Exploring the Empty Spanish Backcountry | Bikepacking Spain

After climbing up out of the Júcar Gorge we find ourselves on a large plateau. It’s a big contrast being out in the open and able to see for miles around us again. Then we receive an unexpected call that changes all our plans for the coming months. After contemplating our options we switch course and luck provides us a chance to head down another great bikepacking trail… but unfortunately the direction is back home!
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a Special Thanks 🙏🏼

[@sedricmalonejr]

Luxury problems (a life time of adventure) take it all in and enjoy it for the rest of us! Tell Mom and Dad a follower said "Hello"..😊

[@cubgsan]

Good day to you! I am a senior rider on HONDA motorcycle from Japan. I am enjoying camping ,touring and upload video. Your cycling video is so nice! Awesome! Have a nice day my friend!

[@WheelstoWander]

Thank you for the nice words :) Wishing you all the best! E&M

[@washingtonco.insider713]

The wide shot of the old woman walking with a cane was great. Love those intimate moments.

[@MrJx4000]

Yeah, she looked like she was wanting to talk to somebody, just to have some company no doubt, probably very quiet and lonely in that rural area.

[@WheelstoWander]

She was definitely looking for a little chat, indeed a very rural and quiet town. Probably a rare sight, to see two people make dinner on a stove in their town square :)

[@harryhaller4094]

wow! fantastic spanish. I wouldn't have imagine.

[@WheelstoWander]

😊🙏

[@matsuymarin]

0:40 😂 You two are the best.

[@WheelstoWander]

😊

[@nikcname]

amazing journey and looking forward for the next one.

[@chargeriderepeat7024]

great video, I motorbiked across Spain in the 90s, can be quite eerie in the remote areas, completely empty towns.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thank you! We never felt it to be eerie but than again we only did a small bit 😅 More exploring to do! All the best, E&M

[@yellowbicycleartstudio8974]

Another beautiful video! Thank you so much! Safe travels!

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks & All the best, E&M :)

[@CristianTituRaicu]

Wonderful country, I intend to cross Spain by foot end of this summer.

[@WheelstoWander]

We wish you lots of fun and hopefully no blisters ;)

[@zarb88]

Eric glad you weren’t hurt on your crash

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Zarb 🙏

[@peterweber4094]

I have been watching your videos for some time. Thank you for sharing its really inspirational. Planning my own long distance tour for early next year. Keep up the good work excellent production.

[@WheelstoWander]

Great to hear that Peter! Wishing you a great tour 💪🏼

[@pawelzochniak3087]

Another great episode :-) You are awesome guys. You are doing a great job, the level of your videos, for me, exceeds all the others I watch on You Tube. Best for you Pawel ;-)

[@WheelstoWander]

😊 Thank you Pawel!!

[@dr.hasanhabiburrahaman1553]

Nice

[@reinhardnobel9403]

Hallo reizigers, Zal jullie niet langer volgen omdat ik zelf heb besloten om de wereld te gaan verkennen. Ben 51 en wilde al enige tijd lekker gaan fietsen zonder dat je op tijd ergens moet zijn of weer terug moet. Wilde geen stress en haast meer. Heb mijn huisje verkocht,baan opgezegt en mijn spullen weggegeven. Heb wel een vakantiehuisje in Zweden gekocht vanwaaruit ik steeds weer een nieuwe trip zal plannen. (En de kinderen eventueel heen kunnen komen) Ik vond het altijd erg leuk om jullie filmpjes te bekijken. Bedankt voor de informatie die jullie deelden. Misschien komen wij (mijn hond en ik) jullie wel een keer onderweg tegen. Wens jullie veel geluk en blijf lekker fietsen,er zijn altijd paden die je nog niet kent. Met vriendelijke groeten Reinhard.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Reinhard! Wat een geweldig vooruitzicht zeg 💛 We wensen je succes en heel veel plezier met je tocht, en wie weet tot onderweg...!

[@bikinmike3274]

You guys are the best! - Patreon Michael Cook

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Michael, I feel like you keep on changing your name 😊 Glad you still enjoy them!!

