Casa Magica

25/03/2023

It's not everyday that the Volta de Catalunya passes your front door so we took the opportunity to walk up the street and watch the lads zoom past.
Ineos Team Car captured for Mrs H (Ineos star employee...) to brag about.

23/01/2023

https://www.strava.com/activities/8426894466

I wouldn't normally go 40km by bike to do an English class, but it was a Saturday and the only classes I had done with Juan were via Zoom, so I thought it would be nice to get a few miles in as well as doing a more personal English teaching class.

The class went well and the 'pan tomaca and cafe' which Juan had prepared also went down very well.

What wasn't quite as good was the ride home, tired and into an strengthening headwind. In the end Mrs H came to rescue me just outside Sant Pere!

Photo shows me and Juan. One of the better ones of me, it must be said.

20/01/2023

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnozdYRI5N9/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Great short video from Gobik about the cycling group I ride with, Penedes Nord.

Gobik provide bespoke kit for the group. It's decent stuff.

The video is pretty representative of the kind of riding around here.

13/01/2023

Avid followers of this page will no doubt have spotted the slight rebrand to Casa Magica. This is just an attempt to pull various threads under the one banner, and as we have no intention of moving here for the next few years, it seemed to make sense to put it all under Casa Magica, our home.

As well as being our permanent base, Casa Magica (Magic House in English – the name was here before we got here, in case you’re wondering…), is also open to any visitors wanting a Spanish holiday. The area around here has a huge amount to offer, especially for anyone who likes the great outdoors, but with its countryside setting, swimming pool and large grounds, it’s also a place to just chill out. Visitors have the run of the downstairs part of the house – a self-contained, self-catering unit.

More info on the new website (https://www.casa-magica.net/).

17/10/2022

CYCLING TO ANDORRA
https://www.strava.com/activities/7967736551

In this case, the numbers do lie, as the final distance from Sant Quinti up to Andorra was more like 200km than 145km, with an elevation around 3,500metres and total ride time about 8.5hours. I just need to remember to turn the Strava back on after a break.

Some wonderful scenery, especially the area between Solsona and Cambrils, which were also the most challenging part of the ride with double digit elevation figures, as you can see in the photos. The descent from the top of the climb here was particularly exhilarating.

But it was a fun ride, with some good company and the evening spent in Andorra was an unexpected bonus – I can’t remember the last time I got tipsy and stayed out to 2am in a raucous bar/nightclub!

Get in touch if this is the kind of ride you’d like to have a go at.

(Castellaño)
En este caso, los números si mienten, ya que la distancia final desde Sant Quinti hasta Andorra fue más de 200 km que de 145 km, con una elevación de unos 3500 metros y un tiempo total de viaje de unas 8,5 horas. Solo necesito recordar volver a encender Strava después de un descanso.

Algunos paisajes maravillosos, especialmente el área entre Solsona y Cambrils, que también fueron la parte más desafiante del viaje con cifras de elevación de dos dígitos, como se puede ver en las fotos. El descenso desde la cima de la escalada aquí fue particularmente estimulante.

Pero fue un viaje divertido, con buena compañía y la noche que pasé en Andorra fue algo inesperada: ¡no recuerdo la última vez que me semi-emborraché y me quedé hasta las 2 de la mañana en un bar/discoteca ruidoso!

09/10/2022

Not every ride ends up with some wine tasting, but it’s nice when it does! This is the country house La Torreta, about 10km west of Casa Magica, at around 500m altitude with some great views. If this is your idea of winter training, then please get in touch!

https://www.strava.com/activities/7934662131

27/09/2022

WINTER TRAINING IN NOTHERN SPAIN

We’re getting ready for the cooler weather now, with the cycle and outdoor activities taking a back seat while we continue to work on the Casa Magica site. But Active Holidays Spain is still open and for any athletes or active people from the UK who would like to join us here in the sunnier climes of northern Spain for some winter training, they are very welcome. You can make up your own package of activities or we can put something together for you.
More information about facilities and prices of a stay at Casa Magica are on the website:
https://www.pfhproductions.co.uk/active-holidays-spain

But they are also below:
October 2022 - March 2023
Prices per night.
2 People – 100 Euros
3 People – 120 Euros
4 People – 140 Euros
5 People – 150 Euros
6 People – 160 Euros

Self-service breakfast included.

