Cycling in Spain

07Lapierre

Hi Guys

I'm heading over to Spain in a few weeks and bringing my bike along. We're staying in a town called Nerja, which is a few miles east from Malaga. Just wondering if anyone can suggest, or know of some good cycling routes in that part of the world?

Many thanks

Sean02

Basicaly the costal road towards Malaga is flat towards Almeria slightly more undulading, on this route take the road to right before tunnell through reserve.
The best challenge is Nerja towards Frigiliana (watch out for Christy Moore) from there there are three or four circular trips back on to the coastal road at Rincon del la Victoria the furthest point of return to Nerja. I think from memory that about 50 tough miles. shorter returns at Torre de mar and Torrox Costa.
Local tourist office will give you "Mapa de La Axarquia" great A3 Cycling map. If your m.t.b. get the "Ruta de Vino" although many of the routes are from Malaga.
Make sure you have two water cages full. Enjoy.

blorg

If you go north just a bit you get into the mountains - we were there in February. I expect it will be pretty hot when you are there so try to get the cycling in early in the morning.

07Lapierre

Thanks Sean02. Just finished mapping a route on Mapmyride.com. Think this is one of the routes you were talking about
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/spain/torrox/572124579163034244

Unfotunatly i'm heading over there for the first week in August! It'll be damn hot I'm sure, so early morning rides are a must. Looking forward to it though. Many thanks for the route suggestions and tips

07Lapierre

Looks good Blorg! Thanks for that. I'll be bringing my Oregan Scientific video cam for the decents..hope to get some good shots..I'll post the results (if there worth posting that is) cheers

macadam

That Sierra Nevada loks like a great hol , but unfortunately I am off with the family for aweek and can only manage a few hours most mornings, anywhere in Torremolinos I can hire a good road bike for a week or even daily.

Maca

umpire bat

This is a wonderful event which I saw finishing at Pico Veleta in the Sierra Nevada last summer. It goes from Granada up to the ski resort. Its about a one and a half hour drive from Nerja to the start. And an awesome return trip back to the coast at Motril. Envious.

http://www.cicloturistaveleta.es/index.html?arbol=dorsales

Húrin

Spanish drivers have a bad reputation for mixing with cyclists. However I found no evidence of this in Catalunya though that may be because it's more French up there.

littleknown

August is pretty much the hottest time to go to spain and the south is especially hot - at the moment its nearly 35 degrees and usually pushes over 40 in August, when you say early cycles you will be talking around 5 in the morning as by around 2 i wouldnt recommend it until 5 or 6 in the evening, i only cycle in the evenings at the moment from 7 to 10 and its perfect although still hot and you can get sunburnt even at this time ( good aul farmers tan going on ) use a lot of suncream and as above poster said beware of the motorists, they arent very cyclist concious despite spain having produced some of the worlds best cyclists, good luck,

blorg

Húrin wrote: »

Spanish drivers have a bad reputation for mixing with cyclists. However I found no evidence of this in Catalunya though that may be because it's more French up there.

I don't think they do have a bad reputation. I've cycled all over Spain and drivers are very good, far better than Irish drivers certainly. They seem to have an appreciation for the sport (Spain has one of the largest contingents in the ProTour.) Portugal now is a disaster.

07Lapierre

Anyone know if there is a good bicycle shop in Malaga/Nerja where I might get a local cycling Jersey? (Maybe the motorists will respect me more if they think I'm a local). Mind you, the pale white legs and arms might give me away!

Sean02

Madadam excellent bike shop accross the road and around corner from Torremolinos Bus station 10 years ago they did't rent worth trying now. Otherwise the nearist shop (10 yrs ago) was Bici Sports in Puerto de la Toros, Malaga. the only shop for gear at that time. Renting a MTB is easy, road bikes are difficult to impossible however Bici will you a bike and buy it back (its to do with insurance).
Hurlin as Irish persons which I assume you are we should not even discuss the subject of bad drivers. By miles we are in the same cat. as the portuseese and the turkisk. We havent got a clue. Spain mostly motorist are happy to stay behind you till the horizon is clear.
07 while in Nerja get info from Nineteenth Bar (Jimmy) about local cycling Club and Gino. Somethimes they organise speed controled day tours in the area which are fantastic. If there not on the pint in Jimmys bar are great!!