He Cycle tourism in Spain Cycling has become one of the coolest physical activities this summer! It is an activity that perfectly combines the best of recreational cycling with adventure tourism. That's right, cycling allows you to travel long distances on a bicycle in a non-competitive way, to freely enjoy the route, exercise, get to know new places and have an incredible time on solo rides, or with friends and family.
Normally, this type of travel in bicycle We do them for the mere pleasure of riding and getting to know each other, leaving competitiveness aside. But the truth is that many cycling enthusiasts choose to set personal and specific goals in terms of distance and time. That is why cycling trips cycle tourism They can last for days, weeks, months and even years if we are willing to do it. And it is that, a person who is in reasonable physical shape, who is able to carry luggage and, in addition, has an ideal bike, the necessary equipment to carry out this activity and good cycling glasses, can perfectly do cycle tourism Travelling up to 150km a day depending on the type of terrain, and even managing to cover considerable distances in just a few days. All this while enjoying an incredible sightseeing trip at the same time!
Are you a lover of tourism and cycling? Then grab your good ones! cycling glasses and travel with us some of the best routes in cycle tourism in Spain!
THE 7 BEST ROUTES FOR CYCLING TOURISM IN SPAIN
One of the main questions we ask ourselves when we decide to take a trip cycle tourism And where do I go? Here we recommend some of the best routes you can follow if you want to do Cycle tourism in Spain to explore during your next vacation. Discover iconic villages and unbeatable mountain and coastal views with us!
THE ROAD TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Full of history, the Camino de Santiago is undoubtedly one of the best and most popular destinations in Spain for cycle tourism, with this Galician city as the end of its route. It is one of the most visited routes by pilgrims from all over the world, and can be done in different ways and by different routes, as it has a total of 765 kilometres of trails and routes ready to be cycled. The most professional cyclists agree that the Camino Francés is perhaps the most complete of all, divided into twelve stages that run through several autonomous cities including Galicia, Castilla y León, Navarra and La Rioja.
This area in the northwest of Spain has various levels of difficulty, from the most complex to the most basic. You will need a road or mountain bike depending on the route you want to choose. However, it is a route that you can do with almost any type of bike, you will not need a very special one. It is best to travel it during the autumn, between the months of September and October, or in the spring, between the months of April and May.
THE PYRENEES
Lovers of road cycling and mountain biking will surely find their ideal place to travel through the Pyrenees, a benchmark on an international scale in the world of cycling, as it is home to the legendary Andorran mountain passes and the Tour de France mountain passes, as well as the challenging Trans-Pyrenees route, although we should not confuse it with the GR11 (the Pyrenean Trail) which would correspond to the same adventure, but designed for hikers.
You can start the Pyrenees route from Llançà (Girona in Catalonia), on the Mediterranean, to Hondarribia (Guipúzcoa in the Basque Country), on the Cantabrian Sea, or vice versa, as you can do it from both directions. The route for bicycles goes below the GR11, and will take you at least sixteen days, so you should take into account accommodation in the surrounding areas or bring camping supplies including a sleeping bag and tent.
This is a challenging cycling area in the north of Spain that requires experience, but also a great spirit of adventure. If you are fit, this coast-to-coast crossing of the Pyrenees offers one of the most impressive routes with a total of 900 km and thousands of metres of elevation gain that will test your skills, while you enjoy to the fullest as you cross the mountain range, forests, hills, valleys and meadows, which are undoubtedly appreciated more and better when you travel by bike.
To do this you will need a road or mountain bike depending on the route you choose, and the difficulty varies at various levels. It is best to do it between the months of April and June, although it can be done during any season of the year if you are able to withstand both high and low temperatures. However, it is best not to do it if a heat wave or snowfall with a risk of blizzard is approaching.
THE LEVANTE WAY
Another incredible route to do by bike is El Camino de Levante, which goes through Toro towards Zamora, where the Vía de la Plata joins. It runs through the Iberian Peninsula from east to northeast, and connects Levante, Castilla la Mancha and Galicia. Specifically, it passes through several historic roads: leaving Valencia, it runs along part of the Via Augusta that runs along the entire Mediterranean. In Castilla la Mancha, it crosses some of the routes of Don Quixote. Where it joins Ávila with Toro, it runs along the road to the burial place of Isabel la Católica. And from Zamora to Santiago, it recovers another Camino de Santiago, which in this case is the Camino Mozárabe. The route is all on asphalt and has sections on secondary roads, bike lanes, national, regional and provincial roads. This route, located in the southeast of Spain, is recommended mainly in spring and also in autumn. It has sections for all levels, and it is recommended to use touring, mountain or gravel bikes.
MAJORCA
The Balearic Island of Mallorca, off the eastern coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea, is without a doubt one of the most sought-after destinations for cyclists from Spain and the world. It offers everything from ideal cycle touring routes to routes designed as training for cycling competitions such as the Tour de France. It also offers a camping area for cyclists! It is without a doubt one of the most incredible spots for practicing this adventure sport. Its route is suitable for all levels, and it is mostly recommended to visit for this purpose during the months of February to May. For this area on the eastern coast of Spain, it is best to bring a road bike.
