Cycle Touring in Spain
A guidebook to eight 1-2 week routes covering Spain's Pyrenees and Picos de Europa in the North, the Sierras of Demanda, Gredos and Guadarama in central Spain, and the Sierras of Nevada and Grazalama and the Serrania de Ronda in the South. Varying in difficulty, with options to shorten or lengthen stages or go off-road.
Cycle Touring in Spain
8 detailed cycle tours
Author
Cover
Paperback - Laminated
Edition
First
ISBN_13
9781852843816
Availability
Reprinted
Price
£14.00
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Seasons
Year round, depending upon how much heat you can cope with!
Centres
Malaga, Ronda, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Madrid, Segovia, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Girona, Llanes
Difficulty
Difficulty varies according to the terrain - so some tours have difficult sections, some may be more challenging throughout. In most cases there are suggestions for alternative routes.
Must See
Discovering the ‘real’ Spain inland from the tourist centres. A world of villages, small towns and vibrant cities, wooded hills, narrow gorges, moorish palaces, Roman ruins, cave paintings, art, olives and oranges.
Updates to Cycle Touring in Spain (October 2006 revision)
(updates = August 2006)
Update 1
Route 2. Sierra de Grazalema and Torcal, Andalucía
Stage 1. Álora or Málaga Airport to Carratraca
It has been confirmed that bicycles are allowed on all the local trains between Málaga and Álora. The rule is one bicycle per platform. Unless told otherwise this may be interpreted as one bicycle per standing area adjacent to the doors. Bicycles are not allowed on trains that leave Álora before 09:30.
Bicycles are not allowed on any train between Málaga and Fuengirola. This includes the trains between the airport and Málaga.
Update 2
Route 5. Sierras de Gredos and Guadarrama
Stage 1. Madrid–Barajas airport to Navas del Rey
Immediately upon leaving the Casa del Campo at the Puerta de Rodajos there is a new roundabout. The route takes the first exit along the Avenida de Rodajos heading north-west. Alternatively, continue straight ahead heading west, and straight on again at the second roundabout. At the M502 roundabout turn left heading south. This is the first roundabout described after the petrol station.
Update 3
Route 6. Madrid to Bilbao via the Sierra de la Demanda
Stage 1. Madrid–Barajas airport to Cogolludo
As part of the upgrade of Barajas airport the road tunnel between Barajas and Paracuellos de Jarama has been completely rebuilt and cyclists are not permitted to use it. There are three options to overcome this blockage.
1 Take a taxi from the airport to Paracuellos and join the route there.
2 Take the Metro/underground from the airport to Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios or Atocha railway stations. From there take one of the frequent cercanias (local trains) to Azuqueca de Henares.
Bicycles are allowed on Metro trains on weekends and public holidays between the hours of 07:00 and 16:00. Use the carriage nearest the driver. Do not use escalators. The Metro is located on level one of terminal 2. Fridays do not count as part of the weekend.
Bicycles are allowed on the cercanias after 10:00 weekdays and at any time on weekends and public holidays.
From Azuqueca leave the station heading NE on the Paseo de la Estación, and bend left into Calle de la Aduna. At the end turn right onto Calle de San Miguel. At the end turn left heading north-west along the Avenida de la Constitución for 300m. Take the second exit from the plaza onto the Avenida del Agricultur heading east of north. After 200m turn left onto Carretera de Villanueva. Stay on this road, pass under the R2 and then through Villanueva de la Torre and onto Valdeavero. In Valdeavero turn right to Torrejón del Rey and rejoin the route.
3 Follow Route 5, ‘Sierras de Gredos y Guadarrama’, Stage 1: ‘Madrid–Barajas airport to Navas del Rey’, as far as Plaza de Cibeles. Turn left heading south along Paseo del Prado to Atocha station. From here take the train to Azuqueca and follow the directions above.
Appendix 4 Travelling to Spain, page 273
European bike Express telephone number now 01430 422111 and fax 01430 422877. Website URL unchanged
(updates = August 2006)
Update 1
Route 2. Sierra de Grazalema and Torcal, Andalucía
Stage 1. Álora or Málaga Airport to Carratraca
It has been confirmed that bicycles are allowed on all the local trains between Málaga and Álora. The rule is one bicycle per platform. Unless told otherwise this may be interpreted as one bicycle per standing area adjacent to the doors. Bicycles are not allowed on trains that leave Álora before 09:30.
Bicycles are not allowed on any train between Málaga and Fuengirola. This includes the trains between the airport and Málaga.
Update 2
Route 5. Sierras de Gredos and Guadarrama
Stage 1. Madrid–Barajas airport to Navas del Rey
Immediately upon leaving the Casa del Campo at the Puerta de Rodajos there is a new roundabout. The route takes the first exit along the Avenida de Rodajos heading north-west. Alternatively, continue straight ahead heading west, and straight on again at the second roundabout. At the M502 roundabout turn left heading south. This is the first roundabout described after the petrol station.
Update 3
Route 6. Madrid to Bilbao via the Sierra de la Demanda
Stage 1. Madrid–Barajas airport to Cogolludo
As part of the upgrade of Barajas airport the road tunnel between Barajas and Paracuellos de Jarama has been completely rebuilt and cyclists are not permitted to use it. There are three options to overcome this blockage.
1 Take a taxi from the airport to Paracuellos and join the route there.
2 Take the Metro/underground from the airport to Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios or Atocha railway stations. From there take one of the frequent cercanias (local trains) to Azuqueca de Henares.
Bicycles are allowed on Metro trains on weekends and public holidays between the hours of 07:00 and 16:00. Use the carriage nearest the driver. Do not use escalators. The Metro is located on level one of terminal 2. Fridays do not count as part of the weekend.
Bicycles are allowed on the cercanias after 10:00 weekdays and at any time on weekends and public holidays.
From Azuqueca leave the station heading NE on the Paseo de la Estación, and bend left into Calle de la Aduna. At the end turn right onto Calle de San Miguel. At the end turn left heading north-west along the Avenida de la Constitución for 300m. Take the second exit from the plaza onto the Avenida del Agricultur heading east of north. After 200m turn left onto Carretera de Villanueva. Stay on this road, pass under the R2 and then through Villanueva de la Torre and onto Valdeavero. In Valdeavero turn right to Torrejón del Rey and rejoin the route.
3 Follow Route 5, ‘Sierras de Gredos y Guadarrama’, Stage 1: ‘Madrid–Barajas airport to Navas del Rey’, as far as Plaza de Cibeles. Turn left heading south along Paseo del Prado to Atocha station. From here take the train to Azuqueca and follow the directions above.
Appendix 4 Travelling to Spain, page 273
European bike Express telephone number now 01430 422111 and fax 01430 422877. Website URL unchanged
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