Camino del Cid 2027

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW: Camino del Cid is a cultural and historic route following in the footsteps of the legendary medieval knight, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, more commonly known as “El Cid Campeador,” or simply “El Cid.” El Cid is one of Spain’s well-known and beloved folk heroes. Like the Camino de Santiago, the route can be hiked or cycled, and a small booklet can be stamped along the way to provide proof of a traveler’s progress. The El Cid version of this credential is known as the “Salvoconducto,” a 21st century echo of the safe-conduct document used in the Middle Ages to ensure a traveler’s free and safe passage.

There are 11 required riding days during this tour, and two rest days. We start the tour in Burgos with its rich history and stunning architecture, most notably the Burgos Cathedral. We travel through seven Spanish provinces: Burgos, Soria, Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Teruel, Castellón, Valencia. The tour ends in the city of Valencia on the Mediterranean. On our arrival day in Burgos, you can do a short shake-down ride to Vivar del Cid, the town where El Cid was born, where we’ll find the Camino del Cid’s zero-mile marker.

The cycling route for Camino del Cid will take us through unspoiled remote countryside with large natural areas and breathtaking landscapes dotted with castles and small, quiet villages. The medieval heritage of Camino del Cid is unique within Europe, and boasts many examples of Visigoth, Romanesque, Gothic, Islamic, and Mudejar art and architecture. We’ll be able to visit several UNESCO World Heritage sites and stay in villages declared Historic Artistic Sites by the Spanish Government:

• Burgos Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Spanish Historic Site) was constructed during the 12th–15th centuries and is reputed to sum up the entire history of Gothic art. The Cathedral is renowned for its paintings, choir stalls, tombs, and stained-glass windows. You may wish to arrive a day or two early to have time to explore the Cathedral and other interesting historic sites in the city.
• Burgo de Osma (Spanish Historic Artistic Site) is an attractive Castilian town located in the shadows of the ruins of a medieval castle and noted for its porticoed streets and Baroque buildings.
• Albarracín (Spanish Historic Artistic Site), reputed to be one of the prettiest villages in Spain, is perched above the Guadalaviar River. It was once the capital of a Moorish kingdom and has preserved much of its historic Islamic and medieval feel.
• Teruel (UNESCO World Heritage Site), located against a backdrop of rugged hills and deep ravines, is regarded as the “town of Mudéjar” due to its numerous buildings designed in that style (decorative Islamic styled motifs and patterns applied to Christian architecture). Collectively they are part of the Mudéjar Architechture of the autonomous community of Aragon.
• Beautiful Valencia is where our journey will end. You may wish to spend several days following the tour to explore Valencia's numerous notable attractions, including the Silk Exchange, or La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Our riding will be on quiet country roads with little or no traffic, but with some short stretches on busier roads near the larger towns. Spanish road surfaces are generally in excellent condition. Many days will include climbs to breathtaking vistas of the surrounding countryside where you’ll feel like you’ve arrived at the top of the world.

In addition to superb cycling and overnight stays in beautiful and interesting small towns, we’ll enjoy the friendliness of the local people, delicious food, and exceptional wine. This region of Spain is known for its wild mushrooms, rice dishes, roast kid and baby lamb, game stews, wonderful vegetables, cod, very sweet desserts, and designation-of-origin wines. What more could you ask for in a cycling vacation?

BAC has offered the Camino del Cid tour previously in 2022 and 2024. Logistical support for the tour will once again be provided by Simon Proffitt of Iberocycle. Iberocycle has supported over a dozen tours for BAC members to date, all with very high to excellent ratings.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the Ride Leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

RIDE RATING: 3C!. This is a tour for cyclists who like to climb! Although the daily ride average is 51 miles with 3300’ of climbing, the rating includes the “!” because 4 of the 11 required riding days exceed BAC’s 3C rating:

• Day 1 is 55 miles & 3700’ (4C)
• Day 3 is 47 miles & 3600’ (4B)
• Day 8 is 51 miles & 4300’ (4C)
• Day 11 is 72 miles & 2900’ (3D).

Using feet of climbing per mile as a measure of difficulty, with a 65’ per mile average for all required riding days this would be considered a hard tour. Climbs will generally be gradual and sustained or rolling, although many days will have a few very short pitches between 8-12%.

The ride rating is based on the shortest ride options available for each riding day. There will be longer rides available for several days, and riding options available for the tour’s two rest days. Although Iberocycle may provide emergency transport for riders who are injured or whose bikes have a major mechanical failure, each tour participant is expected to ride the entire route each day or arrange alternate transportation to the day’s destination.

CUE SHEETS, MAPS, GPS FILES: Excellent GPS routes, digital cue sheets (which you can print and bring with you if you wish), and maps will be provided. We will not ride as a “stay together” group and thus riders must bring, and know how to use, a navigation device (e.g., Garmin, Wahoo, smartphone with RWGPS, etc.), or plan to navigate via cue sheet and map to complete each day’s ride. Riders are expected to come to the tour with complete knowledge of how to use their navigation devices.

BIKES, BIKE CASES, & BIKE RENTALS: If you bring your own bike, you must be sure it is in good mechanical condition and has appropriate gearing for tours with a 3C! rating. Road bikes, gravel bikes, or hybrids are appropriate for this tour. E-bikes and tandems will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ride an e-bike or tandem, contact the Ride Leader before you sign up.

Iberocycle will arrange transport of bike cases from Burgos to Valencia for a cost of 85€ per case, payable directly to Iberocycle. If you prefer, you may make your own arrangements to transfer your bike case from the starting hotel in Burgos to the final hotel in Valencia.

