A beautiful cycling route built on the old railway line that once connected La Puebla de Híjar with Tortosa.
Via Verde Val de Zafán — the second longest Vía Verde in Spain, stretching 130 km. 🚴‍♂️
Along the way, you’ll cross many scenic viaducts and pass through numerous tunnels. 🌄🚴‍♀️
We camped right next to this beautiful viaduct — a peaceful and quiet night under the stars. 🌌⛺ #viaverdevaldezafan #cycletouring #cycling #wanderer #exploring #bicycle #bicycletouring #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #cyclingnomads #traveldiaries #biketouringforever #pedalpower #travelstories #travelbybike #bikewander #bikelife #biketouring #fromwhereiride #worldbycyclingù #worldbybike #pedaljourneys #humanpoweredadventures #neverstopexploring #biketocamp #worldbycycling #BikeTooter #biketouring #cyclingspain

After few days of calling, messaging, and reaching out to various shops in Morocco and Melilla, we realized that our best option was to return to Spain. Importing high-quality bicycle spokes would be both costly and time-consuming, with shipping times ranging from 4 to 7 weeks—and that’s if the package didn’t get lost en route. Additionally, import taxes could reach up to 60%.

Faced with these challenges, we made the tough decision to head back to Spain. Fortunately, we know a skilled wheel builder in Granada—the same expert who had previously rebuilt Mirko’s wheel. It felt strange to turn around, but we knew it was the right thing to do. We packed the bikes, bought some supplies, exchanged money to pay for our accommodation, and took the northern road out of Guercif, heading back toward Nador. #cycletouring #cycling #wanderer #exploring #bicycle #bicycletouring #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #cyclingnomads #traveldiaries #biketouringforever #pedalpower #travelstories #travelbybike #bikewander #bikelife #biketouring #fromwhereiride #worldbycyclingù #worldbybike #pedaljourneys #humanpoweredadventures #neverstopexploring #biketocamp #worldbycycling #BikeTooter #biketouring

We woke up very early to a perfect weather—clear skies, sunshine, and no wind. Excited to finally cycle toward the snow-capped mountains we had seen in the distance the day before. We ordered some tea, made oatmeal porridge, and took some local bread for the road. We said goodbye to the guys in the restaurant who had hosted us, and even the policeman stopped by to wish us a good journey.
Back on the road, we took a right at the roundabout onto a smaller road toward Midelt. It felt so good.
We only made few kilometers, when I heard a familiar sound—one I definitely didn’t want to hear. I stopped, checked my bike, and saw a broken spoke. This was bad news. In all our years of cycling, I had never broken a spoke, and now it had happened twice. It really felt like something was trying to keep us from moving forward. I called Mirko, who was already a few kilometers ahead. When he returned, I broke the bad news to him.
With no other choice, we turned around and cycled back to the restaurant once again. Finding high-quality spokes in Morocco wouldn’t be easy, and I also needed a skilled mechanic with experience in building a Rohloff wheel properly. We decided to head to Guercif, where we could find a place to stay and research our options. We were needed to find some spare spokes so we could temporarily fix the wheel.
There weren’t many accommodation options in the city, but we managed to find the only reasonably priced hotel and got a lovely room on the first floor. The staff was very kind— even bringing us a gas bottle so we could cook.
#touring #cycletouring #cycling #wanderer #exploring #bicycle #bicycletouring #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #cyclingnomads #traveldiaries #biketouringforever #pedalpower #travelstories #travelbybike #bikewander #bikelife #biketouring #fromwhereiride #worldbycyclingù #worldbybike #pedaljourneys #humanpoweredadventures #neverstopexploring #biketocamp #worldbycycling
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We woke up very early to a perfect weather—clear skies, sunshine, and no wind. Excited to finally cycle toward the snow-capped mountains we had seen in the distance the day before. We ordered some tea, made oatmeal porridge, and took some local bread for the road. We said goodbye to the guys in the restaurant who had hosted us, and even the policeman stopped by to wish us a good journey.
Back on the road, we took a right at the roundabout onto a smaller road toward Midelt. It felt so good.
We only made few kilometers, when I heard a familiar sound—one I definitely didn’t want to hear. I stopped, checked my bike, and saw a broken spoke. This was bad news. In all our years of cycling, I had never broken a spoke, and now it had happened twice. It really felt like something was trying to keep us from moving forward. I called Mirko, who was already a few kilometers ahead. When he returned, I broke the bad news to him.
With no other choice, we turned around and cycled back to the restaurant once again. Finding high-quality spokes in Morocco wouldn’t be easy, and I also needed a skilled mechanic with experience in building a Rohloff wheel properly. We decided to head to Guercif, where we could find a place to stay and research our options. We were needed to find some spare spokes so we could temporarily fix the wheel.
There weren’t many accommodation options in the city, but we managed to find the only reasonably priced hotel and got a lovely room on the first floor. The staff was very kind— even bringing us a gas bottle so we could cook.
#touring #cycletouring #cycling #wanderer #exploring #bicycle #bicycletouring #adventurecycling #cyclinglife #cyclingnomads #traveldiaries #biketouringforever #pedalpower #travelstories #travelbybike #bikewander #bikelife #biketouring #fromwhereiride #worldbycyclingù #worldbybike #pedaljourneys #humanpoweredadventures #neverstopexploring #biketocamp #worldbycycling
what a big bummer to hear. still hoping there's another way, fingers crossed!
@Cyclingnomads good luck finding a good mechanic and spares!
How many thousands of km did the ones you broke last for you?
@Zyfdnug the bike I have is 3-4 hand but I made about 10000km on it

@Cyclingnomads 10.000 km... not bad, but I would have expected more, after your long travels ;-)

And -- did you find the help you needed?

@Zyfdnug on my old bike which stayed in Nepal I cycled since 2007 and no spokes broken. We did not find the help we needed
@Cyclingnomads I am impressed. And 🤞