I live in Barcelona, Spain, and I have happened across a couple free weeks between jobs. Perfect for a short tour, right?

The trouble is, the temperatures have just dropped. Inside Barcelona is fine, thanks to its microclimate, but as soon as I leave I will have temperatures of around 2-6 degrees C in the day, and 0-4 below at night.

The plan was to stay in pensions and cheap hotels (it's only a week), so I wouldn't be riding by night. On the other hand, I have no planned route, so I could end up stuck out late.

I have the gear, but have only done overnights in good weather previously.

Dumb idea? Or should I go ahead? I want to enjoy it.

2-6 Degrees is fair Scottish weather, you'll definitely be fine (: Just make sure you keep some tent clothes dry. The dryness of these is paramount and all must be sacrificed to maintain it. It'll make your trip much more pleasant...

6 degrees would probably be OK. I'd head south toward Valencia along the coast. Part of our route last summer took us from Valencia through Barcelona. It is almost 9 C in Valencia today The roads were good and I don't remember any issues with wind. I'm not sure how riding it in the winter would be. Our coastline in Oregon tends to be the warmest part of the state. Is it the same along the Mediterranean? Are all the hotels, etc. operating along the coast in the winter? Can you take bus or train back if you don't make a loop?

Good luck on your venture.

With the right gear, you'll be fine even below 0 C if not raining/sleeting. Even that's doable but miserable. The key is keeping your core warm, and a head cover is an important part of this. With a warm core, circulation to the feet and hands are enabled. Layers are important for being able to easily shed as the day warms up.

Or head south. I live in North Texas and that's what I do.

Yup, the coastline is the warmest part. Inland there's fog and general damp cold. I'm English, so I'm used to the cold (and riding to school through snow as a kid). I guess I should just shut up and go!

What route did you use for Barcelona to Valencia? Main roads or backways? I ride in the surroundings of Barcelona very often, but the way out towards the south is almost impossible. All freeways trapped between hills and mountains.

I AM trying to head south! It's just that it seems colder than it is here. It stays fairly dry, and like it said I'm planning on stopping indoors at night, so I can dry my rain gear.

I guess it's decided then. It might be cold, but it's dry, and I have a couple of weeks free. Plus, I can head as far south as I can get and just hop on a train home!

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing."

I personally find (cold) rain the most miserable, so I prefer -10°C to 0°C since most water is pretty dry at -10°C. Staying warm is easy as long as you're dry.

Yes, train back is part of the plan. Traveling on the train with bikes is very easy in Spain. Or in Catalunya at least (I have no experience elsewhere).

My biggest worry about the cold is that I won't be able to camp if I don't find a village with somewhere to stay, but on the other hand I can just start the day early and finish up in the first village that I find with a bed in the afternoon.

Started a tour in 2/'97 in SW Eire. had Hail/snow in May, crossing over to NI.

I used Hostels to get out of the storms , on occasion.

Edit, and warm insulated shoe covers, too..

similar weather here , Now I got a cycling Rain Cape so hands stay dry too..

Wind and wet make a huge difference at those temperatures. I've been in colder, btu bone dry and dead calm and it was quite comfortable. But jsut a little wind and wet and it is miserable to dangerous.

I agree. I spent a winter in Berlin and biked through rain and snow and wind and cold. If you're wrapped up it seems not to matter too much until the wind finds the *****s in your clothing and the rain starts up.

New weather check says rain just before weekend. New plan says wait til then, and carry a hot flask of tea

What does the cold have to do with camping? Right bag, no problem. Yeah, the nights are long, but if you've ridden hard enough during the day, may need a long night. Good book for a sleeping pill, if needed.

I don't really like cold weather, however if you can keep yourself warm and have ready access to warm fluids and a warm way to sleep you should be good to go. I have camped (backpacking) in temps near 0*F (-18*C) However we went prepared knowing it was going to be C-O-L-D, funny part was it warmed up and started snowing...

Coldest I have ever camped while cycling has been just below the freezing mark, no issues.

Aaron

The key is staying dry. As someone else pointed out, that is your #1 goal, above any other. That includes your own sweat and always have a dry set of clothes you can change into.

We came into Barcelona on the C245. We had to use the bridge to get across the river. There is a scenic highway that hugs the coast just south of the city, and secondary roads also going south along the coast.

Having the right gear is everything. Also, having a wife who enjoys the same things I do helps However, we were a little younger and tougher when the bottom picture was taken.

Our new winter tent






Sorry, a little OT, but I couldn't resist. My excuse is that we have not had any good skiing until last week, and I'm getting cabin fever.

I destest riding in cold weather though I still often go for short rides in temps as cold as -4 c. 2c to 6c during the days would be good for me, even if a bit damp, as long as I had someplace to get warm and dry at night. Tenting in those temps would be a deal breaker for me.

At the moment , N Europe has a big continental high pressure system that is going to be quite stable so the conditions are dry, cold and a light wind. This may push all of our unstable wet Atlantic fronts more southerly towards you.
Cold on its own is not an issue but wet and cold is serious. Look after you feet and keep them dry. Take quick-drying clothes. Dress in layers and dont forget to use the layers to regulate your heat.
If you are camping in cold, wet conditions, then take great care not to bring mud and wet into your tent. I carry a small section of camping mat to sit on. Use a thick sleeping mat (or 2).

Not OT at all. Although I think it will be a long time before I have to camp in snow in Spain (out of the mountains at least)!

The rain has already set in. I'll see how things go. I have the means to stay dry (rainproof everything, and Ortlieb panniers), but I don't like riding much in cold rain either. If it dries up, I'm all set to head south.

Either way, this is all great advice.

I would be more concerned about ice patches in the morning than the cold. That and drivers on the road that don't have a clean windshield or frost on the windshield reducing drivers visibility in the morning. You said you have the gear, I assume you know enough to not leave a full water bottle sit outside all night long when it dips to subfreezing temperatures.

long nights make for less mileage than a rider expects in wintertime, but with the right clothes you should be fine.


I say, go for it.

+1 Camping in the cold is not a big deal unless you do not have a sleeping bag and pad suitable for the conditions.

Riding in the cold is a bigger deal, but still very doable in moderate cold like the OP mentioned.

Here's a great article that just came out on Bike Overnights. It's a little extreme (riding over snow on Surly Pugsleys), but handy nonetheless.

https://www.bikeovernights.org/post/h...bike-overnight

ok, I'll come out and be honest, I've done winter stuff all my life, but when it comes to bike touring, I much prefer things to be at least 15c-20c in the day. I have no problems commuting around freezing, but for touring I've never had the urge when its cold.

We are having a relatively mild winter (in Toronto), and I have been cycling all winter. (This is the first year I have ever taken my bike out in February.)

There is a point of diminishing returns with regards to temperature vs. clothing. With the right gear, I have no problem being outside when the temperature is 4 or 5 degrees. 1 or 2 degrees... OK, I can do that... But once the temperature drops below freezing, my hands get cold.

I suppose I could opt for thicker gloves, but the bulk I am already wearing makes braking a little iffy, so I won't be going there.

I'm in Alicante, so if you make it down here, let me know and go out for the day with you. Unfortunately, I live in a dorm-type thing that doesn't allow bicycles, so you wouldn't really have a place to sleep or a safe place for your bike.

I also feel a bit bad for you since the weather looks chilly and miserable for the next week or so, which is right when you're free to ride. It's too bad you couldn't have done this a couple weeks ago.