the confidence to take on the steep rides I would never have been able to tackle before on my Powacycle Windsor.......I am so glad I waited for this bike.....never regretted it for a second.

The route back was via the beautiful hamlet of Las Angosturas, then a lovely downhill ride which passes the AVE high speed train track, where I had the opportunity to race the 2.15 Madrid to Malaga AVE express....but after keeping up for a while....I decided to let him go.......cos I was in Malaga yesterday.......

Altogether, another lovely exciting days ride on my beautiful Tonaro Esprit and just got back with one battery light still showing....not bad....

Lynda

Hi Linda. I know the area around El Chorro quite well and would love to cycle the area on my Freego Eagle. Have you cycled the road from the bridge over the river??? it's a wonderful road with huge Moutains to the left and wonderful views to El-Torcal if you know it I always stop at a circle of trees (you can't miss it ) then on to a very small village at the end (can't remember the name) the turn right for the run down to Cartema Estacion (bad spelling??) and under the high speed bridge (don't it shift) anyway just a thought but I've don't in a car but would love to do it on my bike. Regards Steve
Funny we both love that are and both "I think" live down here.

 

[funkylyn]

Hi Steve,
Yes its certainly interesting cycling country here....which bridge do you mean ?
Do you mean actually at El chorro, cycling over to Valle Abdalajis, then up the tracks past la hoya and on to cartama ....cos that would be one hell of a long ride !
Or do you mean the bridge at Rio Grande, then up over the track where the AVE comes out of the tunnel and down hill from there....
Or the huge viaduct at Alora then over and up the river bed before dropping down to Cartama ?
They are all fantastic rides and you can see the sea and the planes landing at Malaga as you start that long drop down into Estacion de cartama.

Would definitely be able to join the 50mph club on that ride down LOL

I think you must be talking about the bridge crossing at Rio Grande near Pizarra, one of my sons lives there and has done that ride unassisted .....rather him than me LOL

I have to admit that most of my insider knowledge of all these tracks comes from driving them in my old Granada when working as an estate agent here a few years ago......lived here fulltime for 12 years before relocating for most of the year back to the south west.

So havent done as many tracks on the bike yet ......and as you will know.....there are so many of them it would take a lifetime !
You will have to try to bring your bike next time......as long as its not in the summer

Lynda

 

[steve.c]

Road

Hi Steve,
Yes its certainly interesting cycling country here....which bridge do you mean ?
Do you mean actually at El chorro, cycling over to Valle Abdalajis, then up the tracks past la hoya and on to cartama ....cos that would be one hell of a long ride !
Or do you mean the bridge at Rio Grande, then up over the track where the AVE comes out of the tunnel and down hill from there....
Or the huge viaduct at Alora then over and up the river bed before dropping down to Cartama ?
They are all fantastic rides and you can see the sea and the planes landing at Malaga as you start that long drop down into Estacion de cartama.

Would definitely be able to join the 50mph club on that ride down LOL

I think you must be talking about the bridge crossing at Rio Grande near Pizarra, one of my sons lives there and has done that ride unassisted .....rather him than me LOL

I have to admit that most of my insider knowledge of all these tracks comes from driving them in my old Granada when working as an estate agent here a few years ago......lived here fulltime for 12 years before relocating for most of the year back to the south west.

So havent done as many tracks on the bike yet ......and as you will know.....there are so many of them it would take a lifetime !
You will have to try to bring your bike next time......as long as its not in the summer

Lynda

Hi Linda. The bridge I'm on about is the one over the river just back a bit from where you can see the railway bridge up the cliff face and the hanging walkway ( camino royal) go over the bridge and keep going up!! It's a road and leads I think to Valle-de-Abdalajis turn right out of the village and head on the old road to Cartema Estacion bypassing Alora & Pizzara do it in the car it's butifull. You also go under the huge viaduct for the high speed train. Steve
No I wouldn't try it in the summer? and the road is so quite you see no one.
PPS Come on people look on the Internet for it or better still go there.

 

[funkylyn]

Yes, so thats the one at El Chorro.....do you know they are FINALLY going to restore the Camino del Rey......might stop all the idiots dying off it every year !
Did you know Von Ryans Express was filmed on that railway bridge ?
When you turn right, I live a few miles from there, 2 miles from that huge viaduct.....and can watch the AVE going over from my bedroom window......stunning !
Long trip to Estacion de Cartama though.......might need 2 batteries....least, if I wanted to come back again
There are a lot of mountain bikers around here and quite a few doing mountain bike holidays, so, yes folks, come and see, and dont forget the lakes up above El Chorro......one of Spains hidden secret gems !
And the Via Verdes !!

Have you tried any of them yet Steve ?

Lynda

 

[mikep]

Hi funkylyn

Having read your post and steve.c's, I'm envious (terrible sin I know), but come on stop tempting us, buy a helmet cam and take the rest of us mere forum mortals on the ride!

