Nestled in the vibrant landscapes of Andalucía, Toro Blanco Active Holidays stands out as a beacon for cycling enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Founded by Chris Roy, a former professional triathlete with a rich background in sports science and personal training, Toro Blanco offers guided cycling tours that are as exhilarating as they are culturally enriching.
In this exclusive interview, Chris shares his journey from the athletic tracks to the entrepreneurial path of creating unique active holidays, unveiling the passion and meticulous planning that go into each Toro Blanco cycling tour.
Join us as we pedal through the scenic routes, explore the tailored experiences offered, and discover how Toro Blanco is changing the face of active holidays in Spain.
Chris, could you start by telling us a bit about your background and what led you to start Toro Blanco Active Holidays?
I was the founder of Toro Blanco Personal Training in Aberdeen in 2009, and I have rich background in health and fitness, speciality in metabolic diseases. With a Bachelor’s (1stHons) degree in Applied Sports Science and a professional history in sports, I have accumulated extensive knowledge and experience in exercise Anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, and biomechanics. My passion for sport has been a lifelong affair, and I was on track to participate in the 2006 Commonwealth Games .(100m fly (2004/2005 spent in Sydney SOPAC with NSW) before an injury redirected my career path.
Despite this setback, I transitioned into a successful eight-year stint as a professional triathlete (Living in Spain as a Pro and the culture and learning Spanish for 11 yrs). My personal training company, Toro Blanco Personal Training Ltd, focuses on individuals with health issues such as obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and those requiring rehabilitation from injuries. My approach is informed by my academic background and my practical experience in sports, fitness, cardio rehabilitation and experience within the institute of sport, which I leverage to create extensive personalised health and fitness training programmes for individuals who are lacking in god secondary care.
The decision to start Toro Blanco Active Holidays 2021 stems from various factors 1) commitment to improving clients’ fitness and well-being, tailored to their lifestyle needs. 2) My holistic approach and dedication to client progress are evident in the testimonials from those who have trained by me and with me and I feel with the team of great coaches I can provide in a holiday package for people. 3) My expertise and passion for fitness and health shine through in my work, making Toro Blanco a notable name in helping get the best out of people even while on a holiday themselves. 5) having lived in Spain firstly as an athlete and as a coach, I have made some great connections with guides, coaching, hotels managers, bike mechanics and those involved in logistics. We can provide unparalleled expertise for those seeking VIP guided cycling tour experiences. I would also say its uncommon that a company like ours can offer 5 guides of such a high calibre to anyone wanting to experience an active holiday like this.
What can participants expect from a typical day on one of your guided cycling tours?
Morning:
A WhatsApp group of the tour is created pre tour where all organisation detail or there for all guests. Guests are advised to have their larger suitcase ready to be taken at 8:00 in the morning for the guide to take the bags to next hotel. After this, guests go to breakfast.
Breakfast at your accommodation – Hotel, providing the energy needed for the day’s activities.
After breakfast, you’ll meet with the guides and prepare for the day’s ride. Bikes will be checked and fitted the night before as well as cleaned via the mechanic or tour, and any necessary adjustments made. Around 10:30 There is a radio check of all guides and positions of front vehicle and back vehicle plus the two cycle guides are in pace to protect all cyclists and e bikers and we push off from hotel entrance.
The cycling journey starts, taking you through amazing scenery, including hilltop towns, dramatic mountains, and possibly lovely winding descents.
Midday:
A mid-ride break is usually scheduled for a coffee at a scenic spot, allowing you to rest and enjoy the local atmosphere and allow the guides discuss how the morning has gone, we also make sure that we check over the guests, fill the bottles with hydration drinks and see that all guests are happy we also discuss again the 2nd half of the route. And what is expected.
The ride continues, exploring more of Andalusia’s rich countryside. On one of the three optional days some guests will also visit visits to monuments and UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Alhambra Palace in Granada and El Caminito del Rey near Malaga. Which isi also included in the price of the holiday.
Lunch is enjoyed either on the route or back at the accommodation, depending on the day’s itinerary.
Post-lunch activities may include additional sightseeing, or relaxation time, normally the later, in the new hotel which are stunning Finca’s or Cortijo converted into 4 star hotels.
