Bimbache Extrem - Castilla y Leon
An historic event
Pyro / 01.10.2010
The Bimbache Extrem is once again back in the Castille y Leon region of northern Spain. From its roots in in Gran Canaria, via Andalucia, then for the past 3 years based in the north, the Bimbache has become of of the best frequented races in the AR World Series. This years World Championship looks to be no less popular.This region is steeped in history: Avila, where the race will start, is a historic site famous for being the home of St Teresa, a 16th century Carmelite nun and mystic. Salamanca, where the race finishes, was founded by the Celtic Vacceos tribe, beseiged by Hannibal, and formed a major river crossing on the Via de la Plata, a major Roman roadway running north-south through the Iberian Peninsula. We're only around 70km from Segovia and its famous aqueduct where the 2008 race started, and the Camino de Santiago traverses the north of the region, a major pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St James are reputed to be buried. And all four of these, three old cities and one pilgrim road, are named UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Avila sits on what you'd probably term a high plain. It's already 1,200m above sea level (higher than Snowdon, just a little shy of Ben Nevis). It's bounded by mountains, the Guadarrama to the south east, the Sierra de Gredo to the North. Contrasting nicely to London when we left, the weather is bright and sunny, although some rain is forecast for the early days of the race. The land, from the air, looks dry and brown, with little moving surface water, but the mountain regions we flew over look to have a good network of gravel tracks and paths, simplifying race navigation (well, to a degree).
From its Urban Orienteering start in Avila on Sunday the race will traverse 700km, through one mountain range (the Sierra de Gredos), 2 National Parks and 8 provinces to finish in the town of Salamanca. We'll be following the teams along their journey, taking in the history, and letting you know how it's all going!
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