Craig has been obsessed with cycling for many years now, and after enjoying many cycling adventures of his own in Europe an idea formed to buy a house abroad and start to host cycling groups. But Spain was never the intention!
We started looking at France, famed for cycling and Le Tour, but both of us were in full time employment at that point and after much research and trawling round property shows we were struggling to find somewhere we could fly to easily for a long weekend from our home in the North West of England.
A chance conversation at one of these exhibitions led to us flying out for a weekend visit to the Axarquia. We’d visited the city of Malaga before, and the touristy areas to the west, but we’d never been to this side. Our trip over was just like an episode off the telly! We’d arranged viewings from internet searches and Denise, from Sunset Properties, talked us into viewing Casa Flora. Think “mystery house”. We instantly fell in love with the house and the village and even the hills, and made an offer before getting back on the plane!
We’ve spent a lot of time here since, getting to know the people, the area and, of course, the cycling.
We’re both foodies and Andalucía is the perfect destination for those who love food. Rachel is a great cook and just loves the joy of sharing a plate of food.
In the village, and nearby Competa, there are restaurants serving the delicious and unusual tapas for incredibly cheap prices. Down on the coast it is all about the fish, try the Espeto, barbequed sardines cooked over fire pits, or the local shellfish in one of the many beachside restuarants.
Persuaded into cycling, Rachel loves her electric bike, “Elsbeth”, and regularly kicks me out of the back door on the climbs!
Rachel will be sharing her culinary delights and the best places to eat whilst you are staying with us, either on the ride or afterwards. She also drives the support vehicle and will even pick you up on the coast if you can’t face the hill at the end of the day.
Craig was late to cycling, starting at 40 when asked to run the Manchester 10k for the company’s charity. At 17+ stone and having not exercised for 15 years, his answer was, ‘I would if I could ride it!’. This was swiftly followed with, ‘there’s the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride then…’. So, challenge accepted and he caught the bug.
He’s since ridden many of the famous climbs of Le Tour de France, routes in Mallorca, Australia, South Africa, coast to coast adventures in the UK and Ireland, all over the North West of England and of course Eastern Costa del Sol. He’s a British Cycling qualified ride leader, and he is famous in his cycling club for never leaving anyone on their own. You are in very safe hands.
Having now found the perfect sunshine cycling destination, coupled with beautiful weather, wonderful food and wine, annd our perfect blend of activities and peace and quiet, we are keen to share the destination with as many likeminded cyclists as possible.
