Madrid to Lisbon Road Bike Tour

There will be stages where it is possible to buy food and drinks in the villages the journey passes through.

However in some stages this is not the case, thus you should plan what to carry on a day by day basis in accordance with the briefing notes given for each stage, the weather forecast and your particular needs.

In order to help you during the tour, we have indicated POIs with some of the places where you will be able to buy food and drinks. These special points will also be signaled on the provided day sheets.

Before each stage starts, at the picnic lunches and at the finish of each stage at the hotel, The Organizers will have for sale everyday not only energy bars and isotonic drinks, but also others things like: spare tubes, nappy creams, tires, CO2 canisters, tire pumps, jerseys and shorts, recovery drinks, etc […].

Nothing. When you book the tour this includes hotel accommodation and meals all included. Breakfast is provided in all the hotels each morning and we will book the evening meals for all the riders. Please make sure the organization knows, well in advance, if you have special dietary requirements/allergies.

Please note that it is not always possible to cater for vegetarians who eat neither meat nor fish. This is not common in Spain and Portugal and a proper meal without these 2 ingredients can sometimes be very hard to organize. If this is your case you may consider bringing some dietary supplements.

When you book the tour all meals are included, and then you are entitled evening meals from Madrid to Lisbon, picnic lunch which includes food rich in ingredients best known for aiding recovery in each stage and breakfast in every hotel of the tour.

This service is prepared by some of the hotels. Please try to book this service in advance in order to be sure that the masseurs will be available at the hotels. Inform us of your needs and we will contact the designated hotels.

Yes, in most of the hotels there is either free Wi-Fi, or internet access booths in the lobby. In emergency cases you can always ask the Organizers for access codes to join the tour mobile internet network.

Please remember that, during the tour, all your belongings must compulsory be transported inside your bags. Also take in consideration that the Organizers cannot be held responsible for any damage to whatever electronic or other equipment you carry inside your luggage.

Yes, companions can join you. If you want them to stay in the some hotel, please tell us as soon as possible. We will try to book hotels and evening meals for all companions. Just ask us for the quote.

Yes, if your companions have registered, we can book the same hotels and try to arrange the best way to follow the journey, please ask quotes for this.

The Organizers do not pay for any extras in the hotels. The hotel will have an extras bill per room to be paid in full by the responsible occupants on checking out. Only accommodation, breakfast and dinner is part of the contracted fee, everything else is considered an extra.

Based on previous editions observations we can say that there isn’t an ideal bike configuration for this journey, or on the other hand, there are many. It all depends on one´s needs. If your prime objective is to have fun and be the fastest rider in the group, then a rigid light bike would be the perfect weapon. On the other hand, if you just want to finish the journey without a lot body pain, then a not so light full suspension may be the best option. (MTB)

Regarding frame materials, carbon fiber and its new production technologies, has, in the recent past, proven to be the winning formula both for FS and HT bikes. Titanium for a rigid bike is a classic for long distances and its plush ride adds comfort when you spend many hours on the saddle. (MTB or ROAD)

Aluminium is probably the least recommended material due to its harsh response to rough terrain, imposing a lot of body fatigue which one wants to avoid as much as possible in long stages. (ROAD)

Please, don’t go rushing to the shop to buy a new bike. This is a personal opinion and as you know this is a very sensitive subject. More important than the frame material is the component choice. The relation between weight and reliability of the components chosen is very important to assemble a good bike capable of riding flawlessly the entire route of BIKE MADRID LISBON yet providing true racing feeling.

Enjoy your rides and get in touch if you need any kind of help.

The weather in Spain and Portugal on those dates is usually mild; nevertheless warm (higher than 25 C) or cold days (lower than 15 C) can occur. Have in mind that this journey passes by mountainous terrain and in very high places, this can make the weather patterns become harsh.

Most probably we will have days of clear skies, however it won’t be much of a surprise if in one or two days we get rain and cold, alternating with showery and cloudy days – it did in some of the previous years. Be prepared!

The journey goes to altitudes up to 2000m in different places, so expect very low temperatures up there and you may need to carry extra clothing as protection for the cold on those particular days.

ATM machines are very abundant in Spain and Portugal. Normally every village has at least one.

Departure from Cascais to Lisbon will be scheduled taking in mind your travel arrangements.

Transportation from Cascais to Lisbon is included in your registration fee. We will provide transportation back to Lisbon airport, to all participants.

If you decide to stay extra days in Cascais or Lisbon just ask for the quote and we will postpone the transfer to Lisbon’s Airport.

