Some rides are remembered for the tiredness brought upon your legs. Some rides stay with you because of the scenery, a special overnight stop, or a thrilling descent. And some rides deliver, well - everything. Agony and ecstasy. Physical suffering, and sheer joy. This was one of these occasions…
This spring, Carradice ambassador Iza Murtagh took on one of Europe's toughest long-distance audax events – the Súper Brevet Al-Andalus "Tierra de Venus". Covering 2,000 kilometres with an incredible 23,500 metres of climbing, the route traces the perimeter of Andalucía, taking riders through all eight provinces of southern Spain.
On 30 May 2026, 31 riders from six different nationalities gathered in the small town of Castillo de Locubín, around 70 kilometres north of Granada. The introductions were brief. Within minutes of the start, the road reared skywards into gradients of 15%, offering an immediate taste of what lay ahead.
Organised by Randonneurs Andalucía, riders had 8 1⁄2 days to complete the route. Overnight controls, spaced roughly every 200–270 kilometres, naturally broke the ride into manageable stages, but every day still demanded determination, careful pacing, and resilience.
Riding across Andalucía
The route showcased everything that makes Andalucía such a remarkable place to ride.
Towering mountain passes gave way to sweeping coastal roads before a brutal 1,000-metre climb from sea level hauled riders back into the mountains. Endless olive groves stretched across the landscape, while the plains around Seville offered a completely different rhythm before the route threaded through hundreds of traditional towns and villages.
Those villages became essential stopping points, where cafés supplied the fuel every long-distance rider dreams about in the Spanish heat - ice coffee, Fanta Limón, and endless bottles of cold water.
And there was plenty of heat.
Day after day, temperatures climbed well into the mid-30s and often exceeded 40°C, making hydration and sensible pacing just as important as strong legs.
Packing for the Unknown
While many riders travelled as light as possible, Iza chose a different approach.
Mounted to her bike was a Carradice Field Green Barley Saddlebag, supported by a Bagman Sport QR Rack. Together, they carried everything she needed for more than a week on the road.
In fact, Iza was the only rider in the event carrying a complete change of clothes along with tools and spare parts on the bike. That extra preparation proved invaluable during the ride, allowing her to deal with mechanical problems, stay comfortable over multiple days, and remain self-sufficient throughout one of Europe's toughest brevets.
It was a reminder that, in long-distance cycling, carrying a little more can sometimes mean worrying a lot less.
More Than the Finish Line
Only 25 riders completed the event, with others forced to abandon because of injury, extreme heat, or the relentless nature of the route.
For Iza, however, the experience became about far more than reaching the finish.
"I went to Spain to have an adventure, and I definitely got that, plus so much more.”
“There were hard times and difficult moments, but there were also incredible memories.”
“I made new friendships, learnt from our Spanish audax cousins and experienced amazing hospitality along the way.”
“Whether it was helping me through mechanical issues or introducing me to the local way of randonneuring, everyone I met made the journey unforgettable."
Built for Adventures like this
Events like Tierra de Venus remind us what Audax is really about. It's not simply riding from one control to the next - it's about self-reliance, camaraderie, discovering new places, and embracing whatever the road throws at you.
For almost a century, Carradice saddlebags have accompanied riders on journeys exactly like this. Built to carry everything needed for the unexpected, they continue to prove that timeless design still has a place on the most demanding adventures.
Congratulations to Iza on an incredible achievement, and thank you for once again showing that adventure doesn't have to be fast or ultralight - it simply has to begin.
Here’s a link to the ride on Ride with GPS.
