The city has apparently made an effort, on our Sunday bike ride we were guided to some bike lanes on the main roads. But amazingly bikes are not allowed in the bus lanes, so the buses take the inside lane, then there is a shared lane which lets cars in at 30kmph but apparently bikes have preference. In cycling terms I was rather spoilt by our opening day in Madrid. It was narrow and difficult for cars so the speeds were low and apparently safe. This article is part of a complete tutorial about exploring Madrid on bike where you can read all the information you need to enjoy the city on a bicycle. You could tell he loved the history of Madrid and was very knowledgeable.
Train connects with Estacion Sants and bikes are welcome on board. The Cercanias are usually very low-riding trains too so getting Bike on or off is not a struggle as is often the case with the other trains. After several years of cycling in Spain I thought it would be useful for other fellow cyclists to get a heads-up on this topic. This may not be 100% correct or definitive, but is what I found based on 1st hand experience.
As to rail passes, estimate your Km usage and you can compare costs. I suspect for a couple of point-to-points that it may not be worth it. Another thing to consider is that you may wish to make excursions to some smaller towns which are not serviced by trains - they did not seem to be as prolific as France or Britain. I have used the regular train from Cordoba to Sevilla last summer, in 1997 took a bus from Sevilla to Lisbon, and this summer also took a short one hour day trip bus ride near Malaga. Because of the large number of bikers ending the Camino Pilgrimage in Santiago, RENFE sends bicycles from Santiago by truck . Many Dutch, English and Spanish Pilgrims fly from Santiago to home because the Spanish Airline will take a bike as baggage wrapped in plastic with the pedals off and the handlebars turned. We had our bike Fridays and they were in their suitcases for the train ride.
This year I learned about the possibility of the Grande Lineas, travelling with the sleeping train. Even in those trains it is possible, but with restrictions . In Spain, buses work better than trains carrying bicycles. You may take a train from Madrid but you need to book before a special seat. You'll need in some cases to wrap the bicycle with plastics. The one train trip worked out very close to the same perKm cost and my quick perusal of other fares indicated that to generally be the case.
This year I learned about the possibility of the Grande Lineas, travelling with the sleeping train. Even in those trains it is possible, but with restrictions . In Spain, buses work better than trains carrying bicycles. You may take a train from Madrid but you need to book before a special seat. You'll need in some cases to wrap the bicycle with plastics. The one train trip worked out very close to the same perKm cost and my quick perusal of other fares indicated that to generally be the case.
In NocheMAD you will also find a very extensive agenda with concerts, parties and theatre plays in Madrid. Check the websites for current distribution points. Chilean abstract artist Gastón Covarrubias runs a laundry in Calle Buenavista, 44, Lavapies. A unique experience where you can get your clothes washed while learning about abstract art and hear Gastón´s stories about his early life in Chile painting abstract art on rocks with the blood of fish. Several shows, incluidng marine mammals and birds of prey. 8-hectare garden located next to the Prado Museum and Retiro Park. Small but interesting museum with artefacts and models from the indigenous people of Asia , Africa and America.
The real reason is that these trains keep a tight schedule and you get your money back if a train is more than 5 minutes late. We were told the regional trains were more forgiving Sanferbike M30 about bikes. 4) Finally - regarding the train - the "regular" train means in contrast to Spain's equivalent to the TGV which runs from Madrid down to Sevilla - via Cordoba.
The real reason is that these trains keep a tight schedule and you get your money back if a train is more than 5 minutes late. We were told the regional trains were more forgiving Sanferbike M30 about bikes. 4) Finally - regarding the train - the "regular" train means in contrast to Spain's equivalent to the TGV which runs from Madrid down to Sevilla - via Cordoba.
We advise you to contact the train operator beforehand to confirm the current situation regarding taking bicycles on trains. It portends a future with more electric bikes sprinting down city streets, making it easier for more people to use cycling as a main or primary means of getting around their cities. 3) My third experience was last summer for a day trip near Malaga - I didn't bother asking the ticket person, just wheeled out to the platform, parked my bike against the wall and asked the driver at loading time. The trick seems to be - Pick an uncrowded bus - this may mean off-peak hours. Make the bike and/or your load tidy and reasonably clean.
Many of Madrid’s’s hotels welcome cyclists and will be able to offer storage rooms and bike racks – check before you book. Join Active Pass to get VeloNews magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Several Spanish pros have taken to social media to share the message among Spain’s active cycling community. “Stay at home and put the bike aside,” Mascias said. “Whatever possibility to minimize the impact on the resources of medical services that is not directed toward coronavirus is primordial. The cycling restrictions in Spain at first glance might seem illogical. Under the guise of social distancing, cycling would appear to be the ideal physical activity in a lockdown.
Roger’s experience was obvious as he handled every little challenge the group encountered. And it was hard to believe this was Guillermo’s first tour- he did such a great job attending to everyone’s needs and interacting with the group. Both guides greatly enriched our experience with their knowledge of the areas and the history, as well as sharing what their lives are like in Spain and their interest in our lives.
