Get to know 7 great cycling routes to ride a bike!

cycling in Spain 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, practicing cycling allows you to travel long distances by bicycle in a non-competitive way, to freely enjoy the route, do physical exercise, get to know new locations and have an incredible time riding alone, or with colleagues and family.

Normally, we do this type of trips on bicycle for the mere pleasure of riding and learning, leaving competitiveness aside. But the truth is that many cycling lovers choose to set personal and specific goals in terms of distance and time. That is why cycling trips can last days, weeks, months and even years if we set out to do so. And it is that, a person who has a reasonable physical shape, who is capable of carrying luggage and, in addition, has an ideal bike, the necessary equipment to carry out this activity and good bicycle glasses, you can perfectly do cycling traveling up to 150km daily depending on the type of terrain, even managing to film considerable distances in a few days. All this while enjoying an incredible tourist tour at the same time!

Are you a lover of tourism and cycling? Then grab your good bike glasses and ride with us some of the best cycling routes in Spain!

THE 7 BEST ROUTES FOR CYCLE TOURING IN SPAIN

One of the main questions we ask ourselves when we decide to go on a cycling trip is where am I going? Here we recommend some of the best routes you can follow if you want to do cycling in Spain to explore during your next vacation. Discover emblematic towns with us, and unbeatable views of the mountains and coast!

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 cycling, ending in this Galician city. It is also one of the most visited routes by pilgrims from all over the world, and it can be done in different ways and by different routes, since it has a total of 765 kilometers of trails and routes ready to be pedaled. The most professional cyclists agree that the French Way is perhaps the most complete of all, divided into twelve stages that cover 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 would need a road or mountain bike depending on the route you want to choose. However, if it is a road that you can do almost with any type of bicycle, a very special one will not be necessary. It is best to visit it during the fall, between the months of September to October, or in the spring, between the months of April to May.

THE PYRENEES

The lover of road cycling and mountain biking will surely find their ideal place touring the Pyrenees, an international benchmark in the world of cycling, since it is home to the mythical ports of Andorra and the ports of the Tour de France , as well as the challenging route of the Trans-Pyrenees, although we must not confuse it with the GR11 (the Senda Pirenaica) which would correspond to the same adventure, but designed for hikers.

The route of the Pyrenees starts from Llançà (Girona in Catalonia), in the Mediterranean, to Hondarribia (Guipúzcoa in the Basque Country), in the Cantabrian Sea, or vice versa, since you can do it from both directions. The route for bicycles goes below the GR11, and it will take you at least sixteen days, so you should take into account accommodation in the surrounding areas or take camping supplies including a sleeping bag and a tent.

This is a challenging area for cycling in the north of Spain that requires experience, but also a lot of spirit of adventure. If you are in shape, on this coast-to-coast journey in the Pyrenees, one of the most impressive routes awaits you with a total of 900 km and thousands of meters of unevenness that will test your skills, while you enjoy yourself to the fullest while crossing the mountain range. , you cross forests, hills, valleys and meadows, which are undoubtedly appreciated more and better when you travel by bicycle.

For this you will need a road or mountain bike depending on the route you choose, and the difficulty varies in several levels. It is best done 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 will not be best to go through them if a heat wave or snowfall is approaching with the risk of a blizzard.

THE WAY OF LEVANTE

Another incredible circuit to do on a bicycle is El Camino de Levante, which heads through Toro towards Zamora, where it joins the Vía de la Plata. It runs through the Iberian Peninsula from east to northeast, and connects the Levant, Castilla la Mancha and Galicia. Specifically, it goes through several historical roads: leaving Valencia, it runs through part of the Vía Augusta that runs through the entire Mediterranean. In Castilla la Mancha it crosses some of Don Quixote's routes. Where Ávila joins Toro is the road to the burial of Isabel la Católica. And from Zamora to Santiago it recovers another Camino de Santiago, which in this case is the Camino Mozarabe. The route is all asphalt and has sections on secondary roads, bike lanes, national, regional and provincial roads. The route of 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 undoubtedly one of the most desired destinations for cyclists from Spain and the world. It offers everything from ideal rides for cycling to routes designed as training for cycling competitions such as the Tour de France. It also offers a camping area for cyclists! Without a doubt, it is one of the most incredible spots to practice this adventure sport. Its tour involves all levels, and it is highly recommended to visit for this purpose during the months of February to May. For this area on the eastern Spanish coast, it is best to take a road bike.