[@moabit]

In all these empty or lost places there mostly enough space for fantasy. Thanks for this 'twisted' 🚴🚴‍♂episode❗

[@WheelstoWander]

😂 Haha, Thanks! All the best, E&M

[@p.g.reitsma7245]

I understand fully what the Austrian gentleman said about being in a place that is open and allows one to see off into the distance. I grew up near Vancouver, which feels closed in to me, now that I have been living in central Alberta for 9 years. I very much enjoy your presentations and the great detail of the specific geography, the routes you take, the food you prepare and the contact with family back home. Your Dutch accents are very nice to hear also.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thank you 🙏 Interesting! I've never really realised it untill he explained it to me and I have a total new appreciation for our wide open spaces 💛

[@Vamosquesepuede2022]

Estaré recorriendo España en bicicleta el próximo mes, soy de Chile, gracias por sus videos, con ustedes estoy aprendiendo ingles ❤️

[@reeceholmes8546]

very quiet, beautiful scenery, thanks guys, great stuff

[@AmbientWalking]

Amazing! Very happy to go on a journey with you! Thanks!

[@SeekingSnow]

Great episode! Looking forward to your next one.

[@jairoribeiro2029]

Very nice that you speak Spanish, you can communicate very well with the Brazilian people when you decide to do the South America, it is close enough to brazilian portuguese to have a nice conversation with anyone here.

[@WheelstoWander]

That sounds great Jairo! We would love to visit in Brazil one day :) All the best, E&M

[@jairoribeiro2029]

@@WheelstoWander , If you do, will be my honor to host you guys for one or two days for a rest and do whatever necessary. I live very close to São Paulo City in São Paulo state.

[@mansouriyoussef3897]

that's amazing to share your wonderful bicycle trip.thank you

[@bazasmith]

Wonderful quality of video storytelling - always beautiful. I love how you take the changes to your travels in stride and with calm. You are very kind to your folks - but having gear there (particularly having lost some) would make one more inclined to change plans! Smelled the garlic of the film before I got the notification! 😄 Safe travels and looking forward to your next instalment and wishing you well!

[@WheelstoWander]

Haha, yeah can imagine it can penetrate through the screen 😅 Yes that's the main reason, but some new exciting plans are coming up!!

[@sandraderby1628]

Thank you for sharing! I always feel like I've learned so much through your travels. 🇺🇲

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Sandra! 😊

[@michaeledwards7967]

I love the way you just move easily to the new situation. As you say, it is important to be flexible as we never know what life brings to our door. A lot of my best stories come from such changes of plan. Michael from Ireland

[@WheelstoWander]

Absolutely, that's why we often love to just go, without planning anything 😊

[@ReimaginedAdventures]

Always inspiring us !! Videography so dynamic !!

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Guys :) All the best, E&M

[@VicenteM]

Greetings from Albacete. Nice video.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Vicente :)

[@michaelhawkins7995]

Another excellent episode guys. You really do present the whole experience so very well,with professional standard filming/editing,whilst keeping the very genuine qualities in front of camera. Outstanding. Hope all goes well with the change of plan/detour. All the very best.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Michae, we try to be ourselves so thanks! It's going well and we have some new exciting plans coming up...

[@madisondeans5566]

Whoop,Whoop,can't get enough,videography always interesting! Keep on wandering!

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Madison!!

[@petergarner]

Another wonderful video. I love how you two roll with the punches. One of the many life lessons that cycle touring teaches us. Muchas gracias!

[@WheelstoWander]

Absolutely, a good skill to have for all aspects in life! 👍

[@davidp7414]

So many cool camera angles and edits, thank you

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks David! 😊

[@larryreily4736]

Me too, Maudi, sunrises and sunsets are my greatest joy of camping.

