Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Montjuic, the Olimpic mountain in Barcelona

Palau de Sant Jordi
Marathon door Olimpic Stadium
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Montefusco Cycling
Estadi Olimpic
(Pictures Sergi Ros de Mora, www.rosdemora.com)
Montjuic is a very special place for people living in Barcelona and passionate of sports.
Obviously the main thing to visit is the Olimpic Stadium. We will never forget the Olimpics in 1992. Already part of the best history of this city, Barcelona. Note also that beside the Stadium it is the Olimpic Museum Joan Antoni Samaranch. It is worth a visit.

Need to know that the Olimpic Stadium was built in 1927, inicially for the World Exhibition in 1929. With not much use, the stadium was deteriorated in the 70's and 80's till the Olimpics were given to Barcelona and the Stadium was rebuilt. Close up was built Palau de Sant Jordi, a nice multisport center (see picture) where have been played a Davis Cup final, a Final Four Basketball finals, and many many concerts...
But for cycling fans and passionates, Montjuic is also a very special mountain.

The Cycling World Championship took place there in 1973 and 1984. Both were great Championships. In 1973 the winner was Felice Gimondi for Italy, in front of his 3 mates in an imperial breakway: Luis Ocaña, Freddy Maertens and Eddy Merckx. Incredible race. In 1984 the winner was Claude Criquielion for Belgium, ahead of italian Claudio Corti and canadian Steve Bauer.

Being so close of the city center, in its steep slopes took place the Escalada a Montjuic, from 1965 till 2008, always at the end of the european season, a kind of farewell season race. A celebration of cycling with many people supporting the riders. Since then, the economic problems for the organisation made the race disappear. Recordman of the race stays Eddy Merckx, with six victories.

Other sports are present in the Olimpic Mountain: Swimming Pools, Rugby fields, Climbing, etc. A mountain married to sports.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Cycling in Penedes, riding in Falcon Crest!

cycling among vineyards
Cycling among vineyards
Cycling Penedes
Cypress and vineyards
Cycling Penedes
Penedes is Paradise

kilometers and kilometers of vineyards
Running against the riders
(All pictures courtesy Sergi Ros de Mora)
The comparison with the italian Tuscany is too obvious. The problem would be to know which one is the nicest area to ride your bike. Vineyards, solitaire roads, mild weather, soft climbs... Is there a paradise for cyclists? It should be not far from there. Visiting the wineries, the well known catalan cava, and remembering the old saga Falcon Crest... All in all, just minutes way from Barcelona!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Things to do in Barcelona

Cycling Sagrada Familia
Up in Tibidabo mountain, tough!

Still in Tibidabo, nice church!
In FC Barcelona Stadium!!
Sure you can ride in Barcelona, in a lot of fantastic places. A Tour including climbs as Coll de Parpers, Forat del Vent, or Tibidabo, and afterwards a touristic vision of the city: Sagrada Familia, FCB Stadium. Lots of things to do in Barcelona with your Bike. The american customer of Veloce Bike Rental and Montefusco Cycling will tell you... Rent your top Quality bike in Barcelona, in Montefusco Cycling.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Girona, hometown for english-speaking cyclists in Europe

"Over the past 15 years, Girona has become a seasonal home to roughly 40 professional cyclists from around the world. Attracted by the climate, proximity to the ocean, mountains, airports and quiet roads, Girona has progressively become an epicenter for English-speaking cyclists in Europe."
Read the complete article in Bicycle Magazine Canada:
http://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/ridesevents/international-bike-travel/riding-in-the-pros-backyards/