10/16/2023 Bikepacking Spain Day 69 : Hey! Are You From California?

by Brian · Published October 16, 2023 · Updated March 3, 2024

Photos:

Janet and I did a late start - felt like we were playing hooky! A minute from the hotel, we hear someone yell in English, “Hey! Are you from California?” It was @Yuwen W, and she is friends with our friend Dogmeat Queen! She is ambling about Southern Spain too, and it was fun to catch up. Share managed to recognize us from Strava somehow. Her route is similar to ours, but different… we might see her again tomorrow! —

Lots of variety today on roads, trails, dirt roads, and even a couple rail trails. —

We started looking for a place to camp, but there were always people around… shepherds or someone walking somewhere… or steep terrain with no flat spots. —

I did scope out an Ermita (little church) up here on the mountain where we could have theoretically camped, but there were just too many people walking around at the bottom of the hill. We even sent the drone on 2 missions to scope out possible camping spots. We ended up riding up the big hills anyway, but found both of the possible camps to be unsavory. We finally caved and at 7:30 PM booked an apartment for €55 on It had no reviews and was just listed. We knew we were taking our chances. It ended up being a bit of an adventure, but we figured it out! We made several micro videos documenting the experience…. —

Strava Comments:

Boris F.

Egad, how sterile of an accommodation for southern Europe. Gotta keep up with the times...

DogMeat Q.

No effing way!!! We know Yuwen W !!!!! What are the freaking chances!!! Love it!!!

DogMeat Q.

And we keep running into her serendipitously too!!! Wow!

Yuwen W.

DogMeat QueenⓋ haha, so freaking cool! 🤪

Yuwen W.

Brian and Janet, s great to meet you guys! Like I said, made my day!

Nancy P.

Loved your escape room video series! I think there’s a place like that in SLO, but likely not as mysterious.

Corrine L.

Great videos!!

Janet W.

Love our cozy sterile room with the tricky check-in! Even with no bathroom door. Great day of riding and such a cool surprise to meet Yuwen W !

Ann L.

Very cool videos on how to get into your room!

J.L. D.

I would have given up on gone to a hotel. Nice work and nice ride!

Judy I.

It seems like that flat sink would spatter all over, but it looks really cool. I’ve washed my clothes in the shower before. (Works best if you are wearing them at first when you soap them up! 🧼😅🫧) So cool you crazy people found each other!