Boasting famous red wines and mouth-watering meats, La Rioja is one of the well-known foodie hotspots of Spain. What’s more, its historical villages and spectacular hilltop views make it the perfect place to enjoy a self-guided cycling holiday. Introducing, Gourmet Rioja…

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[caption id="attachment_19390" align="alignnone" width="900"] La Rioja vineyards, Spain.[/caption]

In a nutshell:

Where is it? Starting in the medieval village of Ãbalos in the heart of La Rioja, you’ll enjoy loop cycles around the area’s rolling hills and vineyards before following the River Ebro south to enjoy the pilgrim stopover of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, finishing in the serene town of Ezcaray. Distance: 196 – 212km Grading: An easy to moderate cycling holiday, Gourmet Rioja has daily distances of around 20km – 40km. With 8 days and 7 nights of cycling, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and refuel with some of the delicious local cuisine! [caption id="attachment_19389" align="alignnone" width="900"] Elcieo, Spain.[/caption]

Why cycle Gourmet Rioja? 

• Pair your well-earned glass of vino with the area's rich and deliciously simple dishes - full of spiced potatoes, lamb, peppers and asparagus. La Rioja is also known for its sausage making (hello, chorizo!) as well as the ‘pinchos’ that you'll no doubt come to love during your week of cycling in the Spanish sun.

• You'll enjoy stays in some truly unique hotels, including a former Baroque monastery at the foot of the Sierra Demanda, and a relaxing hotel with a vineyard in Ãbalos.

• Boasting the  birthplace of the Spanish language (Yuso and Suso Monasteries - a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and a stopover for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (Santo Domingo de la Calzada), history buffs will have plenty to discover in this ancient region of Spain. 

  [caption id="attachment_19393" align="alignnone" width="900"] Traditional Basque pintxos (pinchos).[/caption]

Planning and preparation:

Gourmet Rioja Cycling is available from March to November, with departure dates available on any weekday. To get to your starting point of Ãbalos, the nearest airport is Bilbao (around 84km away) which has direct flights from the UK operated by EasyJet. As each day will involve around 3 hours of cycling, we recommend doing some training before your departure date to make sure you enjoy your time in the saddle. [caption id="attachment_19391" align="alignnone" width="900"] Yuso Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site.[/caption]

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For any questions about La Rioja or any of our other cycling adventures, get in touch with our team at: info@macsadventure.com