[@WheelstoWander]

They never seem to grow old... ☀️

[@teri2494]

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful area of Spain. Thinking of you as you adjust your plans. I have no doubt something equally exciting is around the corner for the two of you.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Teri, yes we have some cool plans in the prospect 😃

[@Grosmeo]

I love you guys. I enjoy watching your videos . You have a nice and healthy connection together.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Pepe! 🙏

[@Bernhard20Zoll]

Hello, I don't know exactly how you do it, but you transport moods and atmosphere exceptionally well. Thanks, it's always a pleasure. Eric, what make is your saddle? Best regards and see you soon Bernard

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks 🙏😊 It's the 'infinity bike seat'

[@karlkeesman2055]

Thanks for that. It brought back memories from my cycle trip from North Holland to Madrid and back, some 40 years ago. Looks like the roads have gotten better and views are still the same "beautiful"

[@WheelstoWander]

That is great to hear Karl :) It sure was a treat to cycle there. Best wishes, E&M

[@stewheart]

Bigup your sponsors coffee and frozen veg 😊

[@WheelstoWander]

Hehe... yeah, what about it!? 😋

[@ERakko-rd8eh]

God bless! 👍

[@azmirulaswad811]

you two have intersting characters👍🏻

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks! We hope in a good way 😉

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

I did enjoy maudi thanks 😊.

[@WheelstoWander]

You too David 😊

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

@@WheelstoWander be safe guys the world is a strange place right now.

[@timothyvanpelt_cyclist]

Great video. Seems like your bicycle touring all the time, haha, I'm jealous. But luckily I'm going to cycle through Norway this summer.

[@WheelstoWander]

Most of the time we are with stationary periods in between ;) Great to hear you are going to Norway, such an incredible place! We wish you lots of fun, E&M

[@PlanetaCicloviajero]

Muy buena pronunciacion Maudi, cada vez mejor.

[@WheelstoWander]

Gracias!! 😊

[@mwe1337]

Absolutely love your videos and adventures. When are you going to come to Australia? It's a bicycle touring wonderland out here. All the best from Australia 👍

[@WheelstoWander]

Oh yes we hear, very diverse and great offroad options!! Sounds good to us... for now still closer to home but who knows!! 🙂

[@emausderratsuchende5447]

I worked in Madrid in the 90s and regularly went on weekend day trips on a gravel bike or MTB. Rural exodus has always been a problem, entire villages were completely empty and what was even worse, there was no water, the wells had dried up. The maps did not show whether a village was still inhabited or not, which often led to dangerous situations. The tours themselves were great, the atmosphere unique, like in the middle ages.Greetings from Germany

[@WheelstoWander]

Wauw that must have been different, without digital devices too .. We can imagine that must have felt like real adventure... It still feels very desolate and uninhabited in some parts, we're happy that the water situation has improved though 😬

[@emausderratsuchende5447]

@@WheelstoWander The tours in the summer months are only possible from sunrise to around 1 p.m., then it got unbearably hot. Water was always an issue because, due to the lack of springs, there were mostly cisterns that often only contained spoiled water. Vultures offered the best orientation....you had to look along the horizon and where they were circling, people mostly still lived. When I took a break that lasted longer than 15 minutes, the vultures were already eyeing me from above....the tours were real adventures. The starting point was Madrid in the direction of Segovia/Avilar

[@jucimarmigueldariz6865]

Gostei das aventuras de vcs,tbm fui aventureiro mas eu tinha um reboque pra levar o peso e a bike corria leve.

[@silentmode]

Austrich babeeehh hahaha nice

[@WheelstoWander]

😁

[@Watashi10]

Hi guys! I Love your videos! What kind of bikes do you have? Thanks.

[@commoneuropeanstarling]

please come to the centre of Spain!

[@WheelstoWander]

I'm sure we will, we want to see it all!! We love to ride in Spain, beautiful nature, friendly people... 👌

[@johangeens1673]

😍❤

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

It's a shame you have to return to move belongings and clean the house but it reminds me of the old saying; Life is what happens while we are making other plans. Adventure always brings surprises✌

[@WheelstoWander]

Was thinking about that quote lately, nice one!! 🙂

[@miguelruiz-larrea1314]

Your Spanish is pretty good!!

