nice documentary..... but it comes around with the same old problems: why do we have to come through economical and security problems instead of developing a bike aware culture?? I'm afraid that we the spaniards are too lazy to ride, we love to be canned into our cars that we love to brag off with our mates. And there's also a huge lack of respect from drivers to bikers so they actually fear to ride on towns. Changing subject... my knee was fine for the tri-cross and i have finished 12th out of 400 so it's a nice start isn't it?? XD
Indeed. So glad to know that your knee injury is a thing of the past. You got an awesome result, outstanding performance. Congrats! Yeah, riding a bicycle in most of the countries out there, Spain included and with the exception of the Hollands, is not as safe as it should be. By now it´s my way or the highway kinda rule. http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/uk-lo...ads-which-deter-cyclists-from-visiting-the-uk Love London, go Dutch campaign: http://lcc.org.uk/pages/go-dutch Cheers!.
The Netherlands' policy was 'build and they will come', build good cycle lanes and people will start using them. Do you think that would work in Madrid, or in Spain in general? If so then all we need is the political will and money to build them. In the same way that building more roads and car parks encourages the use of cars, building infrastructure for bikes would encourage their use. To me it's a no-brainer. As for the cultural aspects you mentioned (too lazy to ride, love their cars), perhaps that is the first phase of the rapidly growing technological revolution where techonology and 'progress' are idealized. When I first came to Spain (a long time ago) I remember a lot of Spaniards had a complex because Spain wasn't as 'developed' as other countries such as the States (where I'm from). So it's easy to idealize technology and believe it will solve all your problems and bring happiness. But in time people realize that all this technology comes at a high cost. It seems you can't gain something without losing something. Perhaps this explains the increasing popularity of retro movements where people pine after the esthetics of simpler times. So this is the point when we apply political pressure to build bike lanes (demonstrations and such) like they did in the Netherlands. That's basically the story of the Netherlands: rapid technological development followed by disechantment with such a car-dominated world with children losing their lives while on bikes or in traffic accidents. Perhaps Spain will follow a similar cycle of whole-heartedly embracing technology, but then gradually backing away from it, or at least becoming much more skeptical of its benifits. They'll begin to realize that if you're lazy and spend all your time in a car, you get fat, you get polluted air, you get stressed out in traffic. Maybe it's time for a change. Build bike lanes! Get a bike! 12th of of 400. Wow, that's impressive!
i just agree in the sense that there's a need of political will. Anyway, as you said, would it work in high car pressure towns as Madrid? Moreover: is there people enough to ride in such a steep town? This is not the Netherlands. We are the 2nd most elevated country in Europe, just behind Swiss. I'd hope to be wrong but i don't believe in the use of bikes as commuters. Neither at short or mid term. Apart from the political will, we need to encourage bikers at their jobs. Nice and surveilled bike parking lots are compulsory.
Yes, the "Build and they will come" rule is also proven right in Madrid, Madrid-Río bike lanes... No doubt of its effectiveness, so effective that let me play devil´s advocate to this. What´s faster, going from point A to point B on bicycle, say 5 kilometers, in Amsterdam or same distance in Madrid?. Is the Netherlands a victim of its own success and need some more political will and money to get rid of bike congestion?. While you´re reading this, point B is being reached in Madrid. Faster, less safe ride. To me, new infraestructure is needed but having in mind how it´d evolve if it´s a success.
Awesome! well done Jorge, great result. Although the Dutch have a unique advantage of terrain of course, its very easy to travel long distances quickly with such a flat land. Yes I think the cycle lanes are important but there is also a chance right now to push cycling with tax breaks. In such a difficult financial climate the government could be pushing tax advantages for those people able to commute by cycles and lower VAT on cycle purchases could really push the adoption. Employers being offered Tax breaks and health insurance breaks, incentives for changing facilities, would go a long way to push cycling out from the employer.
2nd race in a row, another 'mixed' one. It was a duatlon-cross, which involved a 5 km run, 18 km of mtb and another stint of 2,5 kms run. Exhausted but glad, the best were the mates who camed to cheer me up. Cool! Btw, i'll finish this martyr to my body when i'll have finished the Triatlon del Tajo next Sunday..... so close so tired! I have improved and arrived 11th of 110! one by one, step by step i'll reach the podium in 8 races what about your week-end guys?