We will take care of it for you. We can provide a transportation service to send the hard box to Lisbon. If it is a soft case we will have a van that will carry your bike bag from the Start to the Finish. Please warn us if you are bringing a bike box/bag so we make sure we have enough space for it, or ask us for the transportation rate to Lisbon.

Yes, just give us your travel arrangements and we will provide the transfer to the event hotel in day 0.

Everything you will need during that stage. In the majority of the days the track just passes through tiny villages where you won’t normally find anything to suit your immediate needs, so you should have everything you need with you right from the Start. It is always possible to get water in these villages.

The least possible! We ask each participant to bring the maximum of two luggage pieces per participant; these are the bags the Organization will transport for you during the tour. Please remember we will be carrying a lot of bags each day, not just yours! So please take that in consideration and reduce the total weight as much as possible.

 Total distance: 1.100 km along single tracks, back roads and country roads.

The tailor-made map of the BIKE MADRID LISBON route is made for Garmin units, other GPS units can be accepted but only the.GPX tracks will be provided.

Any client’s image, captured by the monitors or employees at any of our activities, can be used by Organisation, in the illustration of promotional material and advertising companies such as brochures, slides, videos, and the Internet. Photos that clearly identify people are not marketed or made available for other purposes.

Pre-departure Documentation:  After we receive your final payment, you will receive by email a variety of documentation, including suggestions for clothing, preparations, packing, and money.  Also included will be confirmations, travel information, a release form if one has not yet been received, and an outline of what to expect on the tour.  Please read these documents carefully as soon as you receive them and contact us or your travel agent if any information seems to be incorrect.  We cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracy in any document within 10 days of us sending time to you or your travel agent.

Passports and Visas:  You are responsible for ensuring that all necessary travel documents are valid and effective and in your possession for the entire tour. You are responsible for passport requirements, and we suggest you plan early to apply for or renew a passport. You assume complete and full responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements. You are also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from missing or defective documentation.  While we may provide information or advice on visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc. in good faith as a courtesy to you, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions as to the information provided.

The price of the tour includes basic travel insurance mandatory by the Portuguese law: Policies and 095/00934578/000 No. No. 027/00002949/000 the European insurer Liberty Seguros, SA.

This insurance covers:

Liability: 50.000,00 euros;

Personal Accident – Death or Permanent disability: 20.000,00 euros;

Personal Accident – treatment and repatriation expenses – 3500.00 euros;

CN strongly recommends Clients to obtain travel insurance with a minimum medical coverage of 150,000€ while traveling with the CN and this insurance must cover personal injury and emergency medical expenses. It is strongly recommended the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, and all other expenses that might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the Client. CN shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects. Personal belongings lost or stolen while unattended by the client in public lounges or other public areas, whether onboard a vessel, train, bus, or other ways of transportation, publicly owned or operated by CN or elsewhere, are not reimbursable. Losses due to ordinary wear and tear, and other acts of God are not reimbursable. CN cannot accept responsibility for and in no event shall be liable for loss or damage of valuables or other articles left in or on facilities used by CN such as hotels, homestays, vessels, expedition vehicles, or any other mode of transportation. When obtaining travel insurance the Client must ensure the insurer is aware of the type of travel to be undertaken.

We always give priority to the safety of all people involved in its activities, clients, guides or anyone who assists in organizing the activity. The equipment used in the activities of the CN is approved and when the work requires is provided specific personal protective equipment;

In guided activities, CN monitors are trained and beyond guiding the group takes responsibility for making decisions in the field whenever there are unexpected. At least one of the guides is trained in first aid or mechanical cycling. The client of a guided tour should respect the decisions and directions of the guide.

In order to ensure greater safety and quality in carrying out activities, CN reserves the right to change hours, location and structure in case of inadequate weather conditions, or other unpredictable causes make impossible the realization of the program.

You understand that the amenities, lodgings, type of transport, route, schedule, and itinerary may change without prior notice due to local circumstances or events, which may include mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, illness, strikes, political disputes, weather, border crossing problems, and other unforeseeable factors. 

Except for the Edge units, which have but an internal lithium battery, all the other GPSs take a pair of AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries. For these, you should have at least 2 pairs of batteries. You can bring them with you or buy them from the Organizers when you get here. We will have them on sale during the traverse.

We do recommend rechargeable NiMh batteries of at least 2500mA of capacity.

The Organization has special prices for some units from Garmin and all the units will have uploaded with the Topo Map of Spain and Portugal. Ask for a quote.

No, we can rent Garmin Oregon GPS units.

The GPS must have a colored screen, be capable of reading memory cards downloaded with maps and have a minimum recording capability of 10,000 track-log points. A USB interface is also a basic requirement.

