Ride Madrid to Lisbon, bridging two capitals

Portugal Nature Trails have recently launched a cycling tour that aims to connect the capital city of Spain to the capital of Portugal via mountain bike, through a spectacular route on the Central Iberian Mountain Range all the way to the Roca Cape, the western point of Europe. The 1200-kilometer traverse has about 28,000 meters of accumulated height over 15 days. The route goes through the Guadarrama, Zapatero, Gredos, Las Hurdes, Gata, Malcata, Estrela, Açor, Lousã, Aires, Candeeiros, Montejunto and Sintra Mountains – whew!

The off-road route cuts across forest tracks, gravel roads and steep singletrack over the highest slopes across the Iberian Peninsula until reaching the seaside, with beautiful cliffs over the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re up for a challenge, it looks like a great route through some beautiful towns and landscapes. Check out all details for this brand new cycling tour at: www.portugalnaturetrails.com/#/madrid-lisbon-mtb/4557794910 or the MTB Madrid-Lisbon site,  www.bikemadridlisbon.com.

Tour of the Moon

We don’t generally feature tours on other planets, but we’ll make an exception for the Tour of the Moon.

OK, it’s not really on the Moon – it’s in Colorado. Between 1980 and 1988, a stage of the Coors International Bicycle Classic race was held in Colorado National Monument — a ride coined “tour of the moon” because of its otherworldly monument scenery.

The new Tour of the Moon is not a race, but a one-day tour which will raise money for two nonprofit organizations. A website with information regarding February registration should be up and running by Feb. 1, said Scot Harris of Rocky Mountain Events, who is promoting the bike tour along with Mike Heaston of Event Marketing.

There are two different routes from which to choose: The “classic” Tour of the Moon is a 41-mile course that starts in downtown Grand Junction at Two Rivers Convention Center, enters the east entrance of the monument, exits through the west entrance and then returns to the convention center. The other, 62-mile extended course includes an additional 21 miles through Fruita’s farmland area. It will also begin and end at Two Rivers in Grand Junction. Cost is $110, of which $10 will be split between two nonprofit organizations, the Riverfront Commission and Bicycle Colorado, an advocacy group for Colorado cyclists. We’ll provide more details as they’re available.

ExperiencePlus! marks 40 years of cycling tours

On April 28 and 29, ExperiencePlus! invites riders to join them in their hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado to celebrate their 40th anniversary. They’re planning two days of cycling that begin on day one with a 60-mile ride up to Horsetooth Mountain Park and a downhill into Eden Valley, followed by a local brewery tour. The birthday dinner celebrations will take place at the Armstrong, a historic landmark hotel located in Old Town Fort Collins. On Sunday, over approximately 25 miles, cyclists will enjoy views of the Bellevue Valley, a loop popular with local cyclists.

“I’m excited about the birthday party!” says Maria Elena Price, co-owner and manager of Experience Plus. “It should be a great event with loyal alumni from all over and local folks who may have ridden with us or simply seen us evolve and grow through the years.”

$100 per person includes van support, one breakfast, one gourmet dinner, snacks, a brewery tour and tasting and a custom commemorative cycling jersey. Road and hybrid bike rentals are available at a local bike shop at $40 for the first day and $15 for an additional day. Add $100 for double occupancy overnight lodging.

If you’re intrigued, just go to: http://www.experienceplus.com/tours/tours.html?tid=2776.

Cycle the Islands and Seacoast

Bike four of New England‘s most beautiful islands on one incredible adventure. Great Freedom Adventures‘ new Islands and Seacoast tour features a unique combination of islands from Block Island, an unspoiled paradise, to Martha’s Vineyard, retreat of presidents. In between lie islands and peninsulas of extraordinary beauty and exceptional cycling.

This tour will take you to world-famous gems like the Newport mansions, the renowned Cliff Walk and the red cliffs of Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard; quiet coastal areas of uncommon beauty and blissful cycling through heritage coastal farmland of vineyards and horse farms. Flat roads offer nearly effortless cycling past verdant fields lined with ancient stone walls that stretch to the Atlantic on the horizon.

The tour sets off in July and September, so start dreaming of summer now. Find out more at http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com/ri-ma-cycle-tour.html

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B&R introduces new Bistro cycling tours

Butterfield & Robinson have been introducing several new styles of tours recently, and their latest is the Bistro series of trips. Bistro tours are designed for those willing to give up a few creature comforts in pursuit of new experiences. They’re a little more modest and laid back than a typical B&R trip, and priced accordingly. Meals are built around simple dishes and regional delicacies, in the kinds of places popular with the locals.

Bistro tours are currently offered in Burgundy, Provence, Tuscany, Puglia, Normandy, Catalonia and Piemonte. But you can be sure that more tours will be added if Bistros are a success. If you’ve always wanted to enjoy a B&R trip but have found the prices a bit rich for your taste, check out the Bistro series of trips.

