Research shows that the enjoyment of a holiday starts as soon as you book. So get those good vibes going right away! Whether it’s in Spring, Summer, Autumn or even next Winter, get a cycling trip in the calendar as early as possible and have something to look forward to.
Plus, having something to look forward to will motivate you with the other New Year resolutions, like getting fitter and eating healthier to ensure your arrive on your cycling holiday feeling fit, heathly and ready for the ride of a lifetime!
In 2024 we are excited to be taking Eat Sleep Cycle international, with our first sold-out trips in Patagonia rolling out in March. We continue to grow our offering in Europe with highlights including – our first two trips running in Portugal, a new gravel ride from Florence to Rome, a fabulous new route in Piemonte, and our first departure in Yorkshire, England, rolling in July. VAMOS!!
Keep an eye on our Tour Finder for all our new releases and your chance to book!
Exploring Patagonia in December
Spend more time with friends
Bike rides are a perfect way to see your friends and also meet new friends. Do more social cafe rides in 2024. Join a local club or sign up to a local event, you won’t regret it!
At our cycling hubs in Girona and Málaga we organize regular events that you can get involved with on your cycling break.
Head over to our Girona Hub page & Málaga Hub page to see our planned rides & events for 2024!
Get your partner (or best friend!) riding more
One way to ride more may be to persuade your nearest and dearest to ride more so you can enjoy outings together. Find out what the barriers to that are and break them down. If it’s road safety try off road, if it’s the cold weather try better clothing. Ride at their pace if you can and focus on enjoyment rather than crunching numbers. We think you’ll enjoy the result!
Go for a spin with your best friend, who knows, they might love it as much as you do!
Get a structured training plan or cycling coach
Any type of cyclist with any objective can benefit from a cycling plan and cycling coach. It’s an extra motivation to ride when perhaps you would skip it and it will for sure have you fitter and smashing those climbs when the warmer months come.
If discomfort on the bike is holding you back from achieveing your goals take the time to work out the root of the problem, it could be that a simple bike fit, some sessions with a Physio or visit to a Chiropractor could leave you feeling stronger than ever! Read Dr Tom’s blog for more insights into how a Chiropractor can enhance your on the bike performance.
Treat yourself to a new bike in the January sale to motivate you to get out
You might have noticed there are some amazing deals to be had on new bikes as the market suffers after the post-covid boom. It’s a great time for customers to support their local bike shop! There are some great sales at the moment as bike shops clear stock. It’s the perfect time to grab a bargain with your Christmas money and perhaps try a new discipline (MTB, gravel or road cycling). There’s nothing like that new bike feeling to inspire rides.
New bike day? Nothing beats that new bike day feeling!
We hope these top tips have been useful for deciding which New Year’s Resolutions you would like to try to cycle more in 2024!
Malaga resides in the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun), and you can certainly see why once here. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, the climate in Malaga is perfect for cycling throughout the year.
Malaga boasts an average temperature of 18°C (64°F) in winter and a comfortable 30°C (86°F) in summer, creating the perfect climate for cycling adventures no matter the season.
Mild winters, warm summers, and little rain ensure you can pedal anytime. It’s December and I can leave for a 5 hour ride with no arm or leg warmers…and still be sweating!
Varied Terrain
While the south of Spain is generally more dry compared to the green and rainy north, it still has a diverse landscape that should satisfy any taste. Explore the rugged beauty of the Montes De Malaga behind Malaga, with its challenging ascents or opt for the gentle undulations along the picturesque coastal roads that stretch east towards Nerja. Or perhaps a more rolling farmland westward towards the towns of Cartama and Alora. You can climb as much as you wish, or roll along. Also, this applies to Dirt and Road. Here is a photo of a mountain bike/gravel route in neighboring city Alhaurin de la torre.
Why I like it: Challenging, Small villages, connect to network of climbs
Scenic Coastal Roads
Looking to spin casually down a beautiful coastline while visiting small Spanish towns? If yes, the N-340 offers a chance to cycle along the flattish coastal route that is referred to as the “Spanish Route 66”, for my American compatriots. It’s actually Spain’s longest road, ~1200km/745mi from North to South Spain, Barcelona to Cadiz, that Malaga sits right in the middle of. It’s a go-to way for me to easily spin, catch some sun and breathe in the Smells of the Sea. I actually just cycled this route more or less about a month ago at time of writing and perhaps will post a blog soon! Many take this way to connect to larger loops.
