It had been a long, hot day of cycling. Tomte was tired, and our only goal was to find a place to pitch our tent. As we cycled up the mountain past a farm, our son spotted some children's ride-ons. He started crying too loudly when we made no attempt to stop. The farmer's wife noticed this and asked us to pull over. She disappeared for a moment and came back with a pink and white princess Bobby Car as a present for Tomte. We couldn't believe it, but the farmers really meant it. So Chris had no choice but to transport the Bobby Car on the trailer from now on.

Tomte was so happy and in the end, the farmers even offered us a place to camp.

#cycletouring #bikepacking #familyadventures #worldbybike #travelbybike #travelwithkids #nomadfamily #campinglife

When we left the town of Genaro Codina, the road went steeply uphill. When we reached a kind of plateau, we rolled leisurely along stony paths through the isolation. Only a few horses and cows kept us company. Or so we thought. When Tomte woke up, we stopped, ate lunch and played ball. We were amazed when suddenly five conspicuously classy off-road vehicles slowly moved towards us to stop. About 15 heavily armed men got out. A handful came up to us and greeted us politely while the others spread out with their weapons within a radius of twenty meters. We were offered energy drinks, cookies and sweets. We were asked where we came from and whether we needed water or food. We played along, pretended to be very happy and politely accepted all the gifts, except for the marijuana. Then they all shook hands with us, said goodbye in a very friendly manner and drove on, not without telling us that they were “here” if we needed help.

We had no doubt that we had just encountered members of a cartel.

Bewildered and somewhat relieved, with squeaky-sweet, awful-tasting energy drinks in our hands, we took a deep breath and then continued our journey through the Sierra. It's a good thing that the cartels aren't usually interested in getting into trouble with tourists. Quite the opposite. They don't want to attract foreign attention so that they can go about their criminal business in peace. Other cyclists also told us about encounters with the cartels and they were always treated with the utmost courtesy.

But we didn't really feel comfortable for the rest of the day. We were happy when the opportunity arose in the evening to camp with nomadic cattle herders. In their company, we were able to relax in our tent, digest our experiences and listen to the howling of the coyotes in the distance.

#familycycling #cycletouring #bikepacking #nomadfamily #travelbybike #worldbybike

CHASING LIGHT, NOT TIME on the road to Teruel
#SunsetRide #cyclingspain #BikeLife #GoldenHourVibes #OnTheRoad #AdventureAwaits #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

Exploring Ebro Delta one of the most important wetland areas in the western Mediterranean.A large part of the delta is protected as the Parc Natural del Delta de l’Ebre, with lagoons, rice fields, and dunes. Home to over 300 bird species, including flamingos, herons, and rare migratory birds is a paradise for birdwatchers. #ebrodelta #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

Really enjoying Spain #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

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

Via Verde Val de Zafán a beautiful viaduct and one of many tunnels that will follow #viaverde #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

Camino del Alba, costa Blanca Alicante, Spain #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 #biketouringmike

In love with colors & culture.

#durangomexico #zacatecas #nombrededios #vincenteguerrero #sombrerete #cycletheworld #worldbybike #adventuresbybike #familybiketouring #colorfulmexico #colorfulworld

The states of Durango and Zacatecas really surprised us. So many warm-hearted people in the villages, so much rich culture in the cities. Every few kilometers there is a small, often pretty town, with at least one small shop. This makes traveling with children very easy. There are usually other children for Tomte to play with, which makes our breaks more relaxing. Things are going really well at the moment. Thanks to all the people we met!

#worldbybike #mexicomagico #pueblomagico #zacatecas sombrerete #nombrededios #familybiketouring #familyadventures #vincenteguerrero #rojas #independenciaylibertad #primerodemayo #cycletheworld