The 45 places to go in 2012

Looking for a new destination for a cycling tour? The New York Times has just released their annual list of where to go and why to go there. Their 2012 list includes Antarctica, Austria, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Finland, France, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Panama, Patagonia, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, South Korea, St. Vincent, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tibet, Uganda, Ukraine, the UK, the USA, Vietnam and Wales. It even includes outer space – but we’ll let you discover why by reading the article.

Aside from space, nearly every one of these destinations offers great cycling. For mountain biking, Brazil, Mexico, Patagonia, Tanzania and Wales have been on our radar for some time. For road riding, Croatia, Japan, Jordan, Panama and Vietnam offer great tours. If you’re looking to add a little interest to your cycling and discover a new destination, check out what the New York Times has to say – they’ve definitely done their homework.

Calling all cycling beer enthusiasts!

Beer Cycling. Enough said.

There appears to be a little piece of heaven for some in southern Netherlands and northern Belgium: a company taking you from pint A to pint B atop a bicycle.

Beer Cycling offer two 10-day tours exploring the flat Flanders fields of northern Belgium and the southern Netherlands region of Limburg along the Maas River before heading north towards Amsterdam. Along the way you’ll enjoy traditional and micro beers, learn ancient brewing secrets and enjoy beer-food pairing as well as enjoying a cycling experience through some of the most beautiful, flat and traditional regions of Europe. Although the focus is on beer during these tours, inebriation isn’t. Beer Cycling are simply providing an alternative to the ever-popular wine-tasting cycling tours while keeping  you active, engaged and adventurous.

Keep an eye on these guys too because they’re expanding across the globe and looking at California for their next beer tour.
Cheers!

Naughty or Nice?

Has your cycling loved one been Naughty or Nice this year? Does trying to figure out what to get everyone on your Nice list send you into a Christmas Eve frenzy? Well, if you’re stuck for a few Christmas gift ideas here are a few of our favourite online options for that cycling-loving guy or gal in your life.

Bicycle Gifts of Illinois offer an array of retro, modern and just plain cool gifts like gadgets, posters, ornaments, jewellery and clothing. They currently have many items on sale and always have an Under $20 category.

Texas’ Mellow Johnny’s always has a huge range of Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop and the famous Juan Pelota clothing and coffee as well as fun accessories, gadgets and kids clothing.

And finally look mum no hands in London offer unique gifts emblematic of the bicycle-culture abounding in the hip capital city.

So now we’ve set you on the path to Christmas-gift ataraxia, put your feet up with a nice little eggnog, mulled wine or a hot chocolate and enjoy the Christmas spirit.

May 2012 bring you tail winds, smooth pavement and adventure.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Cervélo + Butterfield & Robinson = Cervélo Pro Travel Experience

Two highly successful Canadian cycling-focused giants have put their thinking caps together to create a harmonious union just for you. Bike manufacturer Cervélo and luxury cycling tour operator Butterfield & Robinson have just announced their exciting new collaboration for 2012; they’re offering more than a dozen luxury cycling trips showcasing the many races Cervélo will compete in.

On the 2012 Cervélo Pro Travel Experience roster are the Spring Classics, Giro d’Italia, the UCI Road World Championships and the Tour de France. In North America they’ll showcase the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec & Montréal, the Tour of California and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado.

With profiles like the Alps, Pyrénées, Rockies and Dolomites these tours are not concerned with simple recreational cycling, the kind that takes you 15 kilometers from vineyard to ancient ruin via lunch and a glass of Pinot Gris. You’ll be challenged, rewarded with simple attainment and impressive vistas, then challenged again.

It’s a smart move on both sides of the equation; B&R are pioneers of the cycling-tour industry with a remarkable 45 years in the business and Cervélo are the leaders in bicycle innovation, design and technology.

If art, cycling, indulgence and travel were to have a love child it would be the Cervélo Pro Travel Experience.

Tours range from 5-7 nights $3,495-$4,995, you’ll be kitted out with a sharp Castelli Kit and a seminal R3 to ride.

Visit Travel Cervélo and enjoy the ride.

Happy 25th Freewheeling Adventures!

Freewheeling Adventures of Nova Scotia, Canada, is turning 25 in 2012. And they’d love you to attend the party! As a special celebratory gift to you they’re offering a discount on any of their 2012 guided and self-guided tours. Reserve such an adventure, with a start date later than May 31st, 2012, by December 15th, 2011 and you will receive a 5% early booking discount. Score!

Freewheeling Adventures offer cycling, paddling, hiking, yoga and multisport tours all over the world from Canada to Costa Rica and from Iceland to Japan. Take your pick of cycling the Danube or the desert tracks of Israel, frolic on the South Shore beaches of Nova Scotia with your kids or enjoy a bit of everything on the spectacular Dalmatian Coast. Whatever your preferences, whatever your abilities, whatever your age, whatever your budget and whatever your bucket list Freewheeling Adventures really does have something for everyone.

To check out their full roster of tours click here.