Very well done, jorgt and nice to see your evolution as a complete athlete. Keep up your spirits! Today we rode from Miraflores to La Morcuera and Canencia Hills... Have some proof: There´s something wrong with that pic but who cares! Big deal.
pfeeewwww! nice place La Morcuera pass. There are two weird things in the pic: first: Why is that yellow bike stuck into your ass? Second: When has Morcuera grown 3000m ? Tell us more. Did you climb la Majada del Cojo too? Did you arrive to Canencia to ride the GR10 singletrack??
Gotcha!. This is the 3000 meters lower original sing. The yellow Specialized StumpJumper is Carlo´s, a friend of us that also writes here in the forum. We need to aks you about the trails around La Morcuera!. You seem to know them pretty well.
she's a stunning beauty that Stumpy. It's very easy to reach Canencia from Morcuera by tracks, and those 3,5 kms from Canencia to Bustarviejo are priceless!! You can also turn around El Pendon for some swift broken trails
Good point. Wow, racing and finishing at the head of the pack. Sounds like you're fit and and have good bike skills. We need get to know the area of La Morcuera better, for example, once in Canencia we took the highway back to Miraflores, but it turns out you can take the GR10, which I just heard of today. Also La Majada del Cojo doesn't ring any bells with me, we'll have to find it as well. This track looks good. http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=1882814 Today I went to Moralzarzal with some people I just met, and we passed through Becerril, Navacerrada, Collado Mediano, and Alpedrete, and we weren't on alphalt that much. And there were some beautiful single tracks along the way as well, a really good mix of XC and enduro, and that's what I like!
no no no!!! every time you take the tarmac on a mtb god kills a kitty in heaven. That's a beautiful track which includes some of the best trails too. But i'm afraid it's a bit upside down...the point is start at Miraflores, climb to MMorcuera, come down to Rascafria along the track, climb Majada from Alameda, reach CAnencia, down again to Bustarviejo and come back on swift trails to Miraflores. Hard, lovely, it will take not least than 4.30 hours if you're used to, stop a while for pics and all that stuff and get ready for a 6 hrs ride taht you'll not forget easily... i'll seek some track for you just pinch me!!
dammn it it was hot indeed!! One of these days we'll set on fire spontaneously. I went for a ride at 18.30 , just a couple of hours and wow the sun heat pretty well! Didn't you ride today??
Not today. After doing La Morcuera/Canencia on Saturday, Moralzarzal-Becerril-Navacerrada-Collado Mediano-Alpedrete on Sunday, I was ready for a break. Besides that, I've been busy at work today. I'll do something tomorrow even if it's just going jogging a bit, just hope I don't burst into flames. The thing to do now is head for the hills where it's cooler, or go early in the morning. In my case, since I'm working mornings this month, that just leaves my evenings when, if I'm not careful, I'll experience spontaneous combustion. BTW, here's a pic from my ride yesterday: too bad I'm not sure where it was taken, but it was a fun single track. Ver el archivo adjunto 2983009
Ey, really nice pic to use as a wallpaper for your personal computer!. Hot in the summer, we tend to work it out everywhere the same way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBmCi3DrE6I Tricky dusty track full of roots there Chain. Same guy crashing his bike twice due to the roots on the paht: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_HN9Vj_tSI&feature=relmfu Cheers!
Hmmm, sounds like you've got me sussed out: I in fact have the above pic as wallpaper on my pc. That corner was actually a bit tricky: a sharp turn with roots strategically placed in such a way as to throw you off course and maybe off your bike. I was tempted to put a foot down, but actually once I got through it didn't seem so bad. Didn't end up like the guy in the video. In the other video the guy's going to ride at night in Texas. He doesn't talk about it but I suppose he's got good lights on his bike. Speaking of night rides, there's a group riding in El Pardo from 8:00-11:00 tonight. But I probably won't go as I don't feel prepared for darkness while negotiating obstacles, jumps, small and large animals, and who knows what else. Also I have an early morning tomorrow (like every morning), so I suppose I'll give it a miss. Have you noticed? Night riding on mountain bikes seems to be catching on.