Iberocycle has the following types of bikes available for rental:

• Cube carbon road bike, Shimano compact 105 groupset (11v), rim brakes: 205 €
• Cube carbon road bike, Shimano compact 105 groupset (11v), disc brakes: 235 €
• Hybrid bike: 140 €
• Road e-bike: 310 €
• Hybrid e-bike: 265 €

To book a rental bike at your own expense, contact Iberocycle directly (info@iberocycle.com). Iberocycle will provide rental bikes solely for the duration of the tour: May 18th through the 31st, the last riding day of the tour. 

If you are renting a bike, plan to arrive no later than noon on May 18th to allow adequate time for fitting your bike.

WEATHER: Temperatures should range from 43° at night to 66°F during the day for the first part of the tour, and 57° at night and 74°F as we approach Valencia. For the area where we’ll be riding, the average number of days in May with some precipitation is 4 with an average rainfall for the month of less than 2”.

LODGING, MEALS & HAPPY/SOCIAL HOUR: Included in the tour cost:

• 14 nights of lodging in 3-4 star hotels with the exception of one 2-star hotel which is the only option available
• Hot European-style breakfasts each morning (14 breakfasts)
• 6 group dinners
• 12 happy/social hours with snacks, wine, beer, and soft drinks

You will be on your own for all lunches, and all dinners other than the group dinners. For those who haven’t been to Spain before, dinner time tends to be much later than in the US, typically around 8pm. The larger towns on the tour will have restaurants that are open until mid-afternoon, providing a chance for a late hearty lunch in lieu of dinner. Most towns will also have a grocery store. Many towns will have bars that open mid-day until mid-afternoon, then reopen for the evening at 5pm, and serve tapas or a limited menu of sandwiches, etc.

LOGISTICS: We’ll have our initial BAC happy hour at the Hotel ABBA Burgos on May 18th at 6pm. If renting a bike, plan to arrive no later than noon on the 18th to allow adequate time for fitting your bike. 

Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is the closest international airport to Burgos. There is a direct bus to Burgos from Madrid Airport and trains to Burgos from Madrid's city center. You can also fly into Bilbao (BIO), Santander (SDR) or San Sebastián (EAS) and take a bus to Burgos, or fly into Valencia (VLC) and take a train to Burgos. I use Rome2Rio for researching travel options.

Our last day of riding will be May 31st, 2027. The tour will end after breakfast in our Valencia hotel on June 1st, 2027. Valencia has an international airport (VLC). You can travel from Valencia to Barcelona or Madrid by plane, train, or bus.

We’ll stay 1 night each in Burgos (our starting location), Santo Domingo de Silos, Burgo de Osma, Atienza, Medinaceli, Molina de Aragón, Peralejos de las Truchas, Albarracín, Montanejos, and Valencia (our finishing location), and 2 nights in Monasterio de Piedra (May 24th) and Teruel (May 29th). Iberocycle will book reservations at the tour rate for any BAC riders who’d like extra nights in Burgos before the tour, or in Valencia after the tour.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The estimated tour cost is $5000 based on a currency exchange rate of $1.30 = 1€, and a minimum of 14 participants. The first payment of $2500 is due at sign-up and must be paid within 2 weeks of being moved into "pending status" unless other arrangements are made with the Ride Leader. The final payment of $2500 is due on January 31st, 2027. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment.

The estimated cost includes 14 nights lodging (double occupancy) with full breakfast; 12 BAC happy/social hours with wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks; 6 group dinners; luggage transport & emergency sag support; maps, digital cue sheets and GPS files; a tip for the guides; Ride Leader expenses; and a 5% ($230) contingency in the event of unanticipated expenses or emergencies. It does not include lunches or meals other than as stated above, bike rental, bike box transport, airfare, or transport to the starting hotel or from the ending hotel. After the tour the Ride Leader will provide a report of all expenses and refund any remaining funds to participants.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until January 31st, 2027 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the solo supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

The solo supplement payment is $910, due by January 31st 2027 when the final tour payment is due, and can be paid by Zelle or check. To pay using Zelle:

• In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org
• Initiate a payment
• In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.

If you wish to pay by check it should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System): ETIAS will not be implemented until about 6 months after the EU completes its Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals. The EES is anticipated to be fully operational by April 10, 2026. The ETIAS process will require short-term travelers to apply online, pay a small fee (20€ = roughly $24) and then wait up to 96 hours for applications to be approved. The authorization is good for a three-year period or until the traveler’s passport expires – whichever comes first. Unlike the ETA, ETIAS will not be required for a layover if you remain within the airport's international transit area and do not leave to enter the country itself. For all these programs, airlines will be required to notify passengers of requirements in enough time in advance of their flights to complete the process. BAC will continue to update members as things change. For the most up to date information on ETIAS visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias.

Cancellation Policy: The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost because of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Ride Participant Responsibility: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Insurance Statement: BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website.

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered).

While touring internationally, i.e., outside of the U.S., BAC maintains foreign accident insurance to assist with expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies (including sudden and unexpected sickness), and repatriation. Insurance will apply door-to-door for treatment and travel for a maximum of 90 days overall. Coverage extends to a limited period spanning the published BAC trip dates, allowing for side trips occurring before and after the BAC ride; the limitation period is 7 days before or after the published BAC trip dates. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses but not quarantine.

Sign-up: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee and $150.00 international ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.