Some days may offer walking excursions or other non-cycling activities to enjoy the local culture and landscapes, like I wrote about above.
Evening:
Dinner is served at the hotel or a local restaurant, featuring delicious meals and drinks of the local area.
The evening is your time to relax, socialise with fellow cyclists/walkers, and share stories of the day’s adventures.
At this point once we have cleaned all the guests bikes and filled all the 4×4 with fuel, all guides will leave the guests and go to a chosen hostel by me.
Its important that all guests can see that they are being treated extremely well and all guides known their place, meaning we do not eat with them as these hotel are expensive and we all need to remember those on holiday are the guests and none of the guides. I have picked my guides very well and all know how to make the guests feel at ease and special which is what they are on this holiday. No issue is to big for us to deal with.
Andalucía is known for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. How do these characteristics influence the routes you choose for your cycling tours?
We have thought long and hard for many years about the cycle route we are taking the guests on. This is why we are taking them through three very diverse areas. Malaga which is an almost tropical type temperature and landscape, Antequera which is more rolling hills and Olive oil farming and trees, pushing on towards Granada where the landscape is rugged and bigger peaks the city lying at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada with its high mountains of 3400 m in elevation which allows any dynamic group that we have be split between visits to the Alhambra and others taking the challenge of cycling to the top of Europe highest paved road. We end the route with an amazing entrance into the almost desert like area of Guadix where also of the spaghetti westerns were filed in Europe in the 50s and 60s and has huge significance over the decades, from caves where the locals live in to the pottery and arts that Guadix is still famous for today. In essence what I am trying to say is that there are 5 difference criteria we used when we were creating this company and the special route Beauty, cultural sites which Andalusia has many of local cuisine, terrain to make things challenging but achievable for all and a great hub of accessibility for all of the worlds tourists to start out Tb Active Holiday throughout the year:
Scenic Beauty: The routes are chosen to pass through areas that highlight Andalusia’s natural beauty, such as the orange groves, olive trees, and the dramatic limestone formations of Torcal de Antequera.
Cultural Sites: The tours often include visits to historical and cultural landmarks, like the ancient burial mounds in Antequera and the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Alhambra Palace in Granada
Local Flavors: Stops in small market villages allow cyclists to experience local life and cuisine, such as the asparagus of Huétor Tájar and the tapas bars of Loja.
Terrain: The routes are designed to accommodate a range of cycling abilities, with undulating roads that provide both a challenge and enjoyment
Accessibility: The starting points are chosen for their accessibility, such as the proximity to Malaga, making it convenient for travellers to begin their journey
Given Andalucía’s climate, are there particular times of the year that are best for cycling holidays? How does Toro Blanco accommodate seasonal changes in its tour schedules?
We run our tours 1-2 x per month In March, April, May and sometimes in June (early June) depending on interest. We then stop and restart in mid-September where we have two tours in September and 2 in October and 1 in November. We shall then restart the following March. However, having said this we are adaptable and have had private tours (as long as they reach 8 guests we put on a full package for them) Any time of the year. This is which might be of interest for you to know we are trying a special tour during August which is called the “La Vuleta A Espana Special” this will include three stages of the tour of Spain where our guests are taken o see three stages of the tour, he start of stage 6 the midway point of stage 7 and final of stage 8. Along and part of their guided cycling tour. Let’s see if this creates interest for some new visitors.
What kind of support and equipment does Toro Blanco provide to cyclists on these tours, especially for those who might not be very experienced?
The most important point is that we are all ex-coaches so therefore we are very well experienced in dealing with those guests who are new to cycling or active holidays or need more help, they relax when they know we understand their needs. Remember we are a ratio of 1 guide per 3 guests. I would say we can provide almost more for the guests with less experience than with those whom have more experience.
We also provide the following:
Support Vehicles: Support vehicles accompany the cyclists, providing assistance for breaks, repairs, or emergencies.
Refreshments, Tools, and Spares: These are supplied along with the tours to handle any immediate needs or repairs.
E-bikes: For those who may need a little extra help, e-bikes with electric motors are available to make the cycling experience more accessible.
Tailored Bikes: Different bike sizes and options for male & female bikes are available, ensuring a perfect fit for height, comfort, and preference.
