What is it like Cycling and Living in Spain as an old guy part one #cyclingspain #spainliving

What is it like Cycling and Living in Spain as an old guy part one #cyclingspain #spainliving #movetospain All these answers are IMHO and personal to me. We came to Spain in 2019 partly to escape the terrible Weather ( we are both hypothyroid), partly to beat Brexit (we knew after Brexit it was going to be a whole lot more difficult and costly to live in Europe and it is. We also have elderly parents living here in Spain so sooner or later we knew we were going to have come and help out. We also didn’t mind the Cycling in Spain, low traffic great weather and good mountainous roads. 1. So my first point would be you need a good reason to come, Cycling cannot and should not be the only reason. 2. The Spanish are very sociable, being old is a Superpower you are treated very respectfully. The Spanish like to talk and greet. They do not understand the cold Northern Europeans. If you pass a Spaniard in the street you must greet them. In Bars and Shops you must say hello and goodbye, this is a big change. 3. The Climate, Spain is HOT! I mean really hot we regularly hit 40+ .For 3 months a year it’s almost unbearable and you have to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. We get up early and try to get everything done by 1pm then hide until 7pm. If you can you should try and visit for 4 weeks in July / August if you can do that you have half a chance. Spain is COLD and wet. The houses on the Costa Blanca are of poor quality and are neither insulated against the heat or the cold, therefore when it gets cold it’s warmer outside the house than in it. You will see Spanish people sitting outside. When it rains it properly rains and it’s scary. The rains make their way to the sea across very dry compacted earth. On balance we get circa 9 months of great weather. 4. The cycling is amazing almost everywhere. You will find huge groups of local cyclist almost any day of the week. There are many clubs and groups to join up with. The Country is big and with a very varied terrain with fantastic Cities and pueblos. The laws are favourable to cyclists although a lot of tourists that are unaware of the rules and can be a danger. 5. Spain is a foreign country. No matter how many English or Europeans live here it remains very foreign and different from everything you know. The red tape is next level madness and everything is a little difficult. Even the mealtimes are crazy. The Spanish are very friendly and sociable but increasingly they are becoming less accepting of foreigners not learning the lingo. Many institutions are insisting that you have an interpreter present if you cannot speak Spanish, Spaces like Hospitals, Doctors and Police Stations, this could get expensive. 6. You need to learn the language. This is difficult and requires effort. It’s a lifelong commitment and it will take 5 years of effort to be talking like a 7 year old. It is however hugely rewarding. Don’t choose a region where you will have to learn 2 languages 7. You will not live like a Spaniard. You may become a little more European but years of living like a North European will drag you back. 8. The Festivals and Holidays are next level crazy. We still get caught out regularly. 9. Spain is cheap! The cost of living in Spain is still very favourable against the uk despite slowly catching up. Food is about the same but running a car, council tax , electricity, fuel much cheaper. However second hand products such as cars and furniture are more expensive than you would imagine. Spain is a high tax culture, you have to have a gestor to submit your taxes and fines are very high for non compliance or fraud. 10. The Cafe / Bar culture is amazing which is fabulous for Cyclists. Food, beer and coffee everywhere. Spain has more cafes and bars than the USA https://clubciclistapinarde.campoverd...