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Taking advantage of World Car-Free Day, BGuara chatted with Fernando Torres, Mayor of Barbastro and cycling enthusiast, about mobility issues and the bicycle as a driving force for territories.
It’s clear to everyone that cities need to move towards other types of mobility, and the Somontano region and Sierra de Guara also need to adapt to this change. BGuara contributes by promoting the use of bicycles as a means of transport, as well as a way to lead a healthier life.
Interview with Fernando Torres
First things first: introductions. Who are you? What do you do for a living? Why do you enjoy it?
Hello, I’m Fernando Torres.
I have been the mayor of Barbastro since June 2019, although I am currently on leave from my public office at a company in my town, to which I will return once this adventure is over.
I have always been very active in the activities and organisations I have been involved with; in fact, I served as president of Barbastro Athletics Club for six years before stepping down to stand in the 2019 local elections.
The greatest satisfaction I have as mayor is being able to work for your neighbours, striving to improve your town, and representing Barbastro wherever I go.
What is your relationship with cycling?
My uncle, José Antonio Torres, ran a bicycle shop and has always been a keen cycling enthusiast.
He instilled this “poison”, this passion, in his children as well as to his nephews and the effects are still being felt.
When I was fourteen, he took me to see a stage finish of the Tour de France for the first time, in Superbagnères, and it was an experience I’ll never forget.
Back then, I could recite the entire line-ups of the Spanish teams of the time from memory and followed every major race without fail, from the first one—which was usually the Vuelta a Andalucía in mid-February—to the Montjuïc Time Trial, which brought the season to a close at the end of October.
Can you tell us a few anecdotes from the Tour de France that you’ve witnessed?
I could recount dozens of stories from those countless sleepless nights we spent on the legendary French mountain passes, waiting for the next day’s stage finish, but in sporting terms, I’ll undoubtedly pick that afternoon of 19 July 1991, in Val Louron, watching live as Claudio Chiapucci and Miguel Induráin blew the race wide open and our Miguel donned the yellow jersey of the Tour de France for the first time.
The memory of having witnessed first-hand that defining moment – the beginning of a legend – still moves me deeply.
How has your life changed since you became mayor? Do you still go running, or have you switched to cycling?
My life has changed completely; the responsibility is total – there’s no getting away from it at any point.
As I always say, my ‘job’ runs on the following schedule: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and even so, it’s impossible to get everything done.
You go from being a ‘nobody’ to being the centre of everyone’s attention and, unfortunately, all too often become an easy target for unconstructive criticism and comments that nobody would want to read or hear about themselves.
My free time has been cut back quite a lot, but I still manage to go for a run, mainly at the weekends with my ‘therapy group’, which we call ‘The Old Guard of the Club’. And I still get out on my bike – both my road bike and my mountain bike – although, due to time constraints, not as much as I’d like.
Do you think cycling is a key sector in the Somontano region and the Sierra de Guara?
Of course. We are incredibly fortunate to live in such a stunning area, with such beautiful scenery, and that makes visitors want to come back time and time again.
Sustainable tourism is on the rise, and it’s lovely to see the cars, vans and caravans arriving in our region with their bikes in tow to enjoy the grandeur and beauty of the countryside.
Can cycling have a positive impact on the economy of small towns?
Without a doubt. Whilst there was already a significant cycling movement before, the pandemic we are currently experiencing has led to a surge in bicycle sales, with many people discovering a new, healthy and fun way to get around and explore places they would otherwise never have been able to visit
The villages in this region possess a unique beauty and charm, and if we make them accessible to cyclists and can provide them with basic, attractive facilities, there is plenty of scope for us to work on and make progress.
What cycling-related initiatives have emerged in Barbastro?
To give some background, I should mention – and I’m rather proud to say – that Barbastro has always been a town closely linked to the world of cycling, with a large following of enthusiasts. The number of these enthusiasts has grown significantly in recent years thanks to the professional career of our cyclist Sergio Samitier, who has generated a tremendous sense of pride and excitement in our town.
Although the pandemic has forced the cancellation of some of them, the Barbastro Cycling Club organises a number of events throughout the year, including both mountain bike and road races. The club is the successor to the Asociación Velocípeda Barbastrense, founded in 1885, and is currently the second oldest cycling club in Spain.
Furthermore, around ten years ago, the Barbastro en Bici Platform was set up, which, in addition to this long-standing campaign for the Greenway, puts forward initiatives and proposals aimed at making the city more cycle-friendly.
Will Barbastro become a cycling-friendly city when it comes to transport?
Well, there is already a cycle lane that we want to improve and extend, and a mobility plan drawn up by the University of Navarra, which was recently presented, proposing new areas and measures to prioritise cycling in the city. In addition, we have upgraded the first section of the Greenway on Avenida de la Estación, which we hope will soon be completed along the entire route linking the towns of Monzón, Castejón del Puente and Barbastro, with the hope that it will then connect to another nature trail that would take us as far as Alquézar.
This nature trail could feature over 50 kilometres of paths for the enjoyment of walkers, runners and cyclists.
What do you think of initiatives like Bguara, which aim to revitalise rural areas through cycling?
I admire and applaud those of you who have the courage to start a business – especially, as in this case, one that is clearly committed to the local area and which, in addition to promoting tourism and raising awareness of our region, encourages the much-needed practice of sport.
Is there a particular route, trail or spot in the Sierra de Guara that you like best? Why would you recommend it?
As I’m more of a runner, I have to say that, apart from ‘my training area’ in Barbastro, the place where I’ve run the most is around Alquézar, with its spectacular footbridges.
But starting from any village in our region, you can find dozens of wonderful routes without setting foot on a single stretch of tarmac.
As far as cycling is concerned, I’ve spent most of my time on my mountain bike exploring the many trails in the Barbastro area, which offer some truly stunning routes surrounded by vineyards and, more importantly, are suitable for all levels.
With my road bike, my rides focus on the traditional route connecting Barbastro with Colungo, and I also really enjoy climbing up to Hoz de Barbastro via the Salas road. It’s a fairly quiet road with a special charm.
To conclude, I’d like to thank you for inviting me to take part in this interview to talk about something I’m passionate about, and I wish you every success with this fantastic project that brings together tourism, nature and sport.
Thank you!
Fernando Torres Chavarría.