Contact Phil Haskins 07985 311096 or [email protected] or via FB.

PFH Productions is the website of East Yorkshire based Phil Haskins. Phil is an author, company director and sporting event organiser. He welcomes enquiries about any of them.

25/08/2022

Penedes 360 – Day 4 SOUTH (The Coast and Back) (95km / 1238m)
(Castellano Abajo)

No nasty surprises (i.e. steep slopes) on today’s route which saw a brisk descent down to the Mediterranean coast passing through pretty pine forests and vine fields, with many of the roads being clogged up with tractors and trailers loaded with freshly picked grapes, taking them to the big wine and Cava producers to be pressed.

Then it was a quick coffee and donut in Vilanova on the sea front before the somewhat harder, uphill return journey, which did feature much of the same scenery, and had the added bonus of the Foix Reservoir and its fairy tale castle in the town of Castellet.

Towards the final few kilometres, the sugar rush of the donut was starting to wear off and the cumulative strain of the previous 3 rides was starting to make itself felt, which, on reflection, was no bad thing given that we are billing the Penedes 360 as a challenge.

So as well as succeeding in making it a challenging series of rides, I also think that each ride is distinctive, taking in different scenery and varied routes. Hopefully, riders who come across will think likewise.

Contact me if interested in joining me for this series of rides, solo or with a group of friends.

Sin sorpresas desagradables (es decir, pendientes pronunciadas) en la ruta de hoy, que vio un descenso rápido hasta la costa mediterránea pasando por hermosos bosques de pinos y campos de viñedos, con muchos de los caminos atascados con tractores y remolques cargados con uvas recién recogidas, llevándolas a los grandes productores de vino y Cava para ser prensados.

Luego fue un café rápido y una rosquilla en Vilanova frente al mar antes del viaje de regreso algo más duro y cuesta arriba, que presentaba gran parte del mismo paisaje, y tenía la ventaja añadida del Embalse de Foix y su castillo de cuento de hadas en la ciudad de Castellet.

Hacia los últimos kilómetros, el subidón de azúcar de la rosqilla empezaba a desvanecerse y la tensión acumulada de los 3 vueltas anteriores comenzaba a sentirse, lo que, pensándolo bien, no estaba mal dado que estamos facturando el Penedés 360 como un desafío.
Entonces, además de lograr que sea una serie desafiante de recorridos, también creo que cada recorrido es distintivo, abarcando diferentes paisajes y rutas variadas. Con suerte, los ciclistas que se crucen pensarán lo mismo.

Contácteme si está interesado en unirse a mí para esta serie de paseos, solo o con un grupo de amigos.

24/08/2022

Penedes 360 – Day 3 EAST (Garaf and Back) (113km / 2324m)
(Castellano Abajo)
https://www.strava.com/activities/7691906395

The stats for today’s ride speak for themselves, and it’s unlikely that I’d do this exact route again – it’s simply too long, too hard and not without a degree of risk on some of the descents that’s simply not worth taking if leading other people.

Having said that, it was a very useful reconnaissance exercise, taking me deep into the Garaf Natural Park and along roads which I’d never been along before with breath-taking views across the coastal plains. The single track route starting at Olivella, then up past the observatory and the Buddhist temple complex is definitely one to do on a single day ride when you’re up for a challenge, but maybe not as part of a multi-day ride with people riding along this type of road for the first time.

In contrast, the surface of the road running from Begues to Avinyou Nou on the return journey was recently tarmacked meaning you could really throw the bike into the corners on the largely downhill trajectory. Definitely one for the future, with the added bonus of views across to Barcelona and the coastline before the descent down to Gava.

Tomorrow it’s the final 360 ride, SOUTH down to the coast – route still being finalised! Anyone wishing to can join me, though I’m unlikely to go very fast, my average is sinking rapidly! Start 8am Casa Magica.

Las estadísticas del recorrido de hoy hablan por sí solas, y es poco probable que vuelva a hacer exactamente esta misma ruta: es simplemente demasiado larga, demasiado difícil y con un grado de riesgo en algunos de los descensos que simplemente no vale la pena tomar si conduce a otras personas.

