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