Madrid and Segovia surroundings

This is one of our star guided bike tours. We visit the most attractive parts of the Madrid sierra including the medieval village of Pedraza and Rascafria. Bicycling through the lands of Segovia, we stop at villages with Romanesque style churches where the people´s livelihood is drawn from the natural produce of the land they live upon.

Arriving at the noble and 1000 year old city of Segovia, we are cast back centuries in history. We enter under a superbly preserved Roman aqueduct and continue on the beautiful cathedral and the Alcazar (Castle fortress) just like those that appear in fairy tales. Our accommodation is in the centre of the city.

On day 2 we ride up to the Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso, once a royal summer residence of the spanish kings. The road rises to cross the sierra once more. We ride along a Roman road, flanqued by large pines, trees and brooks. Arriving at El Escorial, we are once more surrounded by famous monuments like the monastery and palace of king Philip II, gardens and palaces that still stand graciously as they did in old times. Our tour ends in Madrid , where we will enjoy the intensity of the city life offering its museums, gardens palaces and well preserved monuments. We normally ride in the mornings, have lunch together, followed by sightseeing and arriving at the hotels in the early evening when time id free.

Segovia is well known for its perfectly well conserved masterpiece of Roman architecture: the aqueduct. It's gastronomy based on suckling pig, roasted lamb and the rich Segovian bean stew and the typical sweets of the region to end up a delicious meal.

Itinerary

Day 1. Rascafía (Madrid).
Pick up at the airport at the agreed time and transfer to the Sheraton Hotel Santamaría del Paular. Introductions and selection of bicycle. Possibility to walk around the village to get acquainted with it and its monastery.

Day 2. Pedraza (Segovia). 55 km. 410 mts. gradient.
After the hearty breakfast at the hotel, we start cycling in the beautiful valley of Lozoya and its dam, to start ascending Navafria ,taking us to the side of the Segovian range. This is not a very steep ride, although long. From there we can have beautiful views of the valley and the pine woods. The descent is agreeable and peaceful. It takes us to small villages that still have all the charm of past times.
Pedraza outstands them all. We enter the village through an arch in its walls. Some of the houses once belonged to noble families and on the façade they still keep the families´ coat of arms. There, we will have the chance to eat the famous Segovian lamb.

Day 3. Segovia. 52 km. 120 mts. gradient.
We leave Pedraza, and look forward to our arrival in Segovia. We go through small villages with Romanesque churches and refreshing fountains, sparrows and hawks will be looking upon us as we go through the silent roads. We reach Segovia, crossing the Roman aqueduct (the best preserved in the world) and we sample some regional wine along with an aperitif. After resting at the hotel we visit the cathedral, the Alcazar (fortress) and the charming old part of the town.

Day 4. El Escorial (Madrid). 55 km. 200 mts. gradient.
Today we have a very intense day. After visiting the sumptuous Palace of La Granja with its fountains and gardens we leave either on a forest path or by road, passing by streams and centenary trees to reach El Escorial , always with superb views. We stop at a small village to recover some strength and we can also visit The Valley of the Fallen (Monument to all the Spaniards that died during the civil war and Franco´s tomb).

Day 5. Madrid.
Today we don´t have a long ride to do. We will be touring the outskirts of El Escorial and we will be visiting "Philip II´s chair” (A carved stone in the shape of a seat from where Philip II contemplated the process of the monastery works), the monastery gardens and the hills of El Escorial . We will be leaving the bikes to visit the monastery, we will have lunch and continue to Madrid by minibus. Afternoon and evening are free. As an optional choice we offer you a flamenco show with dinner.

Day 6. Madrid.
Free day. We will be giving information and tips on things to do and places to go to. The choice is very large. Not to be missed are: The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor (main central square) and some museums. Another option: Get to know Madrid by bicycle with Bravo Bike!

Day 7. End of trip.
If you have the time, we suggest you go to the Retiro (classical park with lots of things going on in it), or to "el rastro ", a flea market. Transfer to airport in our minibus when needed.