{"id":11905,"date":"2023-06-28T11:59:35","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T09:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=11905"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:25:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:25:02","slug":"cycling-in-madrid-unknown-does-not-mean-unloved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/spanje\/fietsen-in-madrid-onbekend-maakt-niet-onbemind","title":{"rendered":"Cycling in Madrid: the unknown doesn't make you indifferent!"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want to cycle in Spain, there are regions that are more captivating than Madrid. In fact, we\u2019re fans ourselves. Mallorca<\/a>, We were recently in Basque Country<\/a> and also around Calpe<\/a> It's a wonderful place to stay. And don't forget Southern Spain: Andalusia<\/a> It\u2019s a dream come true. Yet we also want to give a shout-out to the Spanish capital. Royal cycling in Madrid? That might be a good term? We don\u2019t know for 100% sure yet. What we do know is that Madrid offers more than just some wide streets, the Puerto del Sol square, football, museums, and a flea market. Madrid is also a go-to destination for cycling enthusiasts. Not in the heart of summer, that\u2019s for sure. Explorer Dennis<\/a> takes you on a beautiful route on the west side of the capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Text and photos: Dennis Knuist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Destination Madrid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When I decide to go to Madrid in the spring, I don\u2019t know exactly what awaits me. At the invitation of a friend-cycling club, I travel to the capital of Spain. For me, it is mostly known for weekend trips and often the finish of La Vuelta. I let myself be surprised. For this trip, I booked a stay in Pozuelo de Alarc\u00f3n, west of Madrid. In hotel apartment The Oliver<\/a> I feel right at home here. Not only because it\u2019s right next to Domestique cycling lab. This is a beautiful shop with passionate staff. They are very helpful, including helping me choose nice routes in the area. The hotel has nice rooms, good beds, and you\u2019re allowed to bring your bike into the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apartment The Oliver \u2013 great place with the adjacent Domestique Cycling Lab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Go West!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When we start this route from Pozuelo de Alarc\u00f3n, we head west towards Brunete. You\u2019ll encounter some more congested roads and pass through a residential area. You\u2019ll have to accept this because after navigating through the city, you\u2019ll be presented with the best of the region. Here you\u2019ll find vast roads lined with fields and through the hills with small villages and short climbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spring fields in Brunete \u2013 (c) AdobeStock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Climbers and bunkers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is characteristic of this area are the short climbs. Although you often see long straight roads in the Vuelta, which seem tight like a billiard cloth, it is nevertheless a rugged landscape. The route offers us a number of climbs that are not very steep. You see an average of four to five percent and in terms of length you reach a maximum of six kilometers. In total, you cover a nice 1,700 meters of elevation gain in 120 km. For Madrid and the surrounding area, you might not expect this. The roads are generally good and the asphalt is smooth, but you don\u2019t slide off easily. The traffic outside Madrid is really minimal, but you have to take into account a truck here or there. Along the route you have many bunkers from the civil war (Guerra civil) 1936-1939. Fierce fighting took place around Madrid. Many monuments in the villages along the route also commemorate this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fietsen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NASA is here<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As soon as you get a little higher, you\u2019ll come out from Colmenar del Arroyo at the NASA deep space communication center. This complex with a very large dish park was built around the first moon landing in 1969. It\u2019s an impressive building, with a nice road leading there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View and more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the road you have a good view of the center, which is located somewhat lower. Here the climbs are steeper and longer, but the view of the surroundings is beautiful. In Villanueva De la Ca\u00f1ada, you have a nice place for a coffee stop or lunch. Crumbles<\/a> They have delicious coffee and various cakes and pies. But they also have delicious sandwiches. From the coffee stop back to Pozuelo de Alarc\u00f3n it\u2019s basically just downhill. Along the villages and again vast long roads with views of Madrid in the distance. In the middle of it all, a short steep climb before returning full speed ahead to Domestique for a cola and a poke bowl for lunch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cycling routes in Madrid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below you can find Dennis\u2019 route through Madrid. Want to know more about Madrid and cycling in that area? Then read also Story by Kees Langeveld<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n