In April, I rolled out from the Sierra Nevada mountains in southern Spain with everything I needed strapped to my bike. No support crew. No pre-booked accommodation. Just a rough plan, a long route, and the quiet confidence that comes from years of riding long distances alone.

What followed was a 2,557 kilometre unsupported bikepacking route around Spain — a full loop through deserts, plains, mountains and coastlines. I called it The Spanish Epic, and it became one of the most immersive long-distance cycling Spain experiences I’ve ever undertaken.

What Is The Spanish Epic?

The Spanish Epic is an unsupported bike ride across Spain, starting and finishing in Andalucía and linking together a huge variety of regions, terrains and climates.

• Distance: 2,557 km

• Elevation gain: approx. 25,000 m

• Style: Unsupported bikepacking

• Bike: Gravel bike

• Approach: Ride efficiently, self-sufficiently, and continuously

• Objective: Complete the full loop and establish a Fastest Known Time for the Spanish Epic

Every decision — when to ride, when to rest, what to eat, how to adapt — was mine alone. That autonomy is what makes unsupported riding so powerful.

Cycling Through Spain’s Regions: A Country of Contrasts

One of the great joys of this ride was cycling through Spain’s regions in a way that most travellers never experience.

The route began in Andalucía, climbing out of the Alpujarras into wide, open landscapes where the rhythm of riding quickly takes over. From there, the scenery shifted constantly: arid plains, agricultural heartlands, empty high plateaus and ancient villages.

In Aragón and Navarra, the scale of the landscape becomes the challenge. Long, straight roads demand patience and mental resilience — a key skill in long-distance cycling in Spain. Progress is measured less by dramatic moments and more by consistency and focus.

Riding through these regions alone, unsupported, brings a deep connection to place. You’re not passing through — you’re part of the landscape for days at a time.

The Camino and the North

Joining sections of the Camino de Santiago added a different dimension to the ride. There’s a shared sense of purpose on the Camino, even when you’re moving at a very different pace on two wheels.

Reaching northern Spain felt like entering another country. Cooler air, greener hills, constant climbing and descending. The Basque Country in particular delivered some of the most physically demanding riding of the entire route — perfect terrain for gravel bike touring Spain, but relentless if you’re already carrying weeks of fatigue.

Turning South: Fatigue, Focus and the Long Way Home

After thousands of kilometres, the final leg south tested everything I’d built up so far — physical endurance, mental resilience and decision-making under fatigue.

This is where experience matters. On an unsupported bike ride in Spain, mistakes compound quickly. Push too hard and recovery suffers. Stop too often and momentum disappears. Knowing where that balance lies comes from years of riding long distances, not from equipment or planning alone.

Rolling back into the Sierra Nevada and closing the loop was a quiet moment of satisfaction — no fanfare, just the knowledge that the route had been completed honestly and self-sufficiently.

Bikepacking Gear and Setup: Lessons from the Road

For this ride, I prioritised simplicity and reliability over speed. My bikepacking gear and setup reflected years of trial and error on long routes:

• Gravel bike with relaxed geometry

• Wide tyres for mixed surfaces

• Minimal luggage, mounted securely

• Simple clothing system for changing climates

• Tools and spares limited to what I could realistically fix

On a route of this length, gear choices are about reducing friction — physical and mental. The fewer problems you create for yourself, the further you can ride day after day.

Was This a Fastest Known Time Attempt?

The ride was completed with the intention of setting a Fastest Known Time for the Spanish Epic, but without sacrificing the principles of unsupported riding.

It wasn’t about racing others. It was about riding efficiently, managing effort, and staying mentally sharp across multiple weeks — the same skills I rely on as a long-distance cyclist and professional guide.

Why Spain Is Exceptional for Bikepacking and Gravel Riding

After riding thousands of kilometres across the country, I’m convinced Spain is one of Europe’s finest destinations for bikepacking and gravel riding:

• Quiet secondary roads and tracks

• Huge geographical diversity

• Reliable weather across much of the year

• Strong café culture and village life

• A deep sense of space and freedom

For anyone interested in gravel bike touring Spain, the country rewards patience, curiosity and self-reliance.

About the Author: Tim Kirkus

I’m Tim Kirkus, a long-distance cyclist and mountain, gravel and bikepacking guide based in southern Spain. Over the years, I’ve ridden multi-day and multi-week routes across Spain and beyond — both solo and guiding others.

The Spanish Epic wasn’t about proving anything new. It was about applying experience: route choice, pacing, self-care and problem-solving — the foundations of safe, rewarding long-distance cycling.

FAQs – The Spanish Epic & Bikepacking Spain

(Answered by Tim Kirkus)

What is The Spanish Epic?

The Spanish Epic is a 2,557 km unsupported bikepacking route around Spain, starting and finishing in Andalucía and passing through many of the country’s key regions.

Is Spain suitable for long-distance cycling?

Absolutely. Spain offers quiet roads, varied terrain and excellent infrastructure for cyclists, making it ideal for long-distance and multi-day riding.

What bike is best for bikepacking in Spain?

A gravel bike or touring bike with wider tyres is ideal. Spain’s mix of asphalt, rough roads and tracks suits versatile setups rather than pure road bikes.

How important is experience for unsupported bikepacking?

Experience is crucial. Knowing how your body responds to fatigue, how to pace yourself, and how to adapt when plans change is far more important than equipment.

Is this route suitable for less experienced riders?

The full Spanish Epic is very demanding. However, many sections are ideal for shorter bikepacking trips if approached with the right preparation.

What’s the biggest challenge of riding unsupported?

Mental resilience. Solving problems alone, staying motivated through difficult days, and making good decisions when tired are the defining challenges.