La Molina ski station, again in the Volta a Catalunya 2017 route

Purito Rodríguez, winner in 2014 (Picture by Sergi Ros de Mora)

La Molina, one of the most famous Ski stations in Catalonia, will be in 2017 (for the 4^th time in a row) stage ending in Volta a Catalunya Pro race. It will be on 2017 March 22^nd.

So far, La Molina was included in 2014(winner Purito Rodríguez), 2015 (winner Tejay Van Garderen) and 2016(winner Daniel Martin).

Stage arriving to La Molina in 2014 edition

Curiously, just in 2014 edition, the winner at La Molina (Purito Rodríguez) was also the winner of final GC. In 2015, Tejay Van Garderen was not even in top ten, and winner was australian Richie Porte. In 2016, Dan Martin was 3rd, after Nairo Quintana (winner) and Alberto Contador. Anyway, any cyclist fighting for GC shouldn't be far from the lead in 2017...

Stage arriving to La Molina in 2015 edition

Stage arriving to La Molina in 2016 edition

As you can see in joined profiles, usually stage finishing at La Molina is the queen stage of Volta a Catalunya. Being located in Barcelona province, between Barcelona or Girona area and La Cerdanya region. It is not specially steep (see profile below), but it usually comes after several first category climbs, as Collada de Toses, La Creueta or Coll de Coubet.

Profile of La Molina from Das (Cerdanya)

Searching for the sun: Catalonia spring training camps

Training camps next spring in Catalonia

If you are searching for some training camp next spring, do not hesitate and join our training camps in Tarragona area: unbeatable weather, solitaire roads, good workout!
Price is just 512,00 euros for 7 nights lodging and 5 cycling stages.
Price in double room sharing.
Supplement individual room 100 Euros.
Non cyclist 392,00 euros

Available Dates 2017:

February 11th to February 18th
Abril 22nd to April 29th
April 29th May 6th
May 6th to May 13th
May 13th to May 20th Limited places, book now!

Road bike rental for triathlons in Barcelona

One of our customers happy at the end of the race!

If you are going to participate in a duathlon or a triathlon in Barcelona, Calella or nearby, and you come from abroad, no need to send your bike by plane, avoid costs and troubles by renting your carbon road bike in Montefusco Cycling.

We will deliver a carbon road bike at your hotel and you won't have to trouble of anythinig except the competition. We can provide the bikes with the pedal system you need and if it is a flat stage we can also put some armrest to increase your aerodynamics. The best prices in road bike rental in Barcelona.

The options in Barcelona and Catalunya to race are many. You need to select one of the many options you will find.

Here we mention the most popular triathlons in Catalonia for 2017:
Ironman Barcelona 70.3  Calella 21/5/2017
Ironman Barcelona Calella 1/10/2017
Barcelona Triathlon, Barcelona October 2017

Road cycling in Montserrat, bike rental and guided tours

Cycling in Montserrat above sea of clouds

Montserrat is a very special mountain for catalan people. Center of catalan spirituality, pilgrimage destination to rengrace the small black virgin which is Verge de Montserrat. It is well known as the site of the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary.

More than that, Montserrat mountain is a natural phenomena, with its rounded forms of calcaric stone, desstination of rock climbers, and also cycling climbers. "Montserrat" literally means "saw (serrated, like the common handsaw) mountain" in Catalan. It describes its peculiar aspect with multitude of rock formations which are visible from a great distance. The mountain is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. Montserrat is Spain's first National Park.

Our tours lead to the roads with best views over Montserrat

In our Montserrat tours we make a loop about 80 km long with over 1900 meters elevation. In addition, you get the best views of Montserrat. 3 long and steep ascents to complete a demanding tour around the mountain.

