Typically Spanish during the cycling holiday

In previous blogs we have already discussed some typical Spanish dishes and drinks. Most of these are no longer found only on the Costa Blanca, but also in the rest of Spain. Now we list some typically Spanish customs, which you can take into account during the cycling holiday on the Costa Blanca.

Siesta and cycling

The Siësta: a tradition that was common in many warm countries in the old days. Today it is mainly associated with Spain. The siesta is meant as an afternoon nap when the sun is high in the sky. As soon as lunch is finished, it is time to take it easy because of the heat. Cool down in the shade and let the body relax. Research has shown that this is very healthy. For our blog with tips on cycling at high temperatures, check here.

For the very early cyclists, the siesta is an ideal time to relax and recover after a beautiful route. To many others, it mainly means a lot of irritations when you are once again in front of a closed door of a store.

Cooling off in Spain

Especially in the summer months, the temperature on the Costa Blanca can rise above 35 degrees. Where the riders enjoy the road bike and get some cooling from the resulting wind, it can occasionally get quite warm on the coast for accompanying friends or family members. The best way to cool down is to use an abanico. In other words, a fan that provides some cooling with a simple hand movement towards the face. Although it seems that the fan mainly exists as a tourist sales product, nothing could be further from the truth. The Spanish senoras generally still use the fan daily to get some cooling in warm Spain.

Relaxation after exercise

Flamenco: who doesn’t know this dance? After a day full of exercise on the road bike, it is time to find some relaxation in the evening with a snack and a drink. Flamenco is a music genre with an accompanying dance, which originally comes from the south of Spain. They dance on the «Cant Flamenco», the vocals that are often accompanied with a rhythmic beat. For those who want to shake off the leg muscles, dancing along to the rhythm of the music is a good relaxation. And for those who find that a bit too challenging, it is appreciated to join in with the finger clipping (pitas) or clapping the hands (palmas). Flamenco dancers and singers can be found all over the Costa Blanca in the evening on a terrace of a hotel or other entertainment venue. Read more about the Flamenco.

An example of a typical Spanish day during the cycling holiday. Start the day by bike, then take a short siesta and dance the Flamenco in the evening!