Many of Madrid’s’s hotels welcome cyclists and will be able to offer storage rooms and bike racks – check before you book. Join Active Pass to get VeloNews magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Several Spanish pros have taken to social media to share the message among Spain’s active cycling community. “Stay at home and put the bike aside,” Mascias said. “Whatever possibility to minimize the impact on the resources of medical services that is not directed toward coronavirus is primordial. The cycling restrictions in Spain at first glance might seem illogical. Under the guise of social distancing, cycling would appear to be the ideal physical activity in a lockdown.
Roger’s experience was obvious as he handled every little challenge the group encountered. And it was hard to believe this was Guillermo’s first tour- he did such a great job attending to everyone’s needs and interacting with the group. Both guides greatly enriched our experience with their knowledge of the areas and the history, as well as sharing what their lives are like in Spain and their interest in our lives.
Sunday morning, I went out for a walk to check out the situation. After a couple minutes strolling, keeping distance between myself and the few people I encountered, a police officer on a quad pulled up and politely but firmly told me to return home immediately. This came alongside the notice of bars, gyms, restaurants, cinemas, zoos and theaters closing effective Saturday, March 14 in the city of Madrid. Once schools were shut in Madrid on Wednesday, March 11, things became more real. Still, here in Alicante, many people were unfazed. Others were increasingly worried, and the hashtag #yomequedoencasa, meaning “I stay home,” began trending, a warning to others about the severity of the situation.
IMTBike and staff are very professional and the least that I can say is to recommend their services to those that wish to experience a great bike tour. The best way to see any city is by bicycle and this is especially true of Madrid. Their 3 hour Essential Madrid Tour, covering 10 kilometres, features the city’s monuments, parks, gardens, including the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the Puerta del Sol and the Cathedral of Almudena. Of course, you can always just hop on your own bike and check out some of Madrid’s numerous cycling routes. Spain’s vías verdes programme has converted thousands of miles of disused train tracks into stunning cycle routes. There are four green ways in the Community of Madrid , including the Gasolina Greenway, a short and easy ride to the north of Madrid that goes past the beautiful El Capricho park .
IMTBike and staff are very professional and the least that I can say is to recommend their services to those that wish to experience a great bike tour. The best way to see any city is by bicycle and this is especially true of Madrid. Their 3 hour Essential Madrid Tour, covering 10 kilometres, features the city’s monuments, parks, gardens, including the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the Puerta del Sol and the Cathedral of Almudena. Of course, you can always just hop on your own bike and check out some of Madrid’s numerous cycling routes. Spain’s vías verdes programme has converted thousands of miles of disused train tracks into stunning cycle routes. There are four green ways in the Community of Madrid , including the Gasolina Greenway, a short and easy ride to the north of Madrid that goes past the beautiful El Capricho park .
Often you need to reserve a bicycle space, and a small fee is charged (€2-10). One surprise for me was Enrique Otero’s early embrace of cyclotouring. Perhaps, as Rodrigo explained, it was because his grandfather was a cycling enthusiast, rather than a professional racer.
And if you don't want the hassle, the bikes rented at spot are OK - that's what I did. The hotel I stayed at had a bit odd mixture of characters - 30% of bikers, triathletes - you name it, and the rest were German pensioners with average age of approx. we just completed bike tour in Barcelona and these guys were great - they gave us three nice boxes for free. Please also note that the airport do not offer short term storage (we had two huge hockey bags + some clothes that we wanted only for our return trip back home). You will have to take the train to the central Malaga train station were they have storage boxes for around 3 euros/day for a maximum of 15 days.
There are some great bike routes that spread out from the center which might be more difficult without a traditional geared setup. A trail weaving through Casa de Campo, just outside the city center. These types of trails are only really accessible on mountain bike. Maybe you haven’t done much of anything in years, and your physical activity has dwindled down to drunken dancing and raising toasts. You can learn to mount a bike again in no time, I promise.
And if you don't want the hassle, the bikes rented at spot are OK - that's what I did. The hotel I stayed at had a bit odd mixture of characters - 30% of bikers, triathletes - you name it, and the rest were German pensioners with average age of approx. we just completed bike tour in Barcelona and these guys were great - they gave us three nice boxes for free. Please also note that the airport do not offer short term storage (we had two huge hockey bags + some clothes that we wanted only for our return trip back home). You will have to take the train to the central Malaga train station were they have storage boxes for around 3 euros/day for a maximum of 15 days.
There are some great bike routes that spread out from the center which might be more difficult without a traditional geared setup. A trail weaving through Casa de Campo, just outside the city center. These types of trails are only really accessible on mountain bike. Maybe you haven’t done much of anything in years, and your physical activity has dwindled down to drunken dancing and raising toasts. You can learn to mount a bike again in no time, I promise.