Some of our customers reviews about the trip we do around Montserrat:
"I've often dreamed of riding Europe's famous roads and experiencing the views and climbs made famous by the grand tours. With Montefusco cycling, my guide Claudio made that happen and took care of every detail along the way. I found myself once again in Barcelona with time to spare and having walked the majority of the city, I thought it would be worthwhile to try to head out of town and see the surrounding area but didn't want to try this on my own, not knowing the roads or how to get out there. Montefusco cycling solved all those problems with the Montserrat Mountain ride I chose. Claudio, who is knowledgeable, friendly and full of advice and history of the area, picked me up at my hotel and drove us out to the base of the holy mountain of Montserrat 40 minutes outside Barcelona proper. My Orbea bike was fit perfectly with pedal clips to match my shoes and he brought a helmet and extra water. We began the long ascent immediately and as we climbed he explained the significance of the mountain and the area. The ride, while one of my most difficult to date, was more than I had hoped with unparalleled views, epic descents through beautiful towns and of course tons of challenging climbing. Once we reached the monastery, I had felt like I had indeed gone through something spiritual. A consummate professional and a great riding companion, Claudio made that afternoon one of the highlights of my European trip. If I return to Barcelona I have every intention of scheduling another ride. This is well worth the money and highly recommended!"
 

Tiny cyclists, huge mountains

“You will not make any mistake if you decide to rent bicycle and take guided tour with Claudio. Bicycle was really good carbon fiber Orbea and what was EXCEPTIONAL is the set up of bicycle. Before my trip I sent e-mail to Claudio with the most important dimensions and he and his mechanic made it exactly same as mine !!!! Claudio speaks very good English and you will not have any problems communicating with him. I wanted to go by myself to climb famous Montserrat Mountain since there is ton or rides on Strava, Garmin Connect etc. but decide to hire Claudio as a guide. Again FULL success !!!! For really small price he picked me and my family (no cost for taking them with us) , we drove to base of the mountain and while we were cycling my wife and son were sightseeing Monastery and surroundings. Since he is in terrific shape he can go any pace you want ( I am racer and I thought I can drop him but I had to settle in wheel sucking mode :-) plus the route that he chose was unbelievable , with secret picturesque climb that nobody was using. I strongly suggest that you pick Montserrat tour if you like climbing (1500 m of climbing on 60 km ride). He also suggested what HC climb to tackle in Pyrenees , I spent a weekend in Andorra, and also sent me GPX files for most of rides that I rode. THANKS Claudio !!!!!!!! “

Isn't it amazing?

バルセロナを満喫するなら彼とのライドは欠かせません！

仕事で会議に訪れた後、残りの休日をロードバイクツアーに参加しました。 プライベートで申し込みましたが、ホテルまでのピックアップもしてくれますし、カーボン製のレンラルバイクは貸して下さいますし、何よりコースのピックアップ、ツアーガイドとしてもClaudioさんはとてもフレンドリーとにかく最高です！ 体力レベルに合わせてガイドして下さいますから初心者の方でも問題ありません。 お時間、費用が許すなら是非ライド後のランチもお願いしたいですね！

Enjoying cava and cycling in Catalonia

Probably when you think about vineyards and wineries you also think about cycling. Wine and cycling match. If you already know Tuscany, Napa valley, and maybe Provence in France you already know what we are talking about. It's time to discover Penedés.

Amazing cycling in Penedes, and so close to Barcelona!
Picture by Sergi Ros de Mora

Montefusco Cycling is helping you to know this amazing region of Penedés, so close to Barcelona. Just one hour away from a big city like Barcelona you will discover tiny roads just used for winemakers, small villages where time stopped many years ago, but also the most modern wineries with some of the best wines all over the world. What about our catalan Cava, the sparkling wine similar to the french champagne.

Quiet roads, scarce traffic, perfect asphalt, this is Penedes
Picture by Sergi Ros de Mora

We offer guided tours in Penedés so you can enjoy the area without any worry. We collect you at your hotel in Barcelona, transport to Penedes and do a private guided route about 75-80 km long, as demanding as you choose, at your own pace. After that we will have lunch at a typicall catalan restaurant and finally you will visit one of the best wineries in all of the region, including wine tasting.  Then transportation back to Barcelona after a whole day experience in Penedés.

Will you join us?

