The White Villages Touring holiday
Postcard by Graham Baxter

Saturday 5th May 2001
Fourteen riders arrived to pleasant warm weather at Malaga airport. They spent the day visiting the beautiful city of Malaga and getting ready for the Andalucian tour of the White Villages (Pueblos Blancos).

Sunday 6th May 2001
Day 1: Malaga to Ronda
The fourteen riders left as a group from Malaga at 10.00hrs and headed for the beautiful town of Ronda, a distance of 100km (62miles). This is the hardest day of the whole tour as the route takes the riders to 1,190 metres above sea level. After passing through the villages of Cartama & Coin lunch was taken at the village of Alozaina. Today was Mothers Day in Spain and it was noticeable, with many families out for lunch.

After lunch the route took the riders over the Puerto de las Abejas before descending passed the vhite village of El Burgo. Jimmy Sweeney from Ireland was clearly finding the climb a little tough after been 2 years off the bike, whilst the first riders on the road (Chris Watts, 69 year old Peter Bell, Hugh Ward and Andrew Postings) were already on the final climb of the days ride, Puerto del Viento.
The back-up car made sure the later riders were OK before taking the suitcases to the hotel in Ronda ready for the first riders.

The group were staying at the Hotel Don Miguel, which must have the best views in Ronda, over looking the famous El Tajo Gorge and Puente Nuevo (bridge). After visiting the Bull Ring (oldest in Spain) and taking numerous photographs of the bridge the group took their evening meal.

Monday 7th May 2001
Day 2: Ronda to Arcos de la Frontera
The group left Ronda in small groups and headed for the beautiful white town of Arcos de la Frontera. Maria David was the last to leave Ronda as he wanted to spend a little more time visiting the town. Although there were clear blue skies it was a little chilly as the riders left Ronda. Wild scarlet red poppies lined the the route, which took the riders through lush wheat fields and stunning cork tree forests before arriving at the beautiful white village of Grazalema. Tom Court, Hugh Ward, Chris Watts and Peter Bell were the first to arrive in Grazalema and decided it was a great place to have a coffee stop. They sat outside and watched the local men gather in the town square watching the world go by.

Today gave the locals plenty to talk about as cyclist after cyclist arrived. From Grazalema there was a short climb to the Puerto del Boyar and then a long 10 miles descent to El Bosque for lunch. After lunch there was a choice of route to Arcos de la Frontera, direct or a small loop taking in the white village of Prado del Rey. On the road to Arcos you could see the bulls (Torros) grazing amongst the cork trees.
Arcos de la Frontera is a beautiful town perched high with fantastic views over the plains from the church sqaure.
Hugh Ward & Chris Watts were one of the early arrivals into Arcos and decided to go sight seeing before checking in to the hotel. They got split up in the narrow streets, became disorientated and spent over an hour trying to find the hotel!

Tuesday 8th May 2001
Day 3: Arcos de la Frontera to Olvera
We woke to a part cloudy day and rain was forecast for the afternoon!! Todays ride took the group passed the white villages of Bornos & Villamartin before lunch at Algodonales. After lunch was one of the prettiest parts of the whole tour as the route takes you through the beautiful white villages of El Gastor, Setenil, Torre Alhaqime before arriving at the hill top white town of Olvera.

Tom was having problems with punctures, and Liam with a sore backside after 3 days in the saddle.
We spent the night at the Hotel Sierra y Cal http://www.cadiz.org/tugasa and after a great meal we watched the Leeds v Valencia semi finals of the Champions league with the locals in the bar. I had to hide my face, coming from Leeds, as they lost 3-0 to Valencia. The locals thought it funny as my wife is Spanish and comes from near Valencia.....

Wednesday 9th May 2001
Day 4: Olvera to Carmona
We woke to rain!! surely not in Andalucia, and even the locals said it wasn't normal.......In between the showers the group set of in little groups, but a few miles down the road the rain had stopped and it was starting to brighten up. As each day I left after the last rider and passed almost all the group (except Hugh,Chris & Peter) on the climb to Pruna where I waited. Whilst waiting Andrew told me he'd seen Hugh, Chris & Peter leaving Pruna on the wrong road. I quickly chased after them and sure enough I caught them on the road to Algamitas.

The group made it to El Arahal for lunch just before a torrential rain storm which passed whilst the group eat pizzas & sandwiches. After lunch the sun came out and was quite warm for the afternoon jaunt to Carmona. From El Arahal to Carmona it is quite a rough road, but not as rough as I imagined as parts were dug up and new tarmac being laid. Should be a better surface next year.
All the group arrived early at Carmona, where we spent the night at the excellent 4* Hotel Alcazar de la Reina http://www.alcazardelareina.com
Maria checked in and took the 4pm bus to Seville whilst others walked round the quaint streets of the historical town of Carmona.

Thursday 10th May 2001
Day 5: Carmona to Cordoba
The sun was back with us, although a misty start over the plains of Andalucia, but this was soon burnt off by the sun.
I was joined in the car by Jemma who had been up all night with sickness. I must admit I wasn't feeling that well too. The mornings ride took the group through wheat fields and then alongside the fertile banks of the Guadalquivir river to Posadas where lunch was taken.
Tom was on a mission (punctures forbidding) to get to Cordoba in time to visit the city and the famous Mezquita.
We spent the night at the 4* Parador hotel on the outskirts of Cordoba http://www.parador.es and had an excellent evening meal, buffet style.....

Friday 11th May 2001
Day 6: Cordoba to Antequera
You could tell at breakfast that today was going to be a very hot day, and it was......
There were more causalties of sickness and Jemmas farther John and Andrew had come down with the bug. Jemma was feeling better and started the ride. Andrew was in the van but John decided to ride and see how he felt. It wasn't long after leaving Carmona that he decided to get in the van.
Todays ride took us through the beautiful undulating countryside of Olive groves and vineyards. We stopped in Mortilla to buy Olive Oil for £7 for 5 lites and Mortilla Fino (dry sherry) for £1 per bottle from the Union Co-Op.

At Mortilla Jemma got in the van, still not well.....and Liam was suffering with his backside (even with 2 pairs of shorts on), riding a bit and walking a bit!!!!!!
After lunch in Aguilar the afternoons ride was magical, riding through the lanes of Olive groves & vineyards with the sun on your back.
Tom was suffering more puntures!!! and we had lost Liam. We went back looking form them and found Tom with Lois, but no sign of Liam. Later in the afternoon I got a call on the mobile, it was Liam, he got lost after lunch and was riding on the main road to Antequera. He was suffering with his backside and needed collecting by the van.
We spent the night at the 3* Hotel Parador in Antequera http://www.parador.es which enjoyed great views over the plains, which was a great end to a great tour of Andalucia and its white villages.

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