Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Joyriders Spain













Cordoba Spain

The weather god conspired on me and the other riders last week at the mountain bike 'Joyriders' centre an hour north of Malaga.
When I arrived the rain was bouncing off the tarmac and as I discovered that day the normal local trails were unridable, this meant the riding area would be a bit further afield above Cordoba away from the local clay.
First day was a sort of assessment day, riding the wooded hills above Cordoba on some nice mainly untechnical single track and with occassional lovely views over the town.
The next day (Wednesday) was the normal rest day and the guide was off to do some trail clearing.
Three of us went along to get out and about and I had a nice day pottering about on trails near the clearing area finishing on a rather enjoyabe downhill and single track back to the bus.
The third day dawned dull and during the climb to the highest point above Cordoba the heavens opened, we abandoned the ride.
The next day looked much the same so the Saturday rest day was brought forward, I did get out for a little cycle though around a very nice little road loop before retreating in the face of threatening rain.

Saturday was more like Spain, the sun was shining and we were taken on a modified local run to keep out of the worst of the clay trails.
What a run! It was absolutely magnificent, through the north west part of the Sierra Subbeticas, starting at the high point Ermita de la Sierra, a short climb followed by a thrilling little zig zag mule path down from the summit, over an open plateau, single track along the hillside and a marvellous descent along another zig zagging mule track to Zuheros village, a long long climb, followed by a fabulous downhill through the Rio Ballon Gorge to a late lunch at Zuheros.

Last day dawned bright again but it was back to the hills of Cordoba to complete the loop we were rain off on Thursday, the last bit of the trail is a roller coaster ride of technical downhill and one of the party had a very nasty fall.
It took us an hour to walk him out to the nearest house and the waiting ambulance.
He sustained a broken shoulder, collar bone and ribs, very very nasty.

The Joyrider centre is run by Garry and Judeth, very nice friendly people, its a bit like a high class hostel, breakfast is a help yourself affair. You get transported to the rides in a mini bus and guided around the trails.
In the evening its down to a local restaurant for meal and drinks then back to the house for TV/ DVD/ games and free drink.

The trails looked great especially the more local area in the Subbeticas Park, but due to the weather and bad luck I didn't get the best of it, however Garry and Jude have made a very kind offer of a free holiday to make up for my bad luck, so it looks like I'll be going back to sample some more of what looks like great trails.
I just hope next time my luck holds up.

Short video of the trails and area here.

Some photos here.

5 Comments:

Blogger Jinxx said...

Was the bike a rental, or did you take your own over.

And was this what you were training for, or is that still to come

9:22 PM  
Blogger Whee said...

Yes rental bikes Specialised stumpjumper comp, lovely full suspension bikes. I'm glad I hired full sus it made the experience that much better.
Yes again thats what the training was all about and I'm glad I did there were some tough old climbs but some great downhills as well.

9:01 AM  
Blogger Jinxx said...

Shiny, do you reckon that you will upgrade to a full suspension bike for over here.

Been reading a book on the River Ayr Way,its full of cracking info, not much use to me for mountain biking, but gives a load of loacl history

9:43 AM  
Blogger Whee said...

I'm happy with my hardtail with suspension seat post, its served me well. Most of the trails I do aren't that rough so I'll stick with it.

Its nice to get some background on the places you go, I like info on things I come across rather than thing that have disappeared

10:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Howard.
Alan - I met you for 3 days at Joyriders. I have viewed your photo's and video - brought back some memories.
Cannot find your email address.
Mine is a.hulbert@trinityhigh.com - let me know yopurs.

8:16 PM  

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