Cool Little Towns/Villages
Discover the magic of Andalusia’s delightful villages! Picture-perfect locales nestled in the southern autonomy of Malaga, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, and beyond boast those iconic “white building” towns and snug villages. My absolute joy comes from weaving through these interconnected gems, making pit stops for a steaming cup of coffee or savoring a scrumptious bocadillo. Being an American in this culturally vibrant region, these unique towns and their local vibes continually remind me of the richness that surrounds us. Chatting with locals over a coffee or a cheeky Coca-Cola while soaking in breathtaking views is the cherry on top of this adventure!
Cycling Events
There are numerous local amateur and competitive mtb events and road races. In December, a race locally called clasica del pavo that has a history where the winner used to be rewarded a live turkey! It’s also cool to ride the roads that some of the world’s best cyclists come to train/compete on. The Vuelta a Andalucaia and the Vuelta a Espana will often come straight through the area. For example, earlier this year, I rode to Almogia, a neighboring town, to watch the Vuelta a Andalucia come through and tackle a famous 20% climb section. You might not be as calm as Tadej Pogacar, a Tour de France champion, but you can still test yourself (photo below)!
Cultural Richness
Explore the historic center of Malaga, birthplace of Picasso! The regional history is fascinating and many museums and free events/tours are offered. The Picasso Museum and Carmen Thyssen Museum are popular for those that like to delve into something off the bike. Walking around teleports you back in time as you see buildings like the Alcazaba, an old fortification from the 11th century.
Gastronomic Delights
Indulge in Malaga’s famous espetos (grilled sardines), fresh from the sea, or replenish your energy with local favorites like gazpacho or ajo blanco after an invigorating ride. Malaga offers ALL cuisines, not only Spanish. I know somebody is already thinking of the coffee spots, so I will list below… But also, the center and surrounding areas offer many other, like various Asian and Italian! Wander the streets in center and stumble across a Spanish restaurant.
Pedal through the Montes de Málaga Natural Park‘s 40 kilometers of trails, revealing stunning vistas of olive groves, pine forests, and wildlife. Also nearby is popular attraction, El Caminito del Rey, once touted as the world’s most dangerous road! Now is a hike-only but great way to see the area and popular tourist destination.
Cycling Tours and Guides & Cycling-Friendly Culture
Companies like Eat Sleep Cycle offer guided experiences, bike rentals, and custom tours to take cyclists on tailored routes through the region’s best cycling spots. There are a number of groups also that meet on the paseo maritimo and head down the N-340 to make loops into the mountains nearby.
Tip: Eshmun Clinic has a ride leaving from Limonar around 9am most Saturdays!
Experience the warmth of locals as they cheer on cyclists during events or share tips on hidden gems and the best cycling routes over a cup of café con leche. Also, the growing number of shop rides is something that I notice, which is great for inclusivity and something social. Also lot’s of services as well like pro bike fits, physios, massage, etc for cyclists.
Pro Tip: Join Eat Sleep Cycles IG page for weekly updates on their shop social ride every Sunday 9am.
Easy Accessibility
Another thing that I love is Malaga’s ease of travel around city. From Malaga’s international airport, (AGP), flights connect to major European cities and even direct flights to New York (Jersey) in the summer with United! This allows cyclists to bring their bikes and gear hassle-free. A small but clean and nice metro can transport you to city center and around. Bus systems can take you (only packaged bike) to Granada, down the coast, marbella, Nerja, etc. MAny local buses are cheap and very easy to navigate Malaga.
Once you are there, you can:
Train just outside airport doors to the city center (Train to Maria Zambrano/City Center and about 5 euros). Bike OK, but could be crowded
Bus, 4 euros, A1, takes right to city center, Alameda Principal. Will get a strange look but you can take a bike box if there’s room in the middle of the bus! Definitely the cheapest option and if not bust a great fast way.
Uber, depending on time/business, 15-40 EUR. Remember a UBER XL/Van if lot’s of luggage.