Mike

 

[funkylyn]

Hi funkylyn

Having read your post and steve.c's, I'm envious (terrible sin I know), but come on stop tempting us, buy a helmet cam and take the rest of us mere forum mortals on the ride!

Mike

Well, Mike,

Much as I would like you to join me on the ride.....helmet cam ???.....ROFLOL......no way could I handle that.......but I wish I could......

Thats Morphix and Kitchenmans domain......

I dont even wear a helmet...... (ducking.....)

I cant even take a video on my phone without messing it up

I have, however, got pics on the phone that I will "attempt " to download on here after I return to UK in 2 weeks.
Meanwhile, if you go on Google earth Street View....you should be able to see the countryside, if not me on the bike !

Seriously, its wonderful countryside.....simply stunning.....and so interesting and challenging to cycle around here.....

Lynda

 

[mikep]

Come on Morphix and Kitchenman (forget the kitchen lights) assist Lynda with the video technology so that we can all enjoy a ride though the Spanish countryside

Mike

 

[muckymits]

Come on Morphix and Kitchenman (forget the kitchen lights) assist Lynda with the video technology so that we can all enjoy a ride though the Spanish countryside

Mike

You have no chance, she's a northern lass. Biting burglars or hot riveting ships is ok but nothing tech, I've spent 2 weeks showing her how to use emoticons on MSN. Just dont confuse her.

 

[funkylyn]

You have no chance, she's a northern lass. Biting burglars or hot riveting ships is ok but nothing tech, I've spent 2 weeks showing her how to use emoticons on MSN. Just dont confuse her.

Oh hahaha..........the real truth is.......if I really wanted to manage a helmet cam, believe me, I could........the problem is certainly not Tech..........its just that wearing a helmet would SO mess up my hair

Now one mounted on the bike........that seems like a better idea ?

Lynda

 

[flecc]

Now one mounted on the bike........that seems like a better idea ?

Lynda

Vibration is often the problem there Lynda, every tremor of the bike wobbling the image, having it on a helmet absorbs much of that and also allows the camera to be aimed by turning the head. Maybe a headband mounting is possible without spoiling the coiffeur?

 

[funkylyn]

Vibration is often the problem there Lynda, every tremor of the bike wobbling the image, having it on a helmet absorbs much of that and also allows the camera to be aimed by turning the head. Maybe a headband mounting is possible without spoiling the coiffeur?

Hmmm... yes, I didnt think of the vibrations........must knit myself a suitable headband with cam pocket......might even be a market for them

Lynda

 

[flecc]

They're already available Lynda, here's one

and another

Maybe someone on here knows of a good one.
.

 

[funkylyn]

No no no......they are boring......I'm thinking more along the lines of a really FUNKY brightly coloured knitted one......

ah.....no....just had a thought.....maybe a Nordic "Killing" one.....hmmm...yes thats what I will design....

Lynda

 

[flecc]

Guess what, I already knew that would be your reply when I looked at those black bands Lynda!

Maybe Viking horns on that Nordic one?

 

[steve.c]

Yes, so thats the one at El Chorro.....do you know they are FINALLY going to restore the Camino del Rey......might stop all the idiots dying off it every year !
Did you know Von Ryans Express was filmed on that railway bridge ?
When you turn right, I live a few miles from there, 2 miles from that huge viaduct.....and can watch the AVE going over from my bedroom window......stunning !
Long trip to Estacion de Cartama though.......might need 2 batteries....least, if I wanted to come back again
There are a lot of mountain bikers around here and quite a few doing mountain bike holidays, so, yes folks, come and see, and dont forget the lakes up above El Chorro......one of Spains hidden secret gems !
And the Via Verdes !!

Have you tried any of them yet Steve ?

Lynda

Hi Linda. Yeah I no about the filming of Von Ryan's Express there and remember the scene of them running through the tunnels and over the bridge shooting all the time?? and to hear they are going to repair and open???? the Camino Del Rey is great I've wanted to climb that hanging track for more than 25/30 years since I saw it first and then it was intact (watch it on YouTube just type in Camino Del Ray or Royal Road ) and see if you all would want to do it????. Steve.
PS must be a thrill to look out of your window and see that bridge Linda ?????.

 

[funkylyn]

It certainly is Steve....but I will be leaving here in 10 days so wont see it again till next xmas !
They are now keen to open the Camino to attract more tourism and also to try to cut down on the annual death toll !
If they arent falling off the camino, they are falling off the rocks, but of course the more dangerous it is the more the daredevils like it, and totally ignore the warning signs and chains !
At major fiesta days they usually station security guards at the entrances to try to keep people off it !
Those you tube vids are great, personally there isnt enough money around to tempt me up onto that.......
not even another Tonaro !

Lynda

 

[funkylyn]

Guess what, I already knew that would be your reply when I looked at those black bands Lynda!

Maybe Viking horns on that Nordic one?

View attachment 3060

Errrrr..........not QUITE like that Flecc.......do you want to get me arrested ?

Lynda