[@WheelstoWander]

Gracias!!

[@miguelruiz-larrea1314]

Let me know if you think to cycle across Asturias at some point. I’ll love to meet you guys

[@marksadventures3889]

Hola, como estas? Espero que nuestro clima sea bueno y ambos estén a salvo y haciendo esas millas. I like to try some Spanish for future tours.

[@WheelstoWander]

Un idioma muy útil y hermoso para aprender, especialmente si planeas viajar en América del Sur :-)

[@colinbarnes1501]

Tell us about that saddle Eric!

[@WheelstoWander]

Haha, yes! It is an Infinity Seat. My old Brooks B17 was the most comfortable saddle I ever used but not perfect. This is one step up for me, helping to take away the pressure on the perineum and sit bones. I found it secondhand for a very agreeable price. New they are expensive though.

[@ozthunder]

Does 'the rain in Spain falls mostly on the plain?' looked rather dry to me...lol..looking forward to more of your adventures.

[@WheelstoWander]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think i Northwest Spain falls the most rain every year... In the part where we're riding is very little rainfall but when it does, it can be quite severe!

[@ozthunder]

@@WheelstoWander Hi, the phrase "The rain in Spain falls mostly on the Plain" is an old phrase that was used to teach English pronunciation to people learning English. You are correct the NW would be wettest!

[@WheelstoWander]

Nice fact! 👌

[@cyclingaroundtheglobe]

Andalu-SeeYa! (I'll let myself out:)

[@WheelstoWander]

😅

[@javireyesnespral]

Yo! That ajo and perejil is not meant to be eaten like that!!! It's a seasoning for some spanish dishes! Very garlic ... 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@WheelstoWander]

Hahaha! I know, but I love it 😍

[@javireyesnespral]

@@WheelstoWander I bought a Brompton electric a few days ago and I'm thinking about making a small trip around Castilla la Mancha next week. Your video has come really handy!

[@antoluce]

hello .sigo vuestris videos y me encantan.Podriais subtitular los videos en español. Gracias

[@WheelstoWander]

Hola Antonio, Nos gustaría hacer eso en el futuro. Por el momento lleva mucho tiempo hacer una traducción de buena calidad. Gracias y Saludos, E&M

[@antoluce]

@@WheelstoWander Thank you very much for answering. I love the videos. If you need anything, let me know. We are from Montilla, Córdoba. country people are not educated and leave everywhere. A hug

[@joaomarveloso1049]

Thank you for the nice video. Do you have a link of the video gear you use by any chance?

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks! The following video is not completely up to date but should give a good overview of what we carry: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqHUXmBvbdpogsU

[@joaomarveloso1049]

@@WheelstoWander Thank you :)

[@user-om2yi9jy5k]

Maroc جميل

[@rolandscutchings3195]

Hi Eric. I noticed you are riding an Infinity bike saddle. How do you like it compared to some of the others eg. Brooks, etc? I ride a Brooks B17 and find it comfortable but still find pressure on my perineum area which causes some numbness in my legs. I have looked at the Infinity saddle and it looks interesting but they are relatively expensive. What are your thoughts on this saddle?

[@WheelstoWander]

My Brooks B17 was the most comfortable saddle I ever used but not perfect. The Infinity Seat is one step up for me, helping to take away the pressure on the perineum and sit bones. I found it secondhand for a very agreeable price. New they are expensive indeed! To be perfect though I wish it was a tad bit wider at the back so my sit bones would "fall into" the opening just that bit better. I hope this helps :)

[@nuoutdoor]

a lot a garlic :-)

[@WheelstoWander]

😜

[@garylindberg2492]

Eric, I noticed that you no longer are using your Brooks saddle. Please tell us what saddle you are using. Thanks!

[@WheelstoWander]

It is a Infinity Seat which I bought second hand. They are expensive but I feel it is an upgrade to the Brooks. Would you be interested in a full review? Thanks

[@roberthunter5398]

do you guys ever think of south america?