Taxi, very easy and quickest way to get to the city center area. Loads of vans too for big bike bags. Beware they have a minimum anywhere in Malaga of around 25 Euros, even if only going a few miles.
Bonus Thought
I’ve been to other bike hotspots like Mallorca, Girona, some riding down near Calpe, etc. While they each are quite special and no doubt tons of great rides/cimbs, none quite can match Malaga’s overall destination package. When it comes to a destination and place to live/explore off the bike, Malaga becomes much more enticing. The food is awesome, the people very welcoming, and the weather is the best year-round. English is easily spoken around the city center and since Malaga is Spain’s sixth largest city, resources, shops and such is much more at your fingertips than small town destinations. Also, the ease of getting around is awesome and you can use many modes to navigate. With a car or bus you can also tackle climbs, trails, and small villages for extra touristy fun. Bottom line: Malaga is gorgeous, fun, and you can cycle and live well while here. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you and feel free to follow me on IG, @theother_jayz for more videos, photos, and routes in Malaga and surrounding areas. Any questions, please let me know, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Black Friday is upon us and soon Christmas shopping. This is a plea to direct your cycling purchases to your local bike shop, trust me when I say they really need it.
It has been a terrible year for bicycle retail. It’s not just the online giants like Wiggle and Chain Reaction (speaking of the UK market) being affected, the equipment manufacturers like Shimano or not even the bike manufacturers, your local bike shop has also felt the squeeze more than any of them.
Really tight bike margins squeezed even further
Margins have always been tight in cycling retail. Nobody is selling with large multipliers like in fast fashion retail. A bike shop, before the crunch, was lucky to make a 30% margin on a bike before paying taxes.
With the oversupply in the market (manufacturers making too many bikes) and heavy discounting by online retailers (retailers ordering too many bikes then needing to clear stock), a bike shop these days is likely to make a 10-15% margin on a bike sale. That is only €100 per €1,000 of bike (before taxes). Many bikes need to be sold everyday to pay for rent, staff, utilities and more.
Here lies the second problem, demand for bikes is down an unbelievable amount since the COVID boom of 2021 and 2022. It’s actually incredible the difference experienced at a shop level in just 1-2 years.
Why is it acceptable to ask for more and more discounts in bike shops?
It would be a strange concept asking for a discount at all in the supermarket, a fashion store or generally most retail establishments. Yet in a bike shop it is accepted and regularly abused – why is that?
I´ve asked some customers and the general feedback was that perhaps it’s because the margins are high enough for discounts, which goes completely against the reality!
The problem has been exacerbated this year with heavy online discount prices being the starting point for bargaining by customers.
Bike shops can not hold stock anymore
If it was ok to hold bike stock the last few years due to high rotation, it is not at all ok now. Due to the low margins and slow rotation bike shops need to run a low stock and depend on distributors to carry extra size, colour and groupset variants.
Customers still want a bike quickly, even more so now that there is a lot available online, so it´s important to have a great relationship with suppliers. Many of the big brands are still expecting large bike implantations for 2024 to maintain a healthy margin.
It’s not all doom and gloom!
It is important to accept the current shortfalls in the new bike market, however Eat Sleep Cycle has seen an impressive growth in cycling kit and accessories in 2023 compared to 2022. We believe that the new cyclists that purchased bikes in 2021 and 2022 are out riding their bikes and want to style up and accessorize.
In this world where every pedal stroke counts, chiropractic care emerges as a key ally. This week, we had an insightful conversation with Dr Tom, a dedicated chiropractor from the U.K., to explore how this practice can help not only maximise power, endurance, and agility on the bike but ultimately transform people’s lives.
Q&A
Q: Tom, could you share your journey into chiropractic care?
A: “Certainly. My path into chiropractic began from a place of personal healing. When I was a child I was deaf and had a lot of trouble with ear infections. I had a lot of back pain, and headaches from playing ice hockey.
I was also under a lot of stress, busy from travelling with hockey and touring playing classical guitar and trombone. This took its toll on me emotionally and physically. I was taking pain killers to deal with it which caused a lot of chemical stress.
I got to a point where my body couldn’t take anymore and I ended up getting sick. I was in bed and off school for over a month with a bad fever and a serious chest, throat and ear infection. This happened partway through a music tour.