Total ascent: + 18.000 m.

No you don’t need to bother with any of that. The organizers will provide each participant with a detailed map of the territory of the journey. Just make sure you have enough memory in the unit. These contain the Spanish and Portuguese detailed maps, topographical maps, the traverse route, and info.

There is nothing simpler. You don’t need to know anything about orienteering, nor do need you to be an expert on GPSs. The only thing you do need to know is that when you look at the screen you are the arrow and the track course is a purple line. As long as you keep the arrow on the line, then you are on course.

We even tested a GPS for a 4-year-old and within a minute he was able to follow the right track.

Using a GPS there is no chance that you will get lost, and the additional information that appears on the screen means you don’t even hesitate when you come to an intersection or crossroads. Your performance on the track will be exactly the same as if you were following course markers, with the added benefit that you are unlikely to ever take a wrong turn, and you will never get lost, unlike when you are following a marked course.

Yes. It is mandatory to use a GPS. The route is not marked, indicated, or signaled on the terrain. The only way you can know the route is from the tailor-made map of the BIKE MADRID LISBON route the organizers will upload onto your GPS.

Yes. We’ll have a small kit of bike parts every day at the end of each stage where you can buy some components/accessories as well as nutrition products. Here is a list of what can be bought locally:

• Chain lube
• Tubes
• Tires
• Patching kits
• Pumps
• CO2 cartridges
• Tire sealant
• Nutrition bars and gels
• Recovery / isotonic drinks
• Nappy cream
• Etc.

We will try to make available, for eventual repairs, the widest variety of bike components.

Nevertheless it will not be possible to ensure that we carry stock of every single part, considering the variety of bikes and different components present in the tour. Having said that, we strongly advise participants to bring some of the more specific components for their own bikes,  such as rear suspension repair kits, rear dropouts, seat post clamps and any “not-so-common” part. We stock a large amount of brake pads, but it’s always a good idea to bring some of your own. Needless to say some of the most important bits should be carried with you during the stages (brake pads, dropouts, etc…), the rest you can leave in your bag. The organization will not carry any bulky bike part, such as wheels or frames that does not normally fit inside the regular bag.

No. The organization have a few bike shops in hold in case there is a major problem with a bike and the mechanic can come to the hotel or the Organizers can drive to the bike shop in order to give support to the bikes. The charges of this service are provided by the bike shops on request.

No and Yes. We will have a set of spares and we can do basic repairs to the bikes each day. We will have most of the common spare parts for bikes like tires, tubes, cables, chains, chain rings, cassettes, wheels, spokes, brake pads, handlebars, headsets, grips, saddles, seat posts (common sizes), disc brake rotors (common sizes and bolt patterns), derailleurs, pedals, front suspension forks and several other minor things.

We will not carry any specific spares for rear suspension bikes, like shock absorbers, bushes, bearings etc.

BIKE MADRID LISBON is an epic Bike Journey through the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula over 1000km, in consecutive stages, several days with a total climbing of more than 2000 mt. It is extremely important that every bike has a comprehensive full service in preparation for the tour.

We strongly recommend:

• New chain / gear set
• New inner and outer cables
• New tires.
• New brake pads
• Service forks / shocks, pedals, bottom bracket, wheels.

For those who bring a full suspension bike either replace or bring a new set of bearings / bushes for the rear triangle and shock. Although obvious for most of you, it’s never too much repeating: Do not make major changes in your bike before the tour, especially if that has any impact with the way you ride and or position on the bike. It’s not the best time to try that new saddle or pair of pedals you read so favorable about, in your favorite Internet bike forum. Nor you should change the stem from 90mm/10º to 100mm/-5º just because it’s more racing. Least but not last, take your bike for a long ride after you picked it up from the bike shop you has it serviced before the tour.

If anything has to fail, let it fail while you still have plenty of time to get it fixed.

The journey has a wide variety of terrain. From old Roman and medieval cobblestone roads to sharp or loose rocks paths alternating with fast rolling hard pack dirt roads and some technical single-tracks, we have it all!

An “all-around” tire (whatever that is) would be the best option although the choice must be made according to each rider’s riding technique and race objectives. Proper tubeless tires with a glycol base self-sealant liquid are a “must have” and are in fact a much better option to the tubeless ready tires with latex based self-sealant. The latter being a much lighter setup is only recommended to light riders who have good riding skills. Just to close this tire issue we must say that maybe 50% of all technical problems occurring in the journey resulting in loss of performance, are tires or tubes related. The other 50% are gear / shifting problems, but we’ll get to that point.