Conclusions and Recommendations on a self guided cycling tour of Andalucia

Taking on a self guided tour of anywhere is a rewarding challenge which requires more planning and adaptability than any guided or packaged trip will. Unexpected things happen. My carrier broke, I scraped skin off my shoulder, the roads weren't roads like they were on the maps sometimes and a lot more like rivers, the buses wouldn't take my bike, I had tools confiscated in Belfast because they were 'weapons', my phone battery died constantly and not many rooms in Spain have more than one electrical socket, so it was always some kind of toss up between having a camera or a phone ready in the morning, and breakfast doesn't happen in Spain like it does in Ireland. I didn't have guys in an SUV following me around who'd rescue me at the slightest hint of a puncture. If you aren't comfortable with the unexpected then you probably wont enjoy self guided travelling, especially if it is cycling. If you've skipped to the conclusion, I recommend skipping to the training section. None of this happens without some training. All this aside, here are my recommendations if you are considering cycling this, or a similar route in this region:

Do this route in the other direction. Begin at Ronda and move towards Cadiz, and then cut across the south to Marbella. Overall this means the trip will be more downhill than uphill and a little easier that way, with the biggest climbing days towards the start of the trip. Also this way you'd do the Via Verde in its intended direction, downhill!

Do not cycle every day. Organise to take at least every 4th day off the bike, maybe even every 3rd.

Take more time to see the sights, build it into your schedule. There were several amazing things I had to just ignore because I had to make a certain distance every day.

Don't bring too many clothes. I worked out about 20% of what I carried never got used, and you really feel this weight after a few days on the bike.

Don't rely too much on technology. Every night I'd read a map and write out instructions and directions for the next day. The batteries don't die on pencil marks.