I had to stop everything. No amount of doctors could give me a diagnosis. Instead they gave me antibiotics which caused jaundice and raised liver function. Nothing was working. Then my mum took me to Chiropractor. That’s when everything changed.
Chiropractic helped me heal. It helped me a lot with my back pain and headaches, it helped me recover my energy again, it helped my body heal my eczema, it really helped me mentally and emotionally as well which was surprising to me at the time, it also healed the damage to my ears.
I went to get a hearing test later on and for the first time in my life I actually passed it with normal average hearing! The only thing I’d changed in my life at that point was to go to the chiropractor. I was blown away!
Not only that but having helped my body heal, it then helped me play ice and roller hockey even better. It helped me on so many levels, especially with my sleep quality and energy.
Even my coordination and ability to dangle the puck seemed to improve. Everything was more fun. And I decided that I wanted to become a chiropractor and share it with other people.
Q: Where did you study?
A: I really wanted to study Chiropractic in Barcelona so sold my car in London, packed a rucksack and off I went and have stayed ever since. That was in 2011, and I studied 5 years at the private college, Barcelona College of Chiropractic.
I’m not sure people understand how much we study… It’s similar to medicine in terms of subjects, just without pharmacology and a lot more neurology. I studied through hundreds of hours of training in all the -ologies and learning how to effectively care for all types of people of all ages.
At the age of 23, I earned my Chiropractic degree from the Barcelona College of Chiropractic, and my Master’s degree from Universidad Pompeu Fabra (UPF). I achieved the title Doctor of Chiropractic by the European Academy of Chiropractic in 2020.
Before graduating, I was chosen to be a staff member for one of the highest level chiropractic training programs in the world – MLS (Mastery Love Service).
I also served on the faculty of the Barcelona College of Chiropractic (BCC) for a number of years as an Advanced Technique Instructor.
Q: So do you think it’s in your heart and soul for the rest of your life?
Yes, I felt like Chiropractic chose me. It’s a cool job but I must also stress that the art of Chiropractic is a very serious one. Adjusting people’s spine and removing nervous interferences allows them to express life better, at their fullest potential.
Q: So what happens when you adjust someone’s spine?
A: When the bones of the spine become misaligned it causes interference in the persons nervous system (we call it a vertebral subluxation) and it reduces the mental impulse. In turn this reduces electro-chemical impulses, energy and information through the nervous system.
So wherever those nerves go that part of the body is now going to be functioning sub-optimally. An important thing to note is that we can have vertebral subluxations without the presence of pain or obvious symptoms. That is the importance of a proper chiropractic evaluation.
When the nervous system is cleared out with regular adjustments, the brain and body will have more connection and function better and this in turn can literally affect how the brain functions, how it sends signals, how the cells, organs, and tissues of the body function, everything.
Adjusting vertebral subluxations regularly can change everything for a person just like it did for me.
I’ve had women who couldn’t get pregnant, who were exhausted from medical visits, finally end up able to have children because of getting adjusted.
People who were diagnosed with cysts in their intestines, or growths on their stomach who were scheduled for surgery and never having to get it because their bodies healed, shocking the doctors. Same with people who were scheduled to have spine surgery and not needing it.
Children with ADHD and tics that went away or reduced significantly when getting adjusted. Children who were only able to poop once or twice a week, who by getting adjusted could start going regularly every day without any issues… The list goes on and on.
We want perfect motion in the spine and nervous system. Motion is life. It’s like playing a guitar. If one string is too tight or too loose. Then the entire melody becomes out of tune. Everything has to be tuned just right. Chiropractic tunes your nervous system so that you can express more of your essence and your music.
We don’t really know how chiropractic will benefit your life. But it will. 100%. The thing with chiropractic is that not only can it help with health problems, but as I said before it can really help optimise your body’s function so that if you are doing any sort of mentally or physically challenging activities you can perform at your absolute best! Even if that’s something like being the best mother or father possible for your kids.
Q: Do you still get adjusted, Tom?
A: Yup. Every week I get my tune up. I don’t want to live life sub-optimally in any aspect. It’s what helped me through the toughest moments of my life. And helped me succeed in areas I never thought I would be able to. Why would I stop?
