Madrid by bike
— With such wide rights of access to cyclists, Madrid is the perfect city to see on two wheels.”
Our guide to Madrid on two wheels is Kaspar, a Swiss expat. This probably explains the signed portrait of Toni Rominger in the tiny front office, a Swiss pro cyclist who spent much of his career in Spain. I wonder what Kaspar would have said of his other famous signed portrait, now that only three days later Alberto Contador announced a positive test for clenbuterol.
Anyway, J and I usually pass on organised city tours, preferring to discover things for ourselves, so we’re already out on a limb here. And being somewhat allergic to the sort of loud, brash tour guides that draw attention to the touristic nature of their endeavours, I’m grateful for Kaspar’s doctorly manner. How wonderfully Swiss of him.
Unlike the other tour guests, Americans one and all, J and I had already spent a day or two in the city. Even so, hopping in and out of metro stations like cautious bunnies does not really present a city as a cohesive unit, so this bike tour certainly delivered that. And of course, one can cover a lot of ground and get a bit of insider information to boot.
Bike route
Our excellent Madrid bike tour was provided by BravoBike.com.
See also:
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