Vuelta a Espana BICYCLE RACE 12 & 13, Sept, 2015

Posted by bicyclebananas on 08/27/15 10:59 PM

My wife & I are visiting Spain (honeymoon) and will be in Madrid September 11-14th. We would very much like to see the last 2 stages of the Vuelta de Espana Bicycle Race. Saturday is the challenge as the race will be northwest of Madrid about 40 kilometers near San Lorenzo de El Escorial / Cercedilla. We need to get to the course early before the roads close. I have worked in a bicycle shop most of my life and this is my first time to Europe. We would love to see as much of the race as possible. We'd love to meet up with others either local or visitors.

What should we do or who should we contact for advice? THANK YOU! Dan

Posted by Dave

Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA

08/27/15 11:12 PM

2262 posts

bicyclebananas-if you can add some detail I bet someone here can help you figure this out, what a great race this year and what an incredible field of riders!

Will you be sleeping in Madrid on the 10th? Will you have a rental car or are you looking for the best transport option to get to the stage on the 11th?

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

08/27/15 11:33 PM

7175 posts

You could plan your touring days as such
Stage 19 - Fri Sep 11 - Finish in Avila at approx 1700 http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2015/us/stage-19.html
Stage 20 - Sat Sep 12 - Start in El Escorial at 1240 http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2015/us/stage-20.html
Sage 21 - Sun Sep 13 - Finish in Madrid Plaza Cileles at approx 2000 http://www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2015/us/stage-21.html

I wonder if you could get to Avila early Friday, move to El Escorial very early Saturday, then return to Madrid on Sunday morning. Direct trains operate on all 3 legs of this triangle - Madrid => Avila => El Escorial=> Madrid

Posted by bicyclebananas OP

08/28/15 01:18 AM

3 posts

Thanks so much for your replies!!! Arriving Friday, 11/09/2015, at 3:10 pm on a high speed train from Barcelona, Atocha Station. In Madrid Hotel 11-13/09/2015, Fri Sat Sun. We could rent a car but are novice travelers and are apprehensive about driving and race road closures.
We are cyclists in our 50's and are in reasonably good condition and are fairly good riders. Our priority is to experience the race and does not have include bicycle riding but that would be welcome as would going with a group either local or visitors. Ideal might be to view race from a climb, walk over the summit and see them again as the riders double back toward the finish. Viewing the finish is secondary. Is this possible?? Sunday we plan to just walk around near the finish area on our own if that sounds like a good strategy. I raced a little in Northern California in the late 60's and early 70's.

Posted by Dave

Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA

08/28/15 03:35 PM

2262 posts

BB-if it were me-a cyclist in his 50's too-I think I'd rent a bike and approach that way, as you mention. Searching for bicycle rental Madrid Spain brings this up, though you can see where there may be a rush on rentals so you would want to act quickly. Perhaps this shop has a group ride or a support vehicle going to the race. You can use Google translate to get through their site. Have fun and let us know how it goes!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187514-d2313362-Reviews-Rutas_Pangea-Madrid.html#REVIEWS

http://www.rutaspangea.com/#