Q: So moving onto cycling, what physical challenges in cycling can chiropractic care address?
A: Well as I’m sure people who cycle are aware haha cyclists have to maintain quite a rigid posture on the bike, and if racing or doing tours, that can be across a number of hours or days. This would be an example of the physical stress that cyclists have to endure constantly.
Physical stress is one of the stressors that provokes vertebral subluxations. Then there’s the emotional and chemical stressors that can come from racing extended periods, from dehydration, or from the excessive chemical buildup in the body of cortisol or adrenaline.
So that spinal posture, excessive extension of the neck, rounding of the mid-spine, and loss of curve in the lumbar spine could certainly lead to issues that chiropractic can help. It can help correct the forward head posture that is common in cyclists and people in general.
It will help bring back proper extension of the thoracic spine which is excessively flexed in cycling. Removing interferences in the thoracic spine helps the body to cleanse better as the nerves here go to the organs that help the cleansing of the body.
And a big thing I see with cyclists is the loss of the extension on the lumbar curve. This puts pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that go to the gluteal muscles and the leg muscles. Most cyclists have weak glutes because 1) they are isolated on the bike and 2) they have interference in the lower lumbar and sacral nerves.
When we correct the vertebral subluxations in the lumbar spine and sacrum, the strength and innervation to all the muscles of the legs improve. It’s one of the things I specifically test on cyclists.
Chiropractic can also help with:
Enhancing Joint Mobility: Regular chiropractic care can dramatically improve your joint mobility, leading to smoother, more fluid motion on the bike, and greater comfort.
Improving neuro-spinal health: Chiropractic care removes interferences in your nervous system, enhancing communication between your brain and body, leading to improved coordination and precision, all vital aspects of your ride.
Injury Management and Prevention: It helps manage existing injuries – and prevent future ones, keeping you active and engaged in your ride.
Rectifies Postural Imbalances: Correcting postural imbalances is at the heart of chiropractic care, directly influencing your body’s mechanics, your power, and endurance on the bike.
Optimised Biomechanics: By addressing spinal misalignments and muscular imbalances, chiropractic care optimises your body’s biomechanics, unlocking your full potential as a cyclist.
Correcting Forward Head Posture (FHP): Every inch your head moves forward, it increases the weight of the head on your spine by approximately 4kg. This places undue stress on your spinal cord and blood vessels – compromising blood flow to the brain and affects efficient brain-body communication.
Studies show that athletes with a greater FHP face significant decreases in performance, agility, and balance. Adjusting the spine and removing nervous interference with chiropractic care rapidly improves this.
Improved Cognitive Functions: Enhanced neuro-spinal function leads to increased cerebral blood flow, sharpens mental impulses, and fosters greater neuroplasticity, honing your mental acuity and cognitive functions.
Restored Hormonal Balance: Chiropractic care helps ensure balanced hormone production, restoring your body’s overall equilibrium and improving your mood, energy levels, and general well-being.
Quality Sleep: Improved spinal health can lead to better sleep quality, a crucial component of recovery and maintaining peak performance.
Q: How can regular chiropractic care enhance a cyclist’s performance?
A: Well.. we are only alive and functioning because our body’s intelligence is using our nervous system to send signals to every cell, tissue, and organ so that they do their job correctly. This is happening every second of every day. Even at night. Why do I have to get up to pee? Because my brain is making my kidneys clean toxins out of my blood. The body’s intelligence is always active and working for our benefit.
Regular chiropractic care just helps every process of your body work better. This includes cell growth, healing, reproduction, respiration, excretion, movement, metabolism, digestion, cellular nutrition, sensitivity, responsiveness to stimuli, homeostasis, immune function etc.
Why? Because it removes the interference that is interfering with the innate intelligence of your body. It’s simple really.
Q: Can chiropractic adjustments help in preventing cycling-related injuries?
A: Absolutely. Regular adjustments not only improve musculoskeletal function but also reduce the risk of common cycling injuries like lower back pain and muscle strains. This preventive aspect is crucial for cyclists to maintain their form and endurance over time. If we keep your nervous system and body in tip top shape you’re definitely not going to get injured as much.
