Reflections on the Trans-Europa Cycling Tour

 

Ethan Weil was the Content Creator on the 2023 Trans-Europa Cycling Tour.  He sends his final report from Gibraltar.

We have just finished the 2023 Trans-Europa Cycling Tour. It was quite the journey, filled with epic landscapes, historic cities, incredible food, fascinating history and lasting friendships! It was an emotional moment, turning the final corner that revealed the 426 m (1,398 ft) limestone Rock of Gibraltar, the finish line for this 2 1/2 month ride across Europe. The end of a tour can be a flurry of emotions – excitement, gratitude, contentment. There is even a slight bittersweet feeling in the air as the riders prepare to transition from such an adventure back into their daily lives all around the world. The connections made during the tour can develop into lifelong friendships and result in a wonderful network of cycling crazed personalities from all over the world.

Arriving in Gibraltar felt like a perfect way to finish the tour. As we got closer to the British overseas territory we enjoyed our last moments in Spain before crossing the border…where we even had to cycle across the airport runway. It is a truly unique experience. Where else can you bike on an active airport landing strip?! It provided us with a great view of the famous rock with the skyscrapers below providing a unique perspective. Cycling through the town, we soon arrived at our hotel for a sip of bubbly to celebrate the end of the tour!

As the last few days on this tour are a mix of celebration and a scramble of bike boxing logistics, I highly recommend staying for a few days to relax, reflect on the experience and explore the surrounding area. Gibraltar, although a small place, is packed with things to do! We stayed at The Rock Hotel, a beautiful historical hotel with a luxurious art deco aesthetic, perched on the western face of the Rock. The rooms have balcony views overlooking the Bay of Gibraltar where barges, cargo ships, sail boats and military vessels can be seen sailing in and out of the Mediterranean Sea.

Great sunset views can be enjoyed and once the sun dips down below the horizon, the city lights take over. You can see lights from Gibraltar, Spain, and even Morocco out in the distance to the south. On clear days one will be able to see the African continent during the day from the southern beaches or from the top of the viewpoints around Gibraltar. If you’re looking for a relaxing activity, just below the hotel is the Botanical Garden of Gibraltar where it is free for the public to walk around and enjoy all the unique flora.

A trip up to the top of the Rock is an excellent idea as there are plenty of activities up there. As it is quite a steep hike to the top, there is a cable car that will take you up quickly and efficiently. There are also tour vehicles that can take you to all the sites around the Rock. One guide I can recommend is my taxi driver, Alan, who runs Guided Rock Tours. He’s a longtime local and passionate about showing his home to visitors. Whether you choose to walk up, take the cable car, or a tour van, once on the Rock you can enjoy the great views of the surrounding area. Across the bay you can see the Spanish city of Algeciras. If you have multiple days to spend in the area, you can consider booking a ferry ride from Port Algeciras to Morocco, about an hour ferry ride one way.

The highlights to see on the Rock start with Europe’s only monkey population, the Barbary Macaques. They are fun to watch but be aware that they have been known to be little thieves, snagging phones, food, bags and other miscellaneous items. After visiting the Macaques, I suggest making your way to see St. Michaels Cave. I knew very little about what to expect and was blown away by its incredible cave system. Large stalagmites create columns around the cave and there is a light show that is projected onto the cave walls every seven minutes. From the top of the Rock you can also explore World War Two bunkers to learn about the military history of the area. If you get hungry or fancy a drink, there is a restaurant there where you can enjoy the views and relax before taking the cable car back down.

Gibraltar is a special and unique destination and makes for an action-packed ending for the tour. It is a great place to unwind, explore with fellow riders and reflect on the tour. It was heartwarming being able to hear everyone’s exciting and memorable moments from the ride alongside with what plans they have for the future.

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