The GypsyNesters

We travel a lot.

Like, all of the time.

And when we aren’t, we are studying for our next adventure. So it’s not often that we hear about a place unfamiliar to us.

When it does happen we are thrilled, then we want to find a way to go there without breaking the bank.

That’s why we are so excited to hear about Alicante from the folks at Dealchecker. Their great deals on holiday packages to Spain’s dazzling Costa Blanca make discovering this seaside resort region absolutely affordable.

Without a doubt beautiful beaches are a major attraction, and we are big fans, but history and natural wonders also rate high on our list when it comes to choosing a destination and Alicante certainly checks both those boxes.

Stepping back in time is as easy as wandering the streets of the Old Town to check out the many museums, the elegant baroque Town Hall, and the Basilica of Santa Maria, or heading up for a bird’s eye view of it all from Santa Bárbara Castle.

Perched on the top of Mount Benacantil, this is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain. But fear not, the amazing observation point at the summit can be enjoyed without climbing. Though the castle was built well over a thousand years ago, there is an elevator running right through the heart of the mountain.

It was added just a few centuries later, and in case we find the ride a little too strenuous refreshments await atop the peak, plus a spectacular panorama of the entire city and coastline.

From high above we can also spot the way to go down below, as in beneath the surface to the Caves of Canelobre. They are located a few miles up the coast, and descending into these breathtaking caverns feels like entering a Gothic cathedral.

Not only because of the size and shape, but the acoustics resemble a giant church as well. So much that concerts are periodically held within the hollow limestone. Talk about underground music!

The town of Benidorm, a few minutes from the caves, is known for several theme and water parks, along with two outstanding Blue Flag beaches.

While we love hanging out where the sea meets the shore, we are even more fond of getting into, or better yet under, the water. That is definitely one of the highlights of this corner of the Mediterranean.

Just a few minutes offshore, the tiny island of Tabarca is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Spain’s first marine reserve, which was also declared a Zone of Special Protection for Birds in 1986. The protected area is widely acclaimed for fantastic diving and snorkeling.

Yet again, in the midst of all this natural beauty, a unique history unfolds on shore. This smallest inhabited islet in Spain was known as Illa de Sant Pau, or Saint Paul’s Island, up until around 1700. That is because it is believed to be where St. Paul may have landed on his travels west from Rome.

Centuries later, Barbary pirates used it as a hideout for their raids. Once they were run off, the wall that still surrounds the town was built to hold them at bay should they decided to return.

One thing we know, we would certainly try to come back again.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

We are happy to present this post in collaboration with dealchecker.co.uk to offer valuable information to our readers.

Gather around, fellow mountain bikers because, today, we’re going to share with you the secrets of the trail. Mountain bikes are nothing without mountains, and the same can be said for ‘backroadless’ mountains. Still wondering where your adventure will take you this summer? Well, wonder no more, because we will show you the best Europe has to offer in terms of backroad trails. Of course, our article would be for naught if we don’t share some stuff from our trail-blazing experience.

How to Prepare for a Backroad Trail Riding Tour Like a Pro

We know that you know what to bring along for the ride. However, it doesn’t hurt to go over the basic stuff.  First of all, make certain that your mountain bike is in tiptop shape – check the brakes, the handlebar, and get some grease on that chain.

The second thing to keep in mind is clothing. Yes, make sure to dress appropriately for you European backroad trail riding tour. Don’t bring only summer clothes because the weather can be very unpredictable.

Gear-wise, an extra pair of gloves is a must because you never know what’s on the other side of the trail. High-quality gloves give you a great grip and prevent your hands from sweating and sliding off the handlebar. More than that, the extra torque applied on the handles when going up the hill could wear out the gloves. So, go ahead and throw in an extra pair just to be on the safe side.

Now, with these things out of the way, we should really talk about your upcoming European backroad trail adventure.

Tips, Hack, Tricks, and Places to Be

Now, if you’re ready and willing to go through with this, then waste no time, because the dirt trail waits for you. To have the perfect backroad trail riding tour, you should keep a couple of things in mind.

1.      Lower your saddle

There’s a nice and not-so-cozy mountain bike circuit in Southern Italy. We really enjoyed it because it mostly went downhill. However, no matter how nice this circuit might have been, our derrieres really took a beating. The best way to counter this, regardless if you’re going uphill or downhill, is to adjust your bike’s saddle. More specifically, you should lower it an inch or two. That way, it will be easier to raise the fork when avoiding potholes and it won’t feel that uncomfortable.

2.      Watch your road

This one time, our mountain biking adventures took us through the untamed Connemara National Park, one of Ireland’s most beautiful reservations. To say that the view was breathtaking would be an understatement. That’s when we’ve learned that letting yourself get distracted is the worst thing you can do while mountain biking. We know that it’s tempting to look at the trees, rocks or other natural landmarks, but that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do because that’s how accidents happen. And you don’t want to spoil your vacation just because you couldn’t keep those peepers on the trail.

3.      Know how to work those gears

Of course, shifting gears is what they teach you in mountain bike boot camp. However, it’s one thing to ride your bike in the city or to another one, and an entirely different thing when you’re on the trail. For instance, England has some of the finest backroad trails, but the mud alone is more than one could bear. So, to avoid making yourself look like you’ve spent the night in a pigsty, adjust the gears beforehand to compensate for the road’s elevation. For this, we recommend shifting into low gear.

4.      Tire Pressure

We know that every bike rider wants to pump as much air as they can into those tires to make sure that nothing happens on the road. Now, if you’re more of a city man or woman, keeping the tire pressure between 30 and 40 psi is enough. However, when you’re on the trail, it would be for the best not to put too much air into those tires. The best way to make sure that the tires are trail-ready is to test them with your finger. If you’re able to insert your thumb into the bike’s tire, then everything’s peachy.

5.       Check and recheck everything before you go

The purpose of the whole trip is to go on an adventure. Still, that doesn’t mean you should fly in blindly. Before hitting the trail, you should definitely spend some time to research it. Check out forums, articles, Google reviews, anything that could help you get a better idea of what lies ahead. Maybe you’ll discover that you’ll need to bring along some extra tool for a particular circuit.

6.      Learning curve

The best piece of advice we’ve received from bike-savvy riders was to take it easy. So, if someone with more experience tells you that the backroad you’re on is dangerous, then do yourself a world of good and head back. We didn’t say that you should back off each time something difficult pops up. Definitely not! But don’t be that type of person that takes unnecessary risks just for the thrills.

7.      Raising fork and pushing

To overcome obstacles such as rocks, potholes or major differences in road elevation, the best approach is to raise the fork by pushing. We know that it sounds a little off, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be doing it without realizing. Really helped us when we’ve had to deal with Northern Ireland’s rocky terrain.

Conclusion

To sum up, everything, backroad trail riding in Europe if you’re mindful of the things we’ve talked about. Don’t forget about gloves, tires, and shifting gears. How the journey ends or begins is entirely up to you. Take tons of pictures and share your amazing experiences with your friends and family.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.