Even playing ice hockey, getting hit super hard into the boards, chiropractic helped my body adapt better, and helped me prevent plenty of injuries as my body was more flexible and resilient. It still hurt though haha comes with the territory and I love it.
Q: From your experience, how does chiropractic care improve a cyclist’s overall health?
A: Chiropractic care goes way beyond addressing specific pain points. It’s about enhancing the body’s natural healing process and energy flow. This holistic approach can significantly improve a cyclist’s overall well-being, energy levels, and even mental clarity.
Q: What advice would you offer to cyclists considering chiropractic care for the first time?
A: Start with an open mind. A good chiropractor will tailor the care to your specific needs as a cyclist, finding exactly where the nerve interference is and doing a specific chiropractic adjustment to remove the interference and providing you with the necessary education to help you understand what’s going on. None of this let’s just crack everything and make it make a noise crap like you see on YouTube. Chiropractic is specific or it’s nothing.
Q: Do I have to be an athlete to get care with you at AthleteChiroTM?
A: Nope. I am willing to help anyone who is willing to be helped. And it’s my pleasure to do so!
Conclusion:
The journey with Dr. Tom, a passionate and experienced chiropractor, illuminates a path where chiropractic care is not just a treatment but a transformative experience. For cyclists, this care extends beyond mere physical adjustments; it’s about harmonizing the body’s innate intelligence with its physical capabilities. The intricate relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall bodily functions underscores the profound impact chiropractic care can have on a cyclist’s performance, resilience, and health.
Cycling, demanding as it is, finds a strong ally in chiropractic. Whether it’s enhancing joint mobility, improving neuro-spinal health, managing injuries, rectifying postural imbalances, or optimising biomechanics, the benefits are multifaceted. This holistic approach not only addresses immediate concerns like pain or discomfort but also delves into enhancing cognitive functions, restoring hormonal balance, and improving sleep quality – all crucial elements for a cyclist’s comprehensive well-being.
Dr. Tom’s personal and professional journey exemplifies the profound impact of chiropractic care. From overcoming his own health challenges to helping others realise their potential, his story is a testament to the transformative power of this practice.
For cyclists contemplating chiropractic care, the message is clear: approach with an open mind, find a chiropractor attuned to your specific needs, and prepare to experience a significant uplift in your cycling performance and overall quality of life. As Dr. Tom aptly puts it, chiropractic care is about tuning your body’s natural symphony, allowing you to express the fullest potential of your physical and mental prowess.
In the end, whether you’re cycling for leisure, competition, or as a lifestyle, incorporating chiropractic care can be a game-changer, opening doors to new levels of performance, health, and enjoyment in the journey on two wheels.
If you are living in Girona or Barcelona and would be interested in receiving care with Thomas you can contact him directly at +34653775692.
He has his practice in Sarria, Barcelona and also works out of Eat Sleep Cycle Girona 2 days a week with the goal to move to Girona by the end of January. The more people he can help in Girona, the quicker he will move!
We will restructure this business stream in 2024 to reflect the recovery of bike sales over the next 2-3 years.
To counteract that, all those new cyclists have been looking for experiences and we have seen strong growth in both our tours and bike hire businesses. These business streams are our focus for growth in 2024.
Our strengthening brand has allowed us to expand our own Eat Sleep Cycle product line in 2023. We will continue to invest in our own product line in 2024.
The inevitable burst of the retail bubble with an upside
Eat Sleep Cycle benefited greatly from the cycling retail growth fueled by COVID. Our retail business grew exponentially, we took on new bike brands, gained local customers and developed an online shop. In 2023 all that ended quite dramatically with a sharp decrease in new bike demand. Overstocking by manufacturers has resulted in heavy discounting and reduced margin on new bike sales too.
On the plus side, retail sales of kit, merchandise and other accessories were up significantly in 2024, a really positive signal for our future retail business model. The opening of our dedicated Girona apparel store and Málaga hub are the ingredients for this success. Having physical points of sale (while large online retailers suffer) has been an advantage to add value for customers in 2023.
Overall, our retail tickets and items per ticket are up significantly in 2023 compared to 2022.
In 2024 we will focus more on high rotation items like kit and accessories and less on new bike sales. We will have stronger collaborations with less bike brands.