Dicho esto, fue un ejercicio de reconocimiento muy útil, que me llevó a las profundidades del Parque Natural de Garaf y a lo largo de caminos por los que nunca había estado antes, con impresionantes vistas de las llanuras costeras. La ruta de un solo carril que comienza en Olivella, luego pasa por el observatorio y el complejo de templos budistas es definitivamente algo que se puede hacer en una vuelta de un solo día cuando estás preparado para un desafío, pero tal vez no como parte de un viaje de varios días con personas rodando por este tipo de camino por primera vez.

Por el contrario, la superficie de la carretera que va de Begues a Avinyou Nou en el viaje de regreso fue asfaltada recientemente, lo que significa que realmente podrías tirar la bicicleta en las esquinas en la trayectoria en gran parte cuesta abajo. Definitivamente uno para el futuro, con la ventaja añadida de vistas a Barcelona y la costa antes del descenso a Gava.

Mañana es el último viaje 360, SUR hasta la costa, ¡la ruta aún está en proceso de finalización! Cualquiera que desee puede unirse a mí, aunque es poco probable que vaya muy rápido, ¡mi promedio se está hundiendo rápidamente! Inicio 8am Casa Mágica.

23/08/2022

Penedes 360 – Day 2 WEST (Castles Loop) (76 km / 1313 m)
(Castellano Abajo)
https://www.strava.com/activities/7685208470

Over 1,000 years ago, the area around the Penedes was the front line between the opposing forces of Islam and Christendom. Around 800, Charlemagne had managed to push the invading Moors back to a line running from Barcelona to Lleida, establishing the Spanish March which would be the battle ground of the antagonistic forces for the next few hundred years. Evidence of this struggle can be found throughout the Penedes, in particular in its (now crumbling and much reduced) castle complexes, perched on hilltops overlooking strategic points on rivers and at valley heads. This morning’s figure of eight takes in some of those castles.

Though not as far or with as much climbing, there’s no getting away from the fact that the legs are still feeling that climb up Montserrat from the previous day, so the reduced distance is welcome, as is the fact that most of the climbing is done in the first part of the ride. The roads are virtually devoid of traffic and the scenery in particular is equal to anywhere in Europe (my opinion).

Tomorrow it’s a loop to the EAST, heading towards Barcelona – route still being finalised! Anyone wishing to can join me, though I’m unlikely to go anywhere above a 22km/h average. Start 8am Casa Magica.

Photos: Cava from previous evening, not en route!

Penedes 360 – Día 2 OESTE (Castles Loop) (76 km / 1313 m)

Hace más de 1000 años, el área alrededor del Penedés era la primera línea entre las fuerzas opuestas del Islam y la cristiandad. Alrededor del año 800, Carlomagno había logrado hacer retroceder a los invasores moros a una línea que iba de Barcelona a Lleida, estableciendo la Marcha Española, que sería el campo de batalla de las fuerzas antagónicas durante los siguientes cientos de años. La evidencia de esta lucha se puede encontrar en todo el Penedés, en particular en sus complejos de castillos (ahora en ruinas y muy reducidos), encaramados en las cimas de las colinas que dominan los puntos estratégicos de los ríos y las cabeceras de los valles. La figura de ocho de esta mañana toma algunos de esos castillos.

Aunque no tan lejos ni con tanta escalada, no se puede escapar del hecho de que las piernas todavía sienten que subieron a Montserrat del día anterior, por lo que la distancia reducida es bienvenida, al igual que el hecho de que la mayor parte de la escalada ya está hecha en la primera parte del recorrido. Las carreteras están prácticamente desprovistas de tráfico y el paisaje en particular es igual a cualquier lugar de Europa (mi opinión).

Mañana es un bucle hacia el ESTE, en dirección a Barcelona, ¡la ruta aún está por finalizar! Cualquiera que desee puede unirse a mí, aunque es poco probable que vaya a un lugar por encima de un promedio de 22 km/h. Inicio 8am Casa Mágica.

Fotos: Cava de la noche anterior, ¡no en ruta!