The best bikeshops in Barcelona

(updated 2021/11/28)

If you visit Barcelona and you are into Cycling this might interest you.

You will probably wonder ¿which are the best bikeshops in Barcelona? This is an opinion, everyone may have diffentent choices. I don't mean the best mechanic or the most accurated recommendations. I mean the kind of bike stuff you like to watch and buy when you are abroad.

Let me suggest my favourites:
- Mamooth, Roger de Lluria 115, website https://www.mammothbikes.com/
Probably the largest bikeshop in Barcelona. It was opened in 1948 (in a different location, though), so they know a bit about bicycles! Former named as Tomas Domingo.
 

- Probike Viladomat 310, website http://www.probike.com/
Also very large bikeshop in the city center.

- Orbea Campus Barcelona, Consell de Cent 321, website http://www.orbeacampusbcn.com/
Orbea is one of the leading bicycle manufacturers in Spain (together with BH, both are basque brands) and has a very centric, recently opened, concept store in Barcelona. Open from monday to saturday 10,00-20,30.

Orbea Campus BCN concept store

And then, once you have the cool clothing you were looking for, you are ready to rent a carbon bike and go out for a ride. Cycling in Barcelona is just amazing!

Pavello Miquel Poblet in Montcada, a place to visit for cycling fans!

Some of the best maillots Poblet won

There are some very special places which are worth to visit when you are into cycling.

His most known picture, by Paco Alguersuari

No doubt one of them close to Barcelona is dedicated to the great catalan champion Miquel Poblet. This is Pavelló Municipal Miquel Poblet, in Montcada i Reixach.
Miquel Poblet's palmares is filled with victories. To describe him, just need to be said that he won Milan San Remo twice, and at the same time, he was capable of being first at the top of Col du Tourmalet in 1945 Tour de France, ahead of climbers as Charly Gaul or Louison Bobet. Isn't it amazing? Such a great cyclist. A precursor of modern cycling.

The small showcase at the entrance of the pavilion shows just a few of the maillots he won during his carrier. Impressive achievements: Tour de France's maillot jaune, Giro d'Italia's  maglia rosa , Spanish champion maillot, Volta a Catalunya leader jersey...  Some of his old bikes can be seen there as well.

Miquel Poblet was born in Montcada i Reixac in 1928, and died in 2013 at the age of 85. His career lasted from 1944 to 1962, during which he had over 200 professional victories. He was the first Spanish rider to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, and in 1956 he became the first of only three riders to win stages in the three Grand Tours in the same year

Pavello Miquel Poblet in Montcada i reixach

He won the Milan–San Remo classic race on two occasions and took 26 stage wins in the three Grand Tours.

Let this post remind one of the best catalan cyclists ever.

Cycling to Tibidabo church in Barcelona

Basilica del Sagrat Cor del Tibidabo

When you visit Barcelona and you are into cycling, there is one place you want to get with your bike. This is Basilica del Sagrat Cor del Tibidabo church, at the top of the highest mountain surrounding Barcelona. You can see it from every point of the city, and specially at night, as it is illuminated.
Iconic destination for all Barcelona inhabitants, very well known for every local, and specially for children, as at the top of the mountain, just beside the church there is an amusement park. Surprising to learn that amusement park is much older than the very church! The amusement park was open early XX century, but the church was just finished in 1961.

Steep slopes with magnificient views

There are some different approaches to the summit of Tibidabo.
We consider 4 different sides:

La Rabassada

- La Rabasada. One of the most popular climbs from Barcelona. Great views.
- Climb from Via Augusta (Barcelona). This side goes through Vallvidrera (steep part when crossing the village), and can be finished with a very steep part just getting to the parking area. Volta a Catalunya professional race had a stage finish right there.
- Climb from Sant Cugat. About 7 km long, it is not a very steep climb. Really worth. This side connects with La Rabasada side about 1 km to the summit.
- Molins de Rei side. Santa Creu d'Olorda. Fantastic solitaire road in the middle of the forest. This road gets to Vallvidrera, and then shares the road with Via Augusta side.

