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09 May

Cycling solo through half of Spain: 580km of unpredictability -Day 1

Posted 9. May 2017 By Monika Sattler

I am sitting at the curb in front of a gas station in remote Spain eating two greasy sandwiches with unidentifiable ingredients.
I don’t recall the name of the town, maybe it has none? It does not matter, this is just a very deserted area.
I am alternating between being deeply engaged with my cell phone and observing the truck drivers who are curiously passing by. They probably wonder why a woman in cycling clothes is sitting by herself at a curb of a gas station in remote Spain.
If they knew what I am up to.
Monika, focus! Back to the cell phone. Will you keep going or find a hotel here?
It is 5pm, plenty of daylight left. Shall I risk it?
Ok! Why not!
But I should have known better. It is day 3 and I know what will be ahead.

The beginning of a 580km cycling adventure through Spain.

I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s start from the beginning.
I recently moved from Australia to Spain. I love Spain and found a great cycling community here. But my inquisitive nature wanted to know what is beyond the daily cycling routes. Spain is huge so there is so much to explore. I decided a cycling trip from the capital Madrid back home would satisfy my curiosity – at least for a while. I packed a tiny bag with the bare essentials and off I was leaving Madrid heading South. I let myself guided by an online map. 530km so it said.

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The first 60km I was accompanied by two newly made friends, Alvaro and Slahde. The first day was short due to a late start. After 70km I called it a day. I was disappointed but I knew I shouldnt keep going. I promised myself to make day 2 epic though!
I got into a rural hotel in Chinchon, bought food from the supermarket, washed my cycling kit since I only had one and looked at a map for the first time of the trip.
Besides of a rough estimate of the total distance I had no idea about the route. I decided to take a closer look and planned a destination for the following day. Since day 1 was such a short day of 70km, I wanted to make day 2 long. If everything is going well, I could ride 250km I told myself.
But soon I would learn, this trip had its own timeline, not the one I set.
I was dreaming of an epic day.
And surely, tomorrow would not disappoint.
In different ways than I thought though. But that is for the next post.

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Tags: cycling adventure Spain, Cycling through Spain, Madrid to Motril
Comments
  1. May, 10, 2017 6:32 PM
    Murphy

    I can’t wait to see the rest of this!

    Log in to Reply
  2. Sep, 21, 2017 9:18 PM
    Living the dream as a full-time adventure cyclist (Dont pinch me, if this is a dream, I dont want to wake up) | RAD Monika

    […] Cycling solo through half of Spain: 580km of unpredictability -Day 1 […]

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  3. Sep, 22, 2017 12:26 AM
    Summer review: Races, photo-shootings, publications, ideal winter residence, lessons learned and what's next? | RAD Monika

    […] Cycling solo through half of Spain: 580km of unpredictability -Day 1 […]

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What a beautiful ride across the Euschelspass toda What a beautiful ride across the Euschelspass today. It is a very quiet road with amazing views on both sides. 
On the Jaun side, this pass is steep and paved. On the Schwarzsee side, it is steep and gravel. Your pick what you prefer for ascending and descending. I definitely prefer the gravel on the descend.

📸@matthieupellaton

#euschelspass #cyclingswitzerland
#cycling
#iloveswitzerland #whataview #gravelcycling
The other day I was asked if I am not scared of fa The other day I was asked if I am not scared of failing the upcoming challenge. The answer is: of course! But instead of focusing on all the things that can go wrong (and they are plenty!), I am thinking of all the great moments that already happened and will happen, especially all the great people who have and will join this journey! Thank you! 🙏🤩

📸@rutschste 

@cervelo @polartecfabric #cyclingchallenge #cyclingadventures #velo #124spc
How many passes per day for the 124 Swiss Passes C How many passes per day for the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge:

The 124 Swiss passes are distributed across 26 stages (4 'spare' days) from 2 passes per day (mostly in the Alps) up to 13 passes per day (Jura). 

If you have any questions about this challenge, feel free to share them in the comments. ☺️

📸@rutschste (an old pic from last week as it was raining today)

#124spc
#cycling
#veloadventure #cervelo #polartec @cervelo
Today was a beautiful ride across the Glaubenbiele Today was a beautiful ride across the Glaubenbielenpass and Glaubenbergpass.
Both passes I will ride being well into the challenge.
Glaubenberg, I will ride on stage 20 with Rengg, Schüpferegg, Schallenberg and Fritzflue

Glaubenbiehlerpass, I will ride on Stage 21 with Brünig and Ächerlipass

Two tough days before heading to Valais for more tough days. 😅

This is going to be epic! 

#124spc
Meine Story, meine Mission und der Grund, warum ic Meine Story, meine Mission und der Grund, warum ich alle 124 Schweizer Pässe mit dem Velo fahre, jetzt in @tagesanzeiger @bernerzeitung.ch @derbund @baslerzeitung_baz 

Vielen Dank, Philipp für das super Gespräch! 

#124spc
“We have two lives, and the second begins when w “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”

- Confucius
Good morning Monday! ☀️ What a weekend! Film Good morning Monday! ☀️

What a weekend! Film shooting until 1am with scenes in the swimming pool, fitness studio, performance test and an interview. An intense but fun time. Now heading back to 🇨🇭 to continue the training. ⛰️🚴⛰️🚴⛰️

#weekend #124spc
My mission with the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge goe My mission with the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge goes beyond setting a cycling record. I aim to inspire others, especially women, to go outside their comfort zone and pursue big goals.

A documentary will be made about this challenge that will tell the full story. The first film shoot is this weekend. 

#inspire #beyourself #getoutsideyourcomfortzone #goforyourgoals #makethingshappen
So excited about having received today the road bi So excited about having received today the road bike I will tackle the 124 Swiss Passes Challenge with:
The @cervelo Caledonia. 🥳And with that, I finally can announce my new partnership with @sramroad which I am very excited about! 🎉🎉🎉

A huge thanks 🙏 to @cervelo and @sramroad for making this happen! I cant wait to ride this beauty up every @swisstopo pass in Switzerland! ⛰️🇨🇭⛰️🇨🇭⛰️

#cervelo
@zippspeed
#newbikeday
#zippwheels
#roadbike
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