"The Al-Andalus Empire was the Muslim-ruled region of the Iberian Peninsula from the early 8th to the late 15th century, and its legacy still shapes Spain today. Stretching from the Pyrenees to the southern coast, it was a hub of cultural exchange where Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities coexisted and advanced science, art, agriculture, and architecture in ways that would ripple across Europe for centuries."
"Spain's summer heat isn't just uncomfortable-it's punishing in a way that shapes everything around it. In July and August, much of the country bakes under a relentless sun, with temperatures regularly soaring into the 40s °C (pushing 104°F). Riding through that kind of heat isn't simply a physical challenge; it's a test of planning, patience, and self-preservation. For Adam and Leo, the conditions forced a complete recalibration of their days:"
Adam Pawlikiewicz and Leo Brasil biked 2,300 kilometers across Spain from Oviedo to Tarifa along the historic Al-Andalus route, blending endurance riding with cultural immersion. The journey traces the legacy of the Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus Empire, whose influence persists in landmarks, irrigation, language, cuisine, and place names. Summer temperatures routinely climbed into the 40s °C, forcing early starts, long mid-day breaks in shade, and late-evening pushes. The ride combined extreme physical challenges with encounters in towns and trails that reflect centuries of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish coexistence and innovation, producing highs, lows, and unexpected lessons.
Read at BikeMag
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