huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 09/06/2015 09:37 PM |
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Anyone done any cycling in either of these places? |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 09/06/2015 11:58 PM |
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| Nope but I am sure it be awesome and a must if you're going there. |
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huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 09/07/2015 01:20 PM |
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| I've found what look to be some great rides out of Granada - but not so sure about Lisbon... |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 09/07/2015 05:38 PM |
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Yeah it sounds Lisbon itself is challenging but there's apparently good riding outside of town:
http://pedalportugal.com/day-rides/lisbon-central/
You can also check out sites like MapMyRide for routes. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 09/07/2015 06:19 PM |
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| Didn't Dave Chirayath (can't remember his forum name) spend a ton of time there back in the Velonews days? He's on FB and checks in here every once in a blue moon. I'll message him to see if he'll pop back to give an insiders view. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 09/07/2015 06:33 PM |
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| Habanero and yes he was in Grenada area. His Spanish buddies may have some scoop in Lisboa too. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 09/07/2015 08:24 PM |
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Thanks OC, I just remembered his name and was logging on to post. Good on 'ya
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huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 09/07/2015 08:49 PM |
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| Yeah - thanks, OC. Been checking out Mapmyride - kind of an indicator of the riding for different areas. |
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 09/08/2015 10:14 AM |
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Hey it's Habanero!!
I lived in Granada for a full year and can tell you it is like nothing else in terms of cycling and I have been around. In addition to the cycling the food is manna from heaven! Every ride includes a mid ride cafe stop and then cervezas with tapas at the end of the ride! Spanish people are some of the friendliest I have ever met and I still stay in touch with my riding buddies and my girls stay in touch with their former classmates.
No idea on what the scene for riding is like in Lisbon but it would have to be out of this world to compete with Granada. Imagine this: you show up for a group ride and there are group rides 7 days a week and there are anywhere from 100-500 cyclists of every level at each ride. You figure out who is going where and how hard you want to go and then GO!! From riding in the Sierra Nevada, which are the tallest mountains in continental Spain, heading down to the Med or going towards the plains and Sevilla, there are countless options. One of the coolest things was riding with so many pros and being able to see so many pro races. I got to see the Vuelta on two days and Ruta del Sol on multiple days as well as countless smaller local races. I rode with Vasil Kiryienka many times, met all of the Saxo Bank and Cofidis teams, rode with the entire Quick Step team once and the Caja Rural and Caja Granada teams on a regular basis.
Here is a link to a giant photo collection from my year riding in and around Granada:
http://tinyurl.com/prtedqb
My long term plan is to get both my girls launched, and then return to Granada for good. It is that good!!
Hit me up if you have any questions: davesbikeshop@gmail.com |
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huckleberry
Posts:824
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| 09/08/2015 12:45 PM |
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Thanks, Dave!
Miss your mug around here.
Thinking of heading over to Spain and Portugal in Spring to see if we might want to move there in the near future.
I'll copy down your email. Bug you with questions ; )
Chris |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 09/08/2015 01:02 PM |
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Hey Hab. welcome back! Good to hear from you. And thanks Dale for doing the work!
Ben |
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 09/08/2015 01:19 PM |
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Chris - I bet you will love Granada. The pace of life, scenery, people and food are first rate. That said my parents who have travelled throughout both Portugol and Spain say that Lisbon is also fantastic. Of course I am biased based on my experiences, but I also remember reviews of Lisbon prior to the 2001 World Championships not being great,
Feel free to fire away with questions and if you want to meet there, maybe I can be your tour guide? :-) You'd also enjoy some hammering rides with the old guys I am sure!!
Ben - good to be back!! |
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stronz
Posts:447
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| 09/08/2015 01:36 PM |
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| Hey Hab! Great to have you back -- reminds me of those old days on the velonews forum. Now we just need Keith to give us a "C'mon son" and we'll be back. I remember seeing those pics of your time over there. Didnt you strike up a friendship with Jacob Fuglsang -- amongst others. I remember lots of pics of some amazing food and drink. Wow -- can understand your plan to go back. |
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 09/08/2015 02:04 PM |
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| I miss the forum!! I am in touch with Keith on Facebook. I loved when he would pay the c'mon son pic to end an argument!!
As for the pros I got to meet and or ride with the list is long, here is who I recall: Fugslang, Iglinsky, Duque, Boonen, Freire, O'Grady, Mouncoutie, Greipel, Valverde, Kiriyenka, and a bunch from the local Continental squads. I still stay in touch with a young guy I befriended on the roads, Miguel Angel Aguilera Segura.
I can't wait to return!!!! |
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Habanero
Posts:257
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| 09/08/2015 02:53 PM |
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| Forgot to mention I am also in touch with Irange Crush!! His recent Haute Route adventure was inspiring to say the least!!!! |
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