Bike hire domination
Now in our eighth year of delivering bike hire in Girona, this experience, knowledge and dedication to service shone through in 2023. With a dedicated bike hire center and brand new bike fleet (not just bikes, helmets and accessories too), 2023 was our best year yet. Girona continues to grow in popularity compared to destinations like Mallorca.
The addition of our Málaga Hub and offering bike hire in Andalucía has strengthened our Winter operation and greatly supported the growth of this business stream.
Tours well and truly back as our focus
Eat Sleep Cycle was founded as a cycling tours business, if COVID helped us launch a retail business (while travel was as good as banned), 2023 has been the year we are well and truly back to our origins. We have seen a full recovery from pre-covid tour numbers.
In 2023 we have invested in developing new trips and established a great team at our new Headquarters. We ran our first departures in Tuscany and have seen strong growth in tours in Andalucía. We have made some successful collaborations, for example with the Badlands ultra event.
In 2024 we will run our first trips in Portugal, Patagonia, Uganda and Sicily, it’s set to be a huge year!
Community was a key focus
In 2023 we’ve run hundreds of social rides, events and gatherings. Many of them in collaboration with our partner brands. As well as in Girona we’ve run weekly events in Malaga. We’ve been determined to not let the downturn in the cycling retail sector impact our support of the local community. Celebrating our 7th Anniversary in Girona & 1st Anniversary in Málaga, we saw a strong turnout from the community. This will continue to be a main priority in 2024.
Our own product, our own brand
Our in-house designer, Raúl, launched several new Eat Sleep Cycle kit collections in 2023, these collections have been really popular in our cycling hubs (with local and foreign customers alike) and we’d like to expand this activity to online sales in 2024. Because it’s our own product that nobody else sells there is no price war. We make the product locally with local materials and we make to order to avoid overstocking and waste.
Conclusion – A stabilising year
Following the exponential grown of the retail business during COVID, 2023 has been a stabilising year, with the shrinkage in that business being made up by the growth in our tours and bike hire businesses. Once again we have proven that our diversity makes us stronger.
The Eat Sleep Cycle brand and identity grows from strength to strength and now in our 8th year our experience and knowledge is coming through in the quality of delivery.
2024 will see significant tour business growth, restructure in the retail business and more focus on our own brand. Let’s get the wheels rolling!
We’ve curated a selection of gift options to suit all tastes, disciplines and wallets, including stocking fillers, exclusive vouchers and lux gear for men and women. Let’s dive in!
2023 STOCKING FILLERS
Good things come in small packages, which is certainly the case for these nifty Eat Sleep Cycle stocking fillers. Take a look at these gifts for under €35.
Eat Sleep Cycle water bottle, from €7.50
Always an appreciated gift, a new water bottle can be a real treat for any cyclist, veteran or beginner. Choose from a range of designs, including the new espetodesign in honour of our Málaga Cycling Hub. Shop water bottles.
Eat Sleep Cycle Cap, from €32
A fail-safe gift for all those rest-day strolls in the winter sun, the Eat Sleep Cycle cap. Shop the cap in black, in olive green and denim blue.
Málaga Espeto BidonEat Sleep Cycle Cap – BlackBike Cap – SandGirona Cap – Blue
23.9Maap Evade Musette, from €17
Featuring the iconic Evade logo, this Maap Musette is perfect for both ride and rest days. With space for your valuables, snacks and even a book, this is an ideal off-bike accessory for lovers of the Maap brand. Shop the Musettle.
Velopac Ridepac Lite Mini, from €23.95
This waterproof pouch is designed to fit most cycle jersey or jacket pockets, ideal for keeping valuables safe while riding, with a secure-zip interior pocket for coins and keys, slots for credit cards or a race licence, and a separate phone compartment to avoid scratching the screen. Shop the Velopac ridepac.
Maap Evade Musette-Dark PlumVelopac Ridepac Lite Mini
SPECIAL TREATS FOR THAT LUCKY RIDER
If you’re happy to spend a bit more this Christmas, have a look at the following gift suggestions for under €100.
Eat Sleep Cycle Handlebar bags, from €56
Made in Girona from partially recycled materials, our Eat Sleep Cycle waterproof handlebar bag is the perfect size to carry your essentials on a long ride. Shop the Eat Sleep Cycle handlebar bag.
