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| At the top of Tibidabo |
Cycling is
not only to discover beautiful landscapes in the mountains or by the sea.
Cycling is also curiosity, culture, gastronomy, good climate, different sites,
people, cycle paths, including urban and slow cycling. A metropolis like Barcelona is a universal destination,
and an especially appealing city to be discovered on a bicycle.
Barcelona is one of the most powerful brands
that exist in the world of tourism today. It is no coincidence that the number
of visitors grows every year, even with the crisis. 7.5 million tourists in
2012, is it not impressive? Number of hotels is increasing, more than 350
establishments, 65,000 hotel beds. Figures that do not stop...
However,
the message we receive from Barcelona
by bike is contradictory. In one hand it is a bike friendly city, miles and
miles of bike path, a system of bicycle public transportation as the so named “Bicing”,
a mostly plain city by the sea... On the other hand, it is an urban conglomeration
that scares anyone. One and a half million inhabitants, nearly four counting
the metropolitan area, many cars, traffic, risks...
Is there
something more appealing that wandering in bicycle in Barcelona Maritime front
from Sant Adrià del Besòs until Hotel Vela, passing through the area of the
Forum, the Vila Olimpica area and Barceloneta? Few things are comparable to
this experience, so there are thousands of people who every day make that
journey on cheap bikes, urban bikes, electric bikes, mountain bikes, Dutch
bikes, and even in ours, in road bikes. The purpose is to enjoy the breeze
marina, the views, the smell of the sea, the environment of the beach that is
breathed in that area throughout the year. Yes, definitely Barcelona is also a high level destination
for cyclists. Maybe not in the sense that we are used to, winter cycling stages
in warm areas by the sea, to train hard, but in a broader, more touristic, more
global sense.
On the
other hand Barcelona
is a city closely tied to the professional cycling world for many years. We do
not need to mention the most known Barcelona
event, the 1992 Olympics, whose cyclist road race was not held in Barcelona but in
Vilafranca del Penedès, with the victory of the unfortunated Fabio Casartelli.
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| Esprint del mundial 1973 |
No need to
talk about the Olympics, but need to talk about the World Cycling Championship that
took place in Barcelona years 1973 (such a podium: Gimondi, Maertens, Ocaña,
with Merckx in fourth) and 1984 (with Claude Criquielion victory, in another
grueling race ahead of Corti and Bauer). Both in Montjuic mountain, where it was
held also the Escalada a Montjuïc, a
kind of criterium that closed the cycling season between 1965 and 2007. A nice race in the
steep slopes of Montjuic
Castle, with the fans
supporting their cyclist idols very closely. Eddy Merckx used to win also
there…
Barcelona was also end of stage at the Tour
de France in 2009, how to forget that? The rain marred the day, but the citizen
participation was again rated ten. The stage came from Girona and the finish
was at the Olimpic Stadium. Victory was for Hushovd ahead of spaniards Freire
and Rojas. Reminiscent of the passage of the Tour in Barcelona is the current ciclosportive
Barcelona-Andorra, consolidated year after year, on the same route that Tour
followed in 2009, and organized by ASO.
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| Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys |
Montjuïc is
a mountain married to the sports: Olympic Stadium, Palau Sant Jordi, Olympic
Museum, Picornell swimming pools (that ones with impressive views of the
jumpers and Barcelona
in the background). And beyond sports Montjuic has so many things to see, the
MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya), the Palau Nacional o Poble Espanyol.
Hundred per cent touristic.
I do not
refuse to talk about cycling in Barcelona
without mentioning the most remarkable mountain in the city: the Tibidabo.
Anyone who has started to ride on a road bike and lives in Barcelona, has Tibidabo as his initial
destination and the place to test himself. It is the mountain visible from all
over the city, with its church illuminated at night, offering an incredible and
beautiful show. The amusement park next to the summital church closes a perfect
circle that brings children to the mountain from the early childhood.
What about
climate in Barcelona?
In this wonderful city cycling can be practiced all year long. Even in the most
raw winter days, Barcelona cyclists lead north via
NII by the coast direction Costa Brava, and
lead south direction Sitges, searching the shores of Garraf. Weekends of all
the year, the main roads going out of the city are packed with cyclists.
We can’t do
a reference to the touristic Barcelona
not mentioning cuisine. The quality and variety of the restoration in Barcelona is beyond
doubt, and is itself a powerful claim. And for us, bike lovers, it is an ideal complement.
We can find the best Mediterranean cuisine here.
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| Bikelane in river Besos |
The
attractions of Barcelona
are so many... One more. Another luxury that has this city is the river Besòs, once
degraded and evil-smelling area, has become a fantastic River Park
which is home to large areas of great lawn with a paved bike path of more than 5 km, which reaches Montcada.
There is a lot of people walking, skating, running, biking... A luxury huge
area where sport is the main protagonist. In addition, you can practice safely because
motor vehicles do not have access.
How is it
possible? So far talking about Barcelona as a touristic destination and still
have not spoken the Sagrada Familia, the Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Parque Güell,
the Cathedral, Borne, La Boqueria, the Liceu, Las Ramblas, Camp Nou... The list
cannot be closed. All these attractions can be discovered much better upon a bike,
rather tan driving (impossible!), walking or by public transport.
With all
the pieces that we have named so far, and many more it is possible to compose a fantastic puzzle, and
assemble a route that allows to give a full review to the city in about 70 kilometers. In
those 70 km
there is space more than enough for tourism but also for the physical
requirement, Montjuïc ramps asks the cyclist for his best, and the ascent to
the Tibidabo, although not too hard, is also very demanding. Enjoy magnificent
aerial views once above is the reward to the suffering.
But if you
go to Barcelona,
it would be a pity not visiting some interesting places nearby (from de cyclist
point of view). First one is Montserrat, the
holy mountain for Catalan people, one of the greatest touristic attractions of the
country. And also a real challenge to climb up there. Did you know that
climbing there to rengrace the black Virgin of Montserrat (La Moreneta) is a
classic among the catalan people? Do you want to pray for anyone or anything? Then
you are in the right place. The views of the mountain are spectacular!
Surrounding the mountain you can see different shapes, the mountain changes. An
incredible experience.
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| Cycling in Penedes |
Another interesting area is Penedes. 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
factories of wine, the well known catalan cava, and remembering the old saga
Falcon Crest... All in all, just minutes way from Barcelona!
Last but
not least. Montseny mountain is really close to Barcelona. You can reach it from the big city
in hardly 70 km.
The highest elevation of Montseny is Turo de l'Home, at 1700 meters. One of the
steepest roads in whole Catalonia,
a real challenge for strong cyclists. But no need to climb up to the top. You
can reach Coll Formic or Santa Fe del Montseny. Solitaire roads climbing the
mountain in which you can enjoy incredible landscapes, specially in autumn.
Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that awaits
you all year long to ride the bike and also to learn so many interesting
things. A city that is worth visiting. No doubt!