Amazing views from the top of the mountain

Once at the top you have to enjoy the views over the city. Magnificient viewpoint at 500 mts above sea level. If you climb some stairs towards the church you get a higher viewpoint, but if you get the elevator (3 euros cost) you can get the foot of summital Jesus statue, amazing, impressive. No words.

The picture at the top of the climb: a must!

If you visit Barcelona and you are into Cycling, you have to climb to Tibidabo. No doubt!

2016 catalan professional riders

Joaquim Purito Rodríguez

Joaquim Purito Rodríguez, born in Partes del Valles, is the most famous catalan rider nowadays, and one of the best riders ever. Winner of Giro de Lombardia years 2012 and 2013, winner of Fleche Wallone is 2012, Rodríguez has been able to be at the podium of all 3 Gran Tours: Vuelta a España (2nd in 2015, 3rd in 2012), Tour de France (3rd in 2013) and Giro d'Italia (2nd in 2012).
But he is not the only catalan professional rider. Purito, riding for russian Katusha team, has Alberto Losada as one of his "domestiques". Losada was born in Sant Just Desvern in 1982 and became professional in 2007.

Marc Soler, winner of Tour de l'Avenir 2015

The new generation of catalan cyclists is lead by Marc Soler (winner of 2015 Tour de l'Avenir), a rider born in 1993 in Vilanova i La Geltrú (Barcelona). Soler is riding this year for Movistar team, the only spanish professional team at the moment. There is another catalan rider in Movistar, which is Antonio Pedrero, born in Terrassa in 1991.

David de la Cruz

Another catalan professional racer is David de la Cruz, riding for Ettix-Quickstep. David de la Cruz was born in Sabadell in year 1989 and has been a professional cyclist since 2010. Eduard Prades, born in Alcanar (Tarragona) in 1987 is also riding for Caja Rural Team.  His main victory was Coppa Sabatini last year 2015.

In addition to these 6 cyclists, there are quite a few professional cyclists living in Girona (such as Daniel Martin), but they were not born in Catalonia...

Private tours and concierge services for traveling cyclists in Barcelona

We will take you to the best roads

Montefusco Cycling makes pedaling around Barcelona City a Snap.

All you have to do is book the trip—the concierge service will have a bike ready and even choose ideal routes for your level.

Amazing landscapes in our private tours

We offer tours in Barcelona city but also in surrounding areas, such as Castelldefels, Sitges, Penedes, Calella, Costa Brava, Girona. You don't have to worry about anything else but pedalling and enjoying the best roads. We will provide with a perfect carbon bike, and our guide will pick you up at your hotel, and dropp you off after the ride.

You can also book a lunch after ride, so you can enjoy local food when you need it most!



See our catalogue of more successfull rides here:
http://www.montefuscocycling.com/#!day-trips/cz6u
You can book online so you don't have to waste time sending emails and waiting for our (fast) answer.

Barcelona Tourmalet, your challenge

Col du Tourmalet, the most famous climb in cycling world

Next July, from 16th to 22nd you have the chance to reach the most famous climb in cycling history: Col du Tourmalet.

One of the amazing unkown climbs in the route...

This is a very special trip. An experience you will enjoy just once in your life.
You will be able to join one of the most touristic cities in the world, Barcelona, with the most known cycling climb all over the world. Cycling history has been written in Col de Tourmalet, and also in other cols you will climb in this adventure.

We will try you to enjoy this trip. Do not worry about any other thing but cycling.
Our maps will lead you to the nicest roads, and your goal is reaching Col du Tourmalet 7 days and 13 cols after we began in Barcelona. Our van will transport your luggage, and you will have it at the end of every stage.

Port de la Bonaigua

Dates for next summer 2016 are:
Arrival to Barcelona: friday July 15th
First stage Barcelona-Viladrau saturday July 16th
Last stage Bagneres de Luchon-Tourmalet friday July 22nd
Transportation back to Barcelona: saturday July 23rd

This tour is already confirmed, as we have minimum registrations garanteed. Few places still available.

Do not miss this opportunity and join us!