SILVER WAY
Through the west of the Peninsula, the Vía de la Plata has its well-signposted start in Seville and reaches Santiago de Compostela. In total, there are almost 500 km of paths, paved roads, trails and tracks that offer a great experience for the cycle tourist. In addition, those who decide to travel this route have the opportunity to ride almost all of its mileage on dirt tracks away from traffic, which adds an incredible experience for those who want to get away from the daily hustle and bustle. It is advisable to use a gravel, mountain or touring bike.
ROYAL ROAD OF GUADALUPE
This beautiful cycling destination starts from Madrid and can be done in 2 or 3 days depending on your pace and speed. In total, there are about 257 km between the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe and Madrid. The construction of this iconic Gothic-style construction was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993 and dates back to the 15th century. This route, located mainly in the province of Cáceres (Spain), has sections for all levels, and it is recommended to use a touring, mountain or gravel bike. It is great to visit especially during autumn and spring.
TRANSCANTABRIAN
Mountain bike enthusiasts (with a certain level of training) describe La Transcantábrica as one of the best spots for cycle tourism. This mountain bike route consists of 600 km of pedaling along rural roads, trialeras and incredible forest routes, ideal for those interested in cycling and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Cantabria. It also has an annual scheduled day, in which cyclists and ex-cyclists meet among stories, experiences and moments, to enjoy the route with friends and family. The route starts in Piedrafita del Cebrero, in Lugo, from where you cross Asturias and León, until finally arriving in Cantabria, the city of Reinosa. Normally, when doing this cycle touring route you cross the Cantabrian Mountains which have an elevation of 2,648 m. It is not only a sporting adventure, it will also be a trip through traditional villages and extraordinary landscapes! This route in Galicia is for intermediate level, recommended to be done with a mountain bike or gravel bike.
What should I bring when I go cycling?: Tips
The equipment and tools you take on your cycle touring trip will always depend on the location, duration and type of tour you take, so you should prepare more and better the longer your tour is and the more demanding the terrain. Most likely, for your cycle touring trip you will need:
- Appropriate clothing for the weather
- Sports shoes
- Bicycle glasses
- Bicycle helmet
- Tent if you spend a few nights away and the location is ideal for it.
- Supplies and refreshments: food, snacks, water and sports drinks.
- Basic cooking materials in case you need them
- A bike with special features: made of steel, robust, comfortable and well made for action, with 26'' or 28'' wheels, optimized for carrying loads with a luggage rack and maintaining stability, with geometry for long trips, among other features, such as a base for your mobile phone or GPS. However, the important thing is that they fulfill the functions you need for your cycle touring trip and also fit your budget correctly.
- Basic tools: such as spare tube, patch boxes, tire change kits, air pump, spoke wrench, chain breaker, chain links (easy-open), chain lubricants, brake pads, brake cables, brake pad pins, shift cable, cable stopper, spare light bulb, spare bolts, bottom bracket wrench, allen key sets, and any other additional elements that you consider necessary to support you in your cycle touring trip as your tour requires.
Remember that you will always need to carry the necessary provisions and tools to meet the objective of your trip. Take into account the terrain you will cross and also the time it will take you on the journey, alone or with someone.
Also, it is important to consider whether you need to transport your bike to the destination to start your route. cycle tourismYou can do this by bus, by plane or by using a parcel agency for a modest price.
Don't forget that among your cycling tools and equipment you should always include some good ones. glasses. Unlike your bike, for example, the cycling glasses They do not depend on the distance or time that your journey takes. Whenever you go on bike rides, you will need to carry cycling glasses with UV-400 protection to protect your eyes and vision from the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun, both on cloudy and sunny days.
How to choose the best cycling glasses for cycle touring?
- The best glasses for bicycle They will always be those that meet the highest quality standards endorsed by the EU. Look carefully at the warranty stickers that have UV400 protection to protect you from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
- Think about the demands of the sport you are going to do, and the time (day or season) when you will travel the cycle touring route. Remember that not all glasses for bicycle they are the same.
- Choose glasses by bike made of light and resistant materials that fit your face very well.
- Look for the glasses for bicycle with interchangeable lenses so that it is easier for you to change the lens you need if there is too much or too little light on the route.
- Don't buy glasses by bike from a flea market. They won't protect you from anything and will also damage your eyesight when you wear them.
- If it suits you better, you can choose to buy yours bicycle glasses online following this practical guide for buy glasses online This will make it more comfortable and easier for you!
- Think about the time of day and the weather, the glasses for bicycle and the color of their lenses behave differently when exposed to different weather conditions.
- Think about your eyes. Take glasses for bicycle It is essential to prevent eye diseases such as cataracts, melanomas, and even take care of ourselves. eye cancer.
Do cycle tourism It really is an adventure! And lovers of landscapes, tourism and physical exercise know that it is an excellent way to enjoy an adventure that, in addition to being different and fun, helps us maintain good physical condition and our physical and mental health.
Remember that it never hurts to protect yourself from the elements, so we invite you to take your best bicycle glasses and see you in action!
