TOURS 2012
Baja 200 & 300 tours 2 or 3 days riding, staying at a local hotel near our base. A choice of 7 different routes, each approximately 170 km, about 6 hours in the saddle. Varied terrain including technical sections (optional) for the more experienced riders. These routes are suitable for the novice to advanced, however a reasonable amount of fitness is required. We offer a choice of two accommodation options located near the TBS base, for details, see the accomodation page
BAJA 500 TOUR 4 days long-distance riding with a different destination each night, covering over 800 kms through the mountains, forests and deserts of the Catalonia & Aragon regions. Pure adventure riding. Again, this tour is suitable for all riding standards though as above requires a reasonable degree of fitness.
BAJA 1000 COAST-to-COAST The big one. This tour departs from Santander on the Atlantic coast and ends at the Mediterranean. Over 1000 km across the Spanish heartlands, 4 days long distance offroading with 5 nights top quality accommodation. To undertake this tour some previous offroad experience is necessary.
Baja 200 & 300 tours - further details
The Terra Alta region offers all types of trails for the offroad enthusiast, from mountainous rocky inclines, dried-out riverbeds, or cruising through dirt tracks amongst the olive groves, almond and pines of the beautiful Burga valley. Depending on your group's ability we will cover betwen 100 and 200 kilometres per day. 85 % of the trails we use are offroad. Each day we cover a different offroad route through the region and the route is tailored to suit the group's offroad experience.
To gve you a sense of your tour, a typical day starts at 9.30 am when we meet you at the hotel or garage where the bikes are stored overnight for you. After a few kilometres on the tarmac we veer off onto the trails. On day 1 the first few kilometres offroad consists of a half-hour loop around a section of Europe's largest windfarm and we then can make any adjustments to your bike's handlebars and levers that are needed. Next we head onwards on to some slightly more challenging trails and then approach the River Ebro crossing leading into the casteller village of Miravet where we stop for a three-course lunch.
After a well-earned rest, we are back on the trails for the afternoon exploring the Cor d'Ebre mountains, where the endgame of the Spanish Civil War was played out. We return along the varied trails of the Burga valley, crossing the ridges of Cabra Feixet mountain, & ending with a spectacular view of the vast Ebro delta where the river meets the Mediterranean. We return to base around 5pm.
On other days trail riding tours might be through winegrowing slate-fields high in the Priorat mountains with their saw-tooth ranges, or the more challenging Ports National Park route through the spectacular rock formations & pines, eventually leaving Catalunya and entering the Spanish province of Aragon. We visit sleepy villages like Horta Sant Joan, a favourite haunt of Picasso and one of the most interesting places architecturally in the region.
Once you are back at your hotel you can relax with a well-earned beer and stroll to dinner later. A short walk along the l'Ampolla seafront takes you to the local restaurants, and the village square in Perello. After dinner you can explore the bars, beach, harbour and nitelife, or just have an early night for the next day's ride.
BAJA 500 TOUR - further details
Day 1: El Perelló - Tortosa - Valderrobes - After a first night at the welcoming Hotel Panavera, a tranquil oasis in the heart of our local village, we begin a long day's riding, first through the Terra Alta, starting low in the Burga valley then climbing through the Sierra de les Moles, across Mount Cardo & down into the regional capital of Tortosa for lunch in the beautiful indoor market. After lunch we head inland, climbing up 20 km to the top of Mount Caro, the entrance to the spectacular Ports National Park. From here we ride fast, wide tracks mixed with steep inclines through the pine forests of the Sierra de les Escales. After an optional swim in the Penarroya lagoon, we head to our destination, the mediaeval town of Valderrobes, staying in the well-appointed Hotel Salt right next to the old walled town itself.
Day 2: Valderrobes - Belmont - Valderrobes - today we will cover approximately 200 km, initially through the tight & twisty forest tracks of the Sierra de Penarroya. After a hearty lunch in a traditional Aragonese restaurant, we head out into desert terrain, home of the famous Spanish Baja raid. Here we cover a 60 km fast special stage from last year's event, then climbing back across the Sierra de Penarroya & back down into Valderrobes for our second night at the Hotel Salt. As on all other evenings, the assistance truck will be waiting with our luggage and spares, etc.
Day 3: Valderobes - Falset - Prades - an early start today as again we have over 200 km to cover. After breakfast it's onwards towards Gandesa, across the stunning northern edges of the Ports National Park, passing through the beautiful village of Horta Sant Joan, and then on towards our lunch stop in Falset, capital of the Priorat wine-making region. Following lunch a long afternoon's riding takes us to the breathtaking views & rock formations of the Montsant National Park, climbing up to the village of Siurana on it's mountain edge. Then a rocky hour's riding to tonight's destination, Prades, and a well-earned night's sleep in the lovely Hotel Espasa.
Day 4: Prades - Vandellos - El Perelló - last day's riding......by now we are in a rhythm and just don't want this to end. Another long ride, dropping down from the Montsant Park, passing through Priorat and arriving for lunch in the village of Vandellos, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra d'Almos. Our last challenge is to climb this mountain range, riding on fairly technical rocky tracks and eventually descending back into the Burga valley & our final destination of El Perelló: back to base and one good last night out to really celebrate the tour.
