Cycling your way through Spain and Portugal

  • Home >
  • News >
  • Cycling your way through Spain and Portugal

Cycling your way through Spain and Portugal
Reading time: 5 minutes
Published: 18th January 2022, 1:30pm
Updated: 18th January 2022, 2:11pm

The bicycle, considered a first means of transportation dating back to 1817, and even a staple birthday gift of choice from our childhood; the excitement of seeing your first bike, adding the infamous bell, moving from three wheels to two - and the utter thrilling experience of riding it! Giving you the feeling of freedom, as the wind flashes on the face with the momentum of your feet pedalling faster, and faster.

As more lockdowns and restrictions come up due to the current pandemic, there is no wonder as to why people have resorted to finding ways to occupy themselves; or even travel in a non-traditional fashion - by bicycle! 

One of the main reasons will be to follow the social distancing regulations, getting active outside in nature, and another is to introspect; in a sense, a way of getting in touch with one’s thoughts, which is exactly why ex-London courier, and world-record long-distance cyclist, Julian Emre Sayarer set himself upon a bicycle journey through Iberia.

Julian Sayarer won back in June of 2010, the Guinness World Record (GWR) for fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle, completing a continuous cycled journey of 29,000 km (18,000 miles) in total. As Sayarer recalls, he first got more serious into cycling when he was a teenager, always making sure of racing against his fastest times; he kept the same method throughout his cycling journeys, especially on the record winning circumnavigation of the globe, making his first leg of the race from France to Shanghai.


Read More:

A Spanish “Staycation”

The home for some of the best beaches in Europe, Spain


On his journey through the Iberian region, Sayarer began his path in Lisbon, Portugal at a backstreet beside an old tram track; he finished his last meal of grilled sardines, and as he missed a few cents on the bill - the Portuguese restaurant owner taped his breastbone and bid him adieu - a sort of blessing, to go health on his adventure.

Sayarer set out riding a second hand bike to the city of Barcelona, Spain; this journey was set in between two lockdowns; the ability to freely cycle was always a better option than flying back to London, as it was later declared air travel to be shut down once more.

While cycling, Sayarer reminisced of the places he has traveled through, such as the time he cycled through Palestine, by a roadside view of Israeli military occupation, and also on the occasion he was venturing through the Uyghur Region of Northwest China, where he witnessed a full shutdown of internet communication across all of the region’s 3,228 kilometres (2,000 miles). 

The past travels by bike were a complete juxtaposition between the peaceful Iberian region, even in a time of uncertainty during global pandemic; the simple act of cycling allowed a time for self-reflection, and thoughts of economy, foreign policy, and environmental impacts from the pandemic were popping up at Sayarer as he spent his afternoons at an outdoor cafe.

As Sayarer describes, “it was hard, to, not to reflect on my bicycle that was older, heavier even, and also my slower pace…”; the picturesque setting of Iberia was intentionally asking for a deeper thought, and an acknowledgement that it is indeed time to slow down, that perhaps the world is overexerting itself, in every sense of the word.

Traveling by bicycle offers a chance to indulge in the everyday, for Sayarer it was the sight of an elderly couple picking pomegranates on a sunny afternoon in a rural town of Spain; it is the act of experiencing the now as the world moves before you, while you keep on pedalling ahead of it.

Source: inews


Discover the wonders of Iberia with the best travel destinations, lifestyle tips, and property investment opportunities in Spain and Portugal with Portugal Homes, and Spanish Homes, part of the Harland & Poston Group.

Read More:

Best Things To Do In Spain - Part I

Best Things To Do In Spain - Part II


9th November 2021
Travel restrictions in a time of pandemic didn't ruin people's desire…

Buying Property in Spain

Spanish Homes has very experienced and knowledgeable professionals working with some of the most established and reputable developers Spain has to offer. Our vast experience allows us to guide you through the best investment choices.

Whether you want a holiday home or an investment property, we select the best units for your profile and take care of all the process from start to finish. Even after the sale! Our After Sales services assume the responsibility of furnishing your property at your taste, taking care of the property in your absence, managing the rentals if you wish to rent your property when you’re not in Spain and so much more!

To learn more about Spanish Homes and our After Sales services, please fill the form below.

Extremely helpful and professional. A pleasure to meet you!

Client from Hong Kong

Ryan is fantastic. Very helpful, nice and professional. He provides swift responses to me whenever I raise him a question.

Client from Hong Kong

Thank you. Lovely experience with all of the staff. George was very helpful, knowledgeable and had a good grasp of the financials. Will recommend Spanish Homes to friends. Also excellent experience with the After Sales - very helpful.

Investor

Very knowledgeable and professional, able to provide clear advice that meets my need such that I can make decision quickly. Efficient and energetic team.

Investor from Hong Kong

Simon has been wonderful to work with. We did not feel pushed in any way.

Investor from USA

Overwhelming. Luisa has exceeded our expectations on all levels. Trust was established immediately. Enhanced by super friendly professionalism. The networks to banks, accountants, lawyers was seamless. there is not enough space here to write all the positives, enough to say we are making an offer and we only arrived 4 days ago. Its impossible to improve from perfection!

Investor