If you are a cycling club or some friends wanting to do the same your in other dates, just let us know. We can even customize stages. Do noy hesitate, and join us in this adventure.

More information, click here: http://barcelonatourmalet.blogspot.com.es/

Ездить на велосипеде в Барселоне

вид на Барселону

"Сразу скажу, что это было самое запоминающееся впечатление от моей поездки в Барселону. Покататься на велосипеде в Барселоне я планировал заранее. Поиск быстро отправил меня на сайт montefuscocycling.com Там меня заинтересовал недорогой прокат шоссейного велосипеда. Я написал письмо и очень быстро получил ответ от Клаудио, который предложил вариант проката с сопровождением гида по одному из маршрутов, описанных на сайте. Я внимательно посмотрел описания маршрутов и выбрал вариант 80 км по холмам вокруг Барселоны.
Все детали мы обговорили по почте и в назначенный день и время Клаудио ждал меня около моих апартаментов на машине. Я жил в центре города, старт маршрута был на пляже Барселонета. По дороге я более близко познакомился с Клаудио. Он оказался очень приятным и приветливым собеседником с отличным знанием английского.
На старте произошла небольшая заминка из-за того что я заказал педали Look Keo, а шипы на моих туфлях оказались Look Delta. Но у Клаудио был запасной комплект нужных шипов и мы быстро их переставили. В остальном карбоновый BH Prisma 2015 был идеально подогнан под меня согласно моим пожеланиям, которые я высылал заранее по почте. Клаудио кратко описал наш маршрут и дал советы по поведению на дороге и мы тронулись. Маршрут пролегал по живописнейшим местам окрестности Барселоны, был выходной день и по пути встречались сотни байкеров на шоссейниках и МТБ. Клаудио оказался очень опытным лидером, ехать у него на колесе было одно удовольствие. Мы останавливались в некоторых красивейших местах чтобы посмотреть панорамы и сделать фото. С вершин холмов открывались невероятные виды на Барселону и побережье. В итоге было покорено 4 горы, общий подъем составил около 2100 метров, проехали 81 км, чистое время 3 часа 40 минут. Возвращаясь к точке финиша по кругу мы пересекли всю Барселону. Тут особо почувствовался опыт и знания Клаудио, он ехал быстро и уверенно, поэтому проспект Диагональ мы буквально пролетели.
В общем я решил, что при каждом посещении Барселоны буду ездить на покатушки с Клаудио, благо маршрутов для шоссейника и МТБ у него предостаточно."

Road Cycling in Girona

Girona Cathedral backwards

Girona has become a very popular destination for road cyclists all over the world.

Good weather all year long (specially mild winters), perfectly surfaced roads, polite and respectful drivers around, all that makes Girona a great cycling destination. Furthermore, being a small sized town it is easy and fast to get out and begin cycling. Last, but not least, pro cyclists can live in Girona without the hassle of being recognized for fans every now and then...

No wonder Girona is the living place of many professional cyclists. Since Lance Armstrong chose Girona in th 90's, many american cyclists have lived (and still do!) here. George Hincapie, David Millar, Christian Vandevelde and many others chose Girona as their living place.

Now many professional cyclists still do. Daniel Martin, Ryder Hesjedal, some Orica Green Edge cyclists, etc.

Some details at "La Fabrica"

After a long day in the saddle, we all love to stop for a coffee in a Cyclist Coffe Shop. Is there a better place to stop that "La Fabrica"? The shop opened by Christian Meier (the Orica Green Edge pro rider) & Amber Meier,

Climb to Els Angels is just beside town!

Destinations from Girona town are so many and so nice. The closest climb is Santuari dels Angels, a serious climb just beside the city!
Next to Girona you can get 2 of the nicest roads all over Catalonia:
- Road from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guixols: 25 km of an amazing road beside the sea, watching the cliffs and hidden beaches...
- Road from Amer to Sant Hilari Sacalm: Unforgettable road, no traffic at all, mild climb to Sant Hilari Sacalm, a long and winding road...

Bridges over river Onyar, crossing Girona