The Trans Iberia is our newest end-to-end road cycling tour, from Barcelona to Porto through the heart of Spain and Portugal. We caught up with our biggest iconic journeys fan, Russ, who recently completed this brand new tour for 2026. Having already taken on some of our most epic rides, Russ shares his highlights from the journey and our other iconics he’s experienced with us.
How have you enjoyed the trip so far?
I’ve loved it. The route has included a fabulous variety of cycling, with just the right level of challenge. I’ve been arriving at each hotel exhausted, but with time to refresh and recover! The standard of hotel accommodation and restaurants has been super and of course, the guides, Manuel and Aitor are great! Plus, the wonderful Spanish food and occasional glass of wine!
Any highlights along the way?
I was blown away on day two by the climb from La Riba through the most beautiful canyon. That will be hard to beat.
People create memories, so the mountain top village of Moscardon, where we paused to allow a friendly shepherd and his flock of sheep to cross. Then, in the evening, we were served the most amazing mixed grill of pork in the village’s small and welcoming restaurant.
The arrival into the medieval, walled city of Cuenca after a long, 100km century ride and that shocking finish up the cobbled, hairpin bend up to our fabulous hotel.
How does this compare with the other Iconic Journeys you have done?
I love all the iconic journeys because you literally get a feel and taste of the country by cycling over the hills and sampling the regional cuisines. The camaraderie and sense of achievement is incredible. That said, each have their unique flavours.
Italy’s grand traverse is one of the more challenging, but the scenery is forever changing along the dramatic coastline, across the mountains and through beautiful towns. Finishing in Venice is special.
Riding from the channel to the Mediterranean across France is a joy which starts gently in Brittany, then becomes progressively more undulating in the central areas (eg. Dordogne), which means everyone is in good shape by the time you hit the Pyrenees. A celebratory swim in the sea in Nice is a must.
Despite living in the UK, riding from Lands End to John O’Groats was an eye opener – I was taken on roads and to places I’d never been before. The Scottish Highlands are amazing. The food journey was fun too, experiencing Cornish pasties, Welsh lamb and Haggis. I would argue, a full English or Scottish breakfasts can’t be beaten!
Prague to Venice has the bragging rights for crossing four countries. Some of the days’ cycling is a little shorter, which is great because there is so much history to explore – for a few days, the route follows the old Iron Curtain between Czech Republic and Austria. I became a big fan of Svíčková – beef tenderloin served with dumplings, cranberries, and whipped cream – that’s proper cycling food!
But Spain is extra special and whether you ride North to South, or now East to West, as you can now do from Barcelona to Porto, it’s an immersive journey in Spanish history and culture. Olive groves, vineyards, Iberico pork, regional cheeses – it’s a way of life that’s so easy to slip into. There’s not much of Spain that’s flat, but the routes avoid the extremes too, so yes, the riding is challenging but in a Goldilocks kind of way.
The new Trans Iberia route from Barcelona to Porto has all the makings of another classic Saddle Skedaddle Iconic journey.
