Basque Cycling Culture. Cycling as a window into our way of life

… I sail the seas along unknown paths.
Leave everything on land! “The danger pursues us,”
Our dream is to find new lands,
From our tears the sludges we leave behind are made.
Search for new horizons
Where we can breathe.
Lauaxeta.

A journey. The long and winding road. The land of Euskadi cycling to be discovered, waiting for legs to drive the pedals. Eight friends, from across Europe – Dutch, English, Irish and Welsh – depart from Bilbao, ready to live an unforgettable experience. Because the Basque Country is cycling; the soul of Etxeondo. A region that lives and breathes for the bicycle. And there is no better way to get to know Etxeondo than to explore the land that inspires us so much. From the sea to the mountains; what we are and who we are. And always on the bike, as a way of life. That is Basque Cycling Culture.

Our group of friends will grow to understand our identity through our environment. Feel what it is like to ride through this unique land. Five stages, across the Basque countryside, from its rugged coastline, through the wild Pyrenees, to its arid desert. Extraordinary cuisine, from the traditional to the most international. From sleepy vineyards to cosmopolitan, modern cities. Euskadi: Its tradition and its values.

Stage 1. Gametxo-Etxalar. 143 km/+2850m

From the coast to the mountains. That is the plan. Starting in Gametxo, with its spectacular views of Landa beach and the fishing village of Bermeo in the background. Along the coast, from Bizkaia to Gipuzkoa, looking out to sea. The eight friends, with a former professional cyclist and part of the Etxeondo family, Haimar Zubeldia, and local chef Iñigo Lavado, the cook of emotions. Then the climbs begin. Ibarrengelu, the St Nikolas, Asterrika and Itziar before reaching Zarautz and the first stop of the day where Haimar orders the coffees at the seafront.

From there, the route continues to San Sebastián. There, José Casla, the boss of Giant Iberia and Paco Rodrigo, the founder of Etxeondo, greet the entire group and give them strength and encouragement for the final part of the ride. Then, the famous Jaizkibel climb from Clásica San Sebastian. Donostia’s balcony. A rapid descent to Irun follows, to the open kitchen of Iñigo, where he lights the stove and everyone exchanges helmets for kitchen hats. Salmorejo, fideuá and cheesecake to recharge the batteries before the last 20 kilometres to the hotel.
“I could spend the next five days just riding the spectacular route we have done today,” Alan confesses to Patxi when he arrives in Etxalar.

2nd stage. Etxalar-Pamplona. 161 km / +3570m

The Queen stage. From Etxalar, crossing the border into France to return via mythical climbs like Zugarramurdi. In total, six mountains and more than 3,500 metres of ascent through the Pyrenees. These are the mountains the Basques love so much, part of our identity. The same mountains, the same climbs, that are filled with Ikurriñas, orange and screaming Basque fans when the Tour de France dares to cross them. The same roads that have forged legends, unforgettable chapters of our cycling history.

The final part of the day’s ride followed the same route as the world-famous San Fermín festival, where locals run alongside the bulls, down the famous Estafeta street to Café Iruña. You can almost hear the echoes of the raucous chupinazo as they ride along the mythical route, past the image of the saint, where the young men gather to pray, newspaper in hand, before starting the race to the bullring, followed by the unleashed beasts.

At the end, a cycling legend waits inside Café Iruña. The myth, the man. Miguel Indurain sitting at the bar for dinner. The five-fold winner of the Tour de France left everyone with their mouths open, speechless. “We sat at the same table and he told us great stories of his career,” said Paul, stunned.

3rd stage. Pamplona-Desert of Bardenas. 105 KM / +540M

The heavy traffic of the city of Pamplona overwhelms. Smothering, hectic. The group decides to plan an alternative route on the map. Improvised, on roads not always clearly marked. An adventure; dirt roads to Bardenas. This is the desert day. A day for teamwork, when the togetherness and cooperation fostered over the first two days of riding encourages them to protect each other from the whipping wind. Across the barren dirt of Bardenas Reales with ‘sterrato’, where Game of Thrones chose to film some of their battle scenes. Finally, after arriving at the charming Hotel Aire de Bardenas, the group head to Castejón.

Here, in the hometown of Paco Rodrigo, is the second of the factories where, over the last 40 years, Etxeondo has prepared their unparalleled designs, helping riders to fly. To end the day, and to draw them deeper into the family that is Etxeondo, the group eat at Los Raros. Grilled cutlets and wine to celebrate Paul’s birthday. “A night that cannot be planned or scripted simply has to happen,” Roger exclaimed.

4th stage. Desert of Bardenas-Haro. 141km / +1180m

With the wind behind them, the Basque Cycling Culture group fly to Rioja, a land of grapes and vineyards. The chuletillas last night do the rest, with an average of 40 km/h. Later, they arrive for a wine tasting at the Muga Winery. Still dressed as cyclists, with the adrenaline rushing through their bodies, they try the wine. In the evening, they eat pintxos in the streets of Haro. “A very nice visit,” Alan wrote in his notebook.

5th Stage. Haro-Bilbao. 137km / +1510m

The final day before our friends say their goodbyes to Basque Cycling Culture. From the vineyards to Bilbao, through the Mena Valley before touching Biscay and the most modern, cosmopolitan Basque city. Patxi Rodrigo sets the early pace, with Ibon shopping for the refreshments of the day so riders could regain strength amid the cumulative fatigue of seven hundred unforgettable kilometres.

“My soul comes down at night through the Bidasoa riverbed
to dilute in the sea, tracing traveling routes,
pointing roads,
and come back, breaking the dawn,
in a burst of foams,
to recover the taste of your beaches,
The sound of your live music,
The smell of your prairies.”
Bernado Atxaga.