RIDE TO THE VALENCIA MARKET

Story and Photos by ITN European Reporter Herve’ Rebollo.

Salut à vous riders from all over the world,

In this mid-April, the idea was once again having a (very) long road trip, find sun and discover another European country/culture: ok, let’s g to Spain!! And more precisely, to Valencia.

Ok, go South!!! In the cold but under the sun. A perfect weather for many bikers who took some days of vacations for their first spring ride. I met many interesting guys during my coffee breaks.

My first target was to join my old road mate, Pat’, the Dixon shirt biker, living in the nice city of Frontignan, near by the Mediterranean sea. First stage on this Friday: 800km/500 miles

On the same time, our blondes left by plane directly to Spain. The idea for Pat’ and I was to join them two days later crossing Pyrenean mountains using only tiny roads and then join the sunny Spanish coast.

It was supposed to be sunny, warm. Years of motorcycling and … still naive.

Less than one hour after leaving Pat’s house, heading west up the sea towards Spain, we were out in the rain and cold.

And two hours later, we stopped at an unlikely bar, totally, definitely soaked from head to toe.

We hadn’t even crossed the old border yet (you remember that there are no more borders between the countries of the European Union).

We finally crossed the old border two hours later, wet but really happy to be on the road and entering Spain.

On slippery mountains roads, in the fog and under a light rain, we finally realized we had to change plans if we wanted to reach Valencia in less than three days, and stopped in the small village of Ripoll, somewhere in the mountains. This was absolutely not what we had planned.

We were exhausted but happy.

Maybe because the hotel owner offers us free cold Spanish beers?

Ripoll is in the province of Girona, in Catalonia. It is located on confluence of the Ter river and its tributary Freser, near the border of France.

Ripoll has a (very) humid subtropical climate with cool winters and warm to hot summers. As in many areas of the province of Girona, rainfall is well distributed throughout the year. And especially when two French bikers who were certain to find the sun in Spain make a stop in the city.

But after one last local beer … everything was under control.

And once we’re back in our room, optimistic as ever, we always find effective solutions to our biker problems. In this particular case, it was absolutely necessary to dry our gloves.

The next day, the weather was still rainy. We decided to leave the mountains and head straight to the coast via the highway. What a shame. I never take highways! And it was a nightmare. Stuck in the traffic jam amidst thousands of trucks from all over Europe.

We finally reach Valencia and find our beautiful wives.

Valencia, officially Valéncia, is the capital of the province and autonomous community of the same name in Spain. It is located on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula on the mediterranean Sea.

Starting in the mid-1990s, Valencia, formerly an industrial centre, saw rapid development that expanded its cultural and tourism possibilities …

… and transformed it into a newly vibrant city.

Many local landmarks were restored. Whole sections of the old city have been extensively renovated.

The Passeig Marítim, a 4 km (2 mi) long palm tree-lined beach promenade, was constructed along the beaches of the north side of the port.

Valencia is known for its gastronomic culture. The paella, a simmered rice dish with meat (usually chicken or rabbit) or seafood, was born in Valencia.

And of course, there’s a local Harley Davidson dealership where we stopped. No choice!

But, it was time to get back to the main objective of this road trip: discovering the local market, El mercado Central.

Mercado Central or Mercat Central (English: Central Market) is a public market located across from the Llotja de la Seda and the Church of Santos Juanes in central Valencia.

It is one of the main works of the Valencian Art Nouveau.

In 1839, the spot had been used to inaugurate an open-air marketplace called Mercat Nou. By the end of the century the city of Valencia sponsored a contest for the construction of a new roofed market. A new contest in 1910 selected the present design.

Construction began in 1914 and was not fully completed until 1928.

The Central Market of Valencia is one of the largest in Europe; it covers more than 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft), with a predominantly Valencian Art Nouveau style. Its unusual roof comprises original domes and sloping sections at different heights, while the interior seems to be lined in a range of materials such as iron, wood, ceramics and polychromed tiles. The beauty of the building stands out especially on account of the light that enters through the roof at various points, and through coloured window panels.

Most vendors sell food items.

Although souvenir shops and restaurants are located inside the market as well. It is a popular location for tourists and locals alike.

If you love food, then you will enjoy the fresh produce, their colour and flavour, and if you value richness, variety and quality in the kitchen, then the Central Market in Valencia is a paradise you cannot miss out on.

It is an essential place to visit in the city, with an enormous collection of modernist architecture containing fresh produce from the Valencia orchard and all the flavour and aromas from the Mediterranean.

This Valencia agora has more than 250 stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables, especially oranges, tomatoes and beans.

Meat, cheese, spices, nuts, spices fish, seafood are just some of the other products on offer, yet it is the live eels that seem to catch everyone’s attention.

If you do not want to buy anything, but you want to taste the food, you can stop at the Central Bar.

The Central Market’s traditional bar, where you can have tapas, assorted dishes and sandwiches. Whether you want to buy products or enjoy the cuisine, the Central Market is a magical place.

There can be no doubt: Valencia’s Central Market is one of the jewels in the crown. It’s a great place and we are really pleased having discovered it.

Ok, one last Sangria on the central place …

And it’s time say goodbye to our lovely spouses (who have to catch their flight) and get back on the road for us!

Crossing the Pyrenees mountain range in the sun and returning to France.

It was a 3500km / 2200 miles round trip. It was definitely worth it, even though the weather was not exactly what I’d hoped (even in Valencia, it was nice but almost cold). I hope you get the chance to visit this beautiful city soon.