KendallF

I'm in Madrid again, brought a bike, and I'm riding as much as possible. I thought I'd share some pictures from today's ride. I set out on a 60 mile loop that included two climbs from past Vueltas: La Morcuera and Puerto Navacerrada. Beautiful weather, great scenery, and somewhere around 6000+ feet of climbing: it was a good day.

As I rode into the town of Miraflores, which is perched on the slopes at the bottom of Morcuera, a road race peloton passed me heading downhill. I took pictures of the group with the support cars and motos following, but the camera fritzed these.

I did Morcuera about 2 minutes faster than the last time I was here, 39 minutes and change, and with less gearing: 53/39 with a 12/23. I needed a 25, though: the 10% grade sections made me stand and I suck at standing climbing. Note that the guy I rode it with last time did it in 29 minutes, just to keep me humble.

Top of the la Morcuera climb at the fountain with a couple of Spanish guys, Mario and Augusto, I met up with; they did most of the ride with me today. Looks like this kid is going to drop a rock on our heads...





The ride down from Morcuera was absolutely stupid fun. Very narrow road, switchbacks, 40+ mph with the wind bringing tears to my eyes. That's why I climb up these damn things.

The town of Rascafria is below; it's in a green bowl surrounded by mountains. It's the site of a very ancient monastery and a great place to stop for cerveza (not today, though..we had another 3000 feet to climb up the back side of Puerto Navacerrada).



Switchbacks and more switchbacks, 16k of em, to be precise.



The climb tops off and then the road winds its' way along the side of the mountain for 8k to Puerto Navacerrada proper.

It's in sight, across the dropoff! (Yes, I smudged the camera..)


Top of Navacerrada; you can see the flatlands of Segovia waaay in the background.



The descent down from Puerto Navacerrada is 10k of the fastest sustained speed I've ever done on a bicycle. I passed two cars going down at 50+, trying to keep up with Augusto, who knows the descent very well.

One more of my ride companions: they live near here in Becerril de la Sierra; that's the reservoir and we're atop the dam. Mario invited me to his house and we sat on the patio and drank a beer. Super nice guys.



After the beer, I rode on; it was a mercifully fairly flat stretch to Manzanares el Real and then to Soto del Real. Here's the castle at Manzanares:



Came back to Madrid and wolfed down a Doner Kebab from my favorite hole in the wall restaurant nearby. I have no idea how many calories I burned today but it was a ton.

rog

Awesome, man, great pictures. I haven't been to Madrid in quite some time, but I love it there. Are you working/living over there?

Dynamic

looks great
and looks hot

LanceFanBoy

Amazing, i love these posts. I wish that I could afford the time and money to make trips like these, but I really appreciate those of you that post them up to share.

celerystalksme

i'm jealous...

jerk...

Az B

Very nice. Makes me very jealous.

Az

rog

You will, when Google buys BikeWire. ;-)

Miguelangel

How was the traffic ??? this year I'm taking my bike to Spain ... but people drive like such nuts!!! I a bit scared to tell you the truth

KendallF

I'm over here for work a few times a year; usually bring a bike.

There was actually still snow beside the road at the top of Navacerrada. It was 24C down below, though.

Interesting username. I've stayed at the Hotel Miguel Angel a few times in downtown Madrid.

The traffic is nuts downtown, as you may know. I have been riding some in the city, but it's scary at times. Out in the countryside and the small villages, it's been fine. People have been better than in the US, at least my chunk of the redneck South.

jimbud

Great photos, I love the European bike trip threads.

ILUVUK

Me too!

Those pictures are great! Thanks for posting them.

ilvwhtgrls

i'm envious.

Pharmr

I will ride the next time I go to Spain for sure!!...my dad just flew in from Madrid today!!...and Deportivo beat Barcelona last night, so all is well!!!

Miguelangel

I have stayed in that hotel..but not anymore... my dollars cant buy enough euros!!! I will run home to Asturias as soon as I get there... Provinces are much cheaper than the capital!!! I will try to go up the lagos de Covadonga... but of course wont get too far up... i did it at 17 but now is just too many beers ( and years) later!!!

Thank you for your post It makes me think about going to la sierra to ck it up... l aways thought that area in el escorial must be awsome....

Standard

been living in madrid for the past 3 months and still haven't found a good bike shop, save for one just up the street from atocha, where did you go??

ps doner is incredible. if you can check out mundokebab on c/ gaztambide up the street from arguelles metro.

Super Guanche

Hey KendallF, great pictures. I know that part of the world well since my wife is from Madrid and I'm over there a few times a year. Last did the Navacerrada on December 26th. It was a little bit chillier that day!