Eat Sleep Cycle Flors Gravel T-Shirt, from €65
These exclusive Eat Sleep Cycle designs are Inspired by “Girona Temps de Flors”, an annual event in Girona where the city is covered in floral exhibitions. A cyclist’s homage to the city we call home, shop the gravel t-shirt.
Eat Sleep Cycle Handlebar Bag BlackFlors Gravel T-Shirt
Lezyne Sport Floor Drive Pump, €49.99
Fulfilling the requirements of both form and function, the Lezyne Sport Floor Drive Pump is an elegant gift that meets a very specific need. Its durable, painted finish with varnished wood handle makes it as beautiful as it is useful, with ABS1 Pro or Dual Valve equipped options. Shop the Lezyne Floor Drive Pump.
Eat Sleep Cycle Peak Base Layer, from €35
An essential piece of kit for winter riding, the base layer. This unique Eat Sleep Cycle design features the classic climbs of Girona! If you, or the cyclist in question, have conquered even one of these peaks, treat yourself or them to some fab new kit. Shop men’s. Shop women’s.
Lezyne Sport Floor Drive PumpEat Sleep Cycle Base Layer Peaks Men
Q36.5 Woolf Leg Warmers, €44.49
Not the most romantic of gifts, but certainly one of the most practical, these Q36.5 Leg Warmers are ideal for the autumn, winter (depending on where you’re riding!) and spring months. Made from a mix of super-fine polyamide threads and Merino wool, they offers thermoregulation throughout the ride. Shop the Q36.5 Leg Warmers.
Eat Sleep Cycle Lux Jersey, from €85
Designed, printed and assembled by hand in Girona, this lightweight, short-sleeved jersey is a great staple piece of kit. A cyclist can never have too many jerseys! Available in bone and pink monotones, as well as multi-tone designs inspired by Málaga and Olot. Shop the Eat Sleep Cycle Lux Jersey in Olot red.
Q36.5 Woolf Leg WarmerEat Sleep Cycle Lux Jersey Olot Red Women
Eat Sleep Cycle Shop Gift Voucher
If you know the receiver loves cycling, bikes and gear, we offer gift vouchers from between €10 and €500 that can be used on any products from any brands and has no expiry date. Shop the Eat Sleep Cycle shop gift voucher (valid for our Girona and Málaga hubs).
THE ULTIMATE GIFTS FOR VERY LUCKY CYCLISTS
If you really want to treat that special cyclist in your life, we’ve prepared a selection of premium gift options for under €500.
Eat Sleep Cycle Bike Hire Gift Voucher, from €10-€500
Give the gift of cycling itself with this Bike Hire gift voucher. Treat your loved one to a bike rental experience in Girona or Málaga with Eat Sleep Cycle. The voucher has no expiration date. Shop the Bike Hire voucher here.
Garmin Edge 830 GPS Cycling Computer, from €399.99
Gifting the freedom to explore, to roam and unlock new riding routes whether on road, gravel or mountain. The Edge 830 cycling computer with colour touchscreen offers dynamic performance monitoring and insights to help riders improve their stats with confidence. Shop the Garmin Edge 830.
Eat Sleep Cycle Gravel Bib Short Multicolor Men, €120
An exclusive Eat Sleep Cycle design constructed from high-quality off-cuts of material. This colourful cycling bib is made from lightweight and breathable fabric, featuring roomy pockets on both sides for storing valuables and ride fuel, as well as reflective elements to keep riders safe in low light conditions. Shop men’s. Shop women’s.
Garmin Edge 830 Gps Cycling ComputerEat Sleep Cycle Gravel Bib Short Multicolor Men
Tan Line Finest Long Sleeve Jersey Brick Red, €120
Ideal for the cooler months of the year, this long sleeve jersey from Spanish cycling apparel brand Tan Line is made of a single piece of comfortable, adaptable and soft fabric with a secret pocket on the back for valuable and ride fuel. Shop the Tan Line long sleeve jersey.
Maap Evade Pro Base Ls Jersey 2.0, €200
Another essential for winter riding, the Maap Evade Pro Base Ls Jersey 2.0 is the new and improved version of this premium