[@WheelstoWander]

Absolutely... It's definitely on our mind. But for now we stay closer to home, some exciting plans coming up 😊

[@juanmarin6340]

Would you be so kind to answer my question? Where do you get those beautiful maps that you use in the videos? thanks for your videos

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Juan! Eric makes them and it takes a lot of work, he basically makes screenshots of google maps, stitches them together in photoshop and layers them in After Effects... a lot of work. There's a great plugin called Geolayers which is supposed to make this process much easier, we're now experimenting with the trial version to see if it's worth the costs.

[@juanmarin6340]

@@WheelstoWander I love it! when I see the maps with the animations I am bewitched. Congratulations!

[@Gib-Barton]

Hope you will be calling in to Gibraltar. A different place in the south. Hope to see you here. Leave a message if you are.

[@WheelstoWander]

Perhaps we will next winter Nigel, but no definite plans... :)

[@karinacabrerizo2968]

So, are you now heading back to the Netheerlands?

[@WheelstoWander]

We are back for a short while but go on a longer tour in May :-)

[@karanbohara3973]

Cycling is difficult in summer season.

[@WheelstoWander]

Indeed, it can be very hot here in summer!

[@sharkmentality9717]

Wait when that happens! ..lol Mom, can't you hire a cleaning service?

[@antoniocruz8083]

@@pauldraaijer5265 Dont you know that services cost money? And 1. in europe labor is not cheap like in Asia, 2. There is a lack of labour, everybody already has a fulltime job (they need it to survive) and no one is waiting around for the odd job so it is difficult to get someone to go out of his routine, to go work after hours, to do one single job. On the contrary, for example, in the US, services are quick to get done because there are many immigrants and unqualified labour is cheap compared to the average qualified wages.

[@michaelhawkins7995]

I think they mentioned picking up gear they left there?

[@antoniocruz8083]

@@pauldraaijer5265 Those are the official number but in reality every adult has some kind of income, otherwise they would starve, be it legal work, paid cash with no taxes, retirement or unemployment money. Nobody needs or wants to earn a little extra by doing an odd job, especially the unemployed ones who might loose their benefits. If you ever tried to find someone to do the odd job you would know that you need to look for south Americans and there just aren't enough of them on Spain. In any case I have the feeling our cycling friends are using this as an excuse to turn around. Maybe they are tired of the flat landscape, but I could be wrong. If they kept going there is still a lot of beautiful scenery such as 3500m Sierra Nevada and further on Sierra de Grazalema. But if they turn around it is also beautiful and later they could do the entire green north coast and especially Galicia, countouring all the rías, the best bike tour I ever made.

[@WheelstoWander]

@ Shark Mentality, we are the cleaning service 😃

[@brahimbouragaa695]

Come to Morocco

[@WheelstoWander]

We have plans for that, don't know when that will come to fruition though ...

[@brahimbouragaa695]

@@WheelstoWander you are welcome at any time

[@pauldarbishire7226]

"Carry me caravan, take me away, Take me to Portugal, take me to Spain, Andalucia with fields full of grain, I want to see you again and again ". "Spanish Caravan" by The Doors, from the album "Waiting for the Sun" cerca 1967.

[@WheelstoWander]

Nice, I'm going to have a listen to that song 🎶

[@pauldarbishire7226]

@@WheelstoWander I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed following your channel for the last 2 years.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Paul, we recognize people that are here from the start! 🙏 Ps. was it you that told us about the 'casa de campo' ? We have added a voice over in our next video referring to your comment 😊

[@pauldarbishire7226]

@@WheelstoWander yes, it was me. I have lived in a tiny, inland village of 700 people in southern Catalunya for 26 years. 1 of my neighbours is a Professor of History and a constant source of information on the local cultural and social norms.

[@edscoble]

Can you make your content accessible by formatting the auto captioning into closed captioning? It is extremely hard to enjoy your content having to keep concentration on the auto captioning and not be able to see your content properly sadly

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Edward, I'm not sure what that means, I'm going to have a look into it! Thanks for mentioning...

[@vikasghlo6175]

Nice