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The Rock of Gibraltar comes into view
(thelemmy.club)
This after several weeks of bikepacking (literally: see photo), roughly following the coast from Alicante to Gibraltar, with a couple of short legs by train.
Surprise: it turns out that cycle touring in winter is generally more pleasant than in summer, at least in southern Europe. No need to organize the day around avoiding the midday sun and heat, and accommodation is (slightly) more affordable.
The pedelec motor helps with hills (very welcome when there are cars around). On the flat it changes precisely nothing from traditional touring. The dual suspension made the seat miraculously comfortable from day one, which was a genuine surprise and revelation.
Now in Morocco, accessible in 1 hour by a ferry which takes bikes for free.
Yes, staying in hotels or the cheapest equivalent roofed accommodation. Which gets expensive fast, but I hate camping. If I camped I would indeed be limited to the plusher campsites, which (a) are rare and (b) cost the same as a hostel. There's no winning.