THE 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 roads, paved roads, paths and tracks that offer a great experience for the cyclist. 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 wish to get away from the daily hustle and bustle. It is advisable to use a gravel, mountain or touring bike.

CAMINO REAL DE GUADALUPE

This beautiful cycling destination starts from Madrid and you can do it in 2 or 3 days depending on the pace and speed you have. In total there are about 257 km of distance between the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe to Madrid. The elaboration of this iconic construction, in the Gothic style, 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 they recommend using a touring, mountain or gravel-style bike. It is great to visit especially during the fall and spring.

TRANSCANTÁBRICA

Lovers of mountain biking (with a certain level of training) describe La Transcantábrica as one of the best spots for cycling. This mountain bike journey consists of 600 km of pedaling along rural roads, trialeras and incredible forest routes, ideal for those interested in pedaling and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Cantabria. It also has an annual scheduled day, in which cyclists and former cyclists meet between stories, experiences and moments, to enjoy the tour with friends and family. It leaves from Piedrafita del Cebrero, in Lugo, from where it crosses Asturias and León, until it finally reaches Cantabria, the city of Reinosa. Normally, when doing this cycling route you cross the Cantabrian Mountains, which has an elevation of 2,648 m. Not only is it a sporting adventure, it will also be quite a journey through traditional villages and extraordinary landscapes! This route in Galicia is of a medium level, recommended to be done with a mountain and gravel bike.

What should I take when cycling?: Tips

The equipment and tools you take on your cycling trip will always depend on the location, the duration and the type of tour you do, so you should prepare more and better as your tour is longer and the terrain more demanding. Most likely, for your cycling trip you will need:

• Appropriate clothing according to the weather
• Sports shoes
• Bike glasses
• Bike helmet
• Tent if you spend a few nights out and the location is ideal for it.
• Supplies and refreshments: food, snacks, water and sports drinks.
• Basic cooking materials if needed
• Bike with special features: made of steel, robust, comfortable and well-built for action, with 26'' or 28'' wheels, optimized to carry a load with a rack (luggage rack) and maintain stability, with geometry for lengths trips, among other features, such as a base for the mobile or GPS. However, the important thing is that they meet the functions you need for your cycling journey and also fit your budget correctly.
• Basic tools: such as spare tube, patch boxes, removable kits, air pump, spoke wrench, chain tool, chain links (easy-open), chain lubricants, brake pads, brake cables, brake pad clips, shift cable, cable stopper, spare bulb, spare bolts, bottom bracket wrench, allen key sets, and any other additional item that you deem necessary to support you in your cycling trip as required by your tour.

Remember that it will always be necessary for you to carry the necessary provisions and tools to fulfill the objective of your trip. Take into account the terrain that you will cross and also the time that you will spend on the journey, alone or accompanied.

In addition, it is important to consider if you need to transport your bicycle to the place of destination to start your cycling tour route. This can be done by bus, by plane or using a parcel agency for a small fee.

Don't forget that among your cycling tools and equipment you should always include good glasses. Contrary to your bike, for example, bike glasses do not depend on the distance or time it takes you your tour. Whenever you ride a bike, you will need to wear bike glasses with UV-400 protection to protect your eyes and sight from the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun, both on cloudy and sunny days.

How to choose the best bicycle glasses for cycling?

• The best glasses for bicycle will always be those that meet the best quality standards endorsed by the EU. Take a good look 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 moment (day or season) in which you will travel the cycle touring route. Remember that not all goggles for bike are the same.
• Choose goggles for bicycles made of light and resistant materials that fit your face very well.
• Look for the goggles for bike with interchangeable lenses so that it is easier for you to modify the lens you need if there is excess or lack of light on the route.
• Don't buy goggles for bicycles from the flea market. They will not protect you from anything and will also damage your eyesight when using them.
• If it suits you better, you can choose to buy your bike glasses online by following this practical guide for buy glasses online So it will be more comfortable and easier for you!
• Think about the time of day and the weather, goggles for bike and the color of their lenses behave differently when exposed to different weather conditions.
• Think about your eyes. Wearing goggles for bicycles is essential to prevent eye diseases such as cataracts, melanomas, and even take care of eye cancer.

Doing cycling is really quite an adventure! And lovers of landscaping, 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 bike glasses and see you in action!