Well-Maintained Equipment: Bikes come equipped with necessary accessories like helmets, disc brakes, and comfortable saddles.
Coaching like I said before Where appropriate of course , coaching is provided to help improve cycling techniques and confidence on the road.
Small Group Sizes: This allows for a more personalised experience and ensures that each cyclist receives the attention they need.
With these provisions, I believe TB Active Holidays caters to both novice and experienced cyclists, making the tours accessible and enjoyable for everyone, what is more important is that if guests feel we don’t we are able to adapt very fast due to the calibre of our guides and can get or change whatever is needed given little notice. Few other guides cycling companies can do this. I would also say that many of the points above come as optional extra on guided cycling or even non guided cycling holiday and then the client/guest gets ripped off due to expense of the extras. We did many months of research on this before we decided to make this a full all inclusive holidays.
Andalucía offers a range of natural landscapes, from coastal views to mountainous terrains. What are some of the most breathtaking scenic routes that Toro Blanco offers?
I don’t want to give too much away as we already have had a few other companies trying to copy our tour by staying in the same hotels this year, which is new to us.
- The Malaga to Antequera (Day 2) is a very special route, leaving a very tropical area with lemon and line groves, orange trees and passing through the Incredible Caminito Del Rey up into a Plateau coming along and into Antequera, seeing the olive groves in every direction. We are traveling Northeast throughout, and the constant changing landscape keeps the guests “au-inspired” throughout this first day of cycling.
- The Granada to Sierra Nevada Day whereby you creep out of the sleep town at the foothills of “Pico de Valeta” and over the course of 3 + hrs you start creating and re-creating the most amazing /stunning view over all of Andalusia. You have no words by the time you reach the top, firstly because you are near to 3000 M of altitude and secondly because very few have seen such a diversity in views from all 4 corners of the same mountain. All the while you are being taken care of by 4-5 guides and two vehicles just in case any guest thinks its too much for them. We shall take them the rest of the way be vehicle so they to can see the magic at the top.
What future developments can we expect from Toro Blanco Active Holidays? Are there new routes or types of tours you plan to introduce?
Yes are going to be adding an extra day to take in the amazing city of Cordoba and we are looking into Jaen to see if we can find the correct route that gives us the safety and connected back roads to take us from one to another. All this depends on the guests and general public understand the value in an all-inclusive VIP type cycling/walking tour as a means to seeing all of Andalusia. I find many guests who email and call us who might be interested on the tours either want something for nothing or think they can do this tour themselves. It would be extremely difficult to do this themselves unless they are bilingual and understand the culture, roads and hotels well. We are constantly asking our past guests how we can improve and amongst ourselves we all have the mind set of self-improvement from our coaching backgrounds.
For someone visiting Andalucía for the first time on a guided cycling tour, what are the top three must-do experiences?
1) The thrill of being in the middle of no-where looking up at the view, amongst other like minded people, knowing you are being guided, helping and looked after and can feel truly happy without a care in the world, with the sun on your back and stopping now and again to take in another view or tapas or similar.
2) Visiting the Alhambra with our guides who can tell you all about the history behind it and similar with el Caminito del Rey near Malaga.
3) Cycle up the Sierra Nevada and the views from the top are breath taking, there are few views like this in the world.
4) A must do, is to lead the group down some winding descents or onto some of the great planes, with no one in front you get a front seat to the world ahead of you, with only the lead vehicle a distance in front. Opening up the road for you.
From the editor…
Chris Roy’s vision for Toro Blanco Active Holidays transcends the typical vacation experience, offering a deep dive into the heart of Andalucía through the lens of guided cycling adventures.
With an emphasis on sustainability, cultural immersion, and personalized care, Toro Blanco is not just about exploring new terrains but also about promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle. Participants leave with not only memories of Spain’s breathtaking landscapes and historical sites but also a newfound appreciation for the meticulous planning and passion that Chris and his team pour into every tour.
As Toro Blanco looks to expand its horizons, Chris remains committed to enhancing the active holiday experience, proving that the journey can be just as rewarding as the destination.
You can learn more about Toro Blanco Active Holidays and connect with Chris at: www.guidedcyclingholidays.com or via Facebook and Instagram.
