Cyclists cycling from Ubrique to Tarifa

JIMENA We came across this group at one of our favourite watering holes on Saturday morning. We were up early and so was the bar, but these guys told us they had been up since about 4am. No wonder: they were cycling from Ubrique, through Jimena, on to Castellar, Algeciras and eventually to Tarifa - wonder how many actually made it. The bar was crammed with colourful costumes, sweat and much ribaldry. How we got them to pose is still a mystery.

'Tour de Andalucía' rides through Campo de Gibraltar

Through Castellar they go!
(Photo: europasur.es/Erasmo Fenoy)

Sergio Abeja wins first stage

CASTELLAR (Agencies) The Vuelta de Andalucía flew through the Campo yesterday following the Ruta del Sol, starting at Atlanterra, through Tarifa, Algeciras and Los Barrios, turning uphill at the Los Timbales crossroads to and through Castellar, and on to the upper reaches of Alcaidesa and Sotogrande, then on up to Torreguadiaro towards the second stage (the race started in San Fernando) finish at Benalmádena. The third stage, from Málaga to Lucena, is tomorrow.

Councillor in serious cycling accident

(Photo: Europa Sur)

ALGECIRAS (Agencies) Acting Councillor for Sport on Algeciras Council, Julio Martínez Fírvida, 69, was involved in a serious accident while out cycling yesterday afternoon on the A-7 at the turn off for the A-381. He and his companion were taken to the hospital. Fírvida has fractures of the face and other contusions, while his companion was released after treatment. Guardia Civil reports indicate that the bikes collisioned with each other to avoid hitting or being hit by an Opel Frontera accessing the A-7. The acting Councillor, a long time cycling enthusiast, is due to leave his post on June 10 as the result of recent local elections.

Cyclists lost in the mountains

JIMENA The Local Police of Jimena and the Guardia Civil were called out last Saturday evening to rescue two cyclists who got lost in the dense cork forest at a place known as La Orcilla. Despite the fact that they had a GPS system as well as mobile phones, the cyclists were caught out by nightfall and decided to call the 112 emergency service. The Local Police's deep knowledge of the area was instrumental in locating the cyclists, who had no idea where they were and were unable to direct their rescuers, and returning them to the hotel at which they were staying.

Spanish Tour de France winner Alberto Contador proves positive in test

SPAIN  (Agencies) In a release from his own press office, Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador has said that he proved positive for the banned drug clenbuterolin a test carried out on July 21, during the Tour de France. He attributes the fact to "food contamination." The communiqué said that "expert consultants up to now agree that food contamination is the cause" particularly when considering the number of tests Contador passed during the Tour. Alberto Contador will hold a press conference today.

He cycles across Spain to raise money for his kids' school library

CASARES
Jan Doorakers lives in Casares and has three children at the Colegio Blas Infante there. The school library needed a boost and Jan came to the rescue. The photo shows him handing over a cheque for €3,300 which he collected  after cycling 2,300 kms in 23 days. He left his home town of Oisterwiik on May 8 for Paris, boarded a train to Perpignan and then crossed Spain from North to South all the way to Casares - about 100 kms a day. Councillor Pedro González and the school teachers were not only grateful but also amazed at the amount Jan collected, which will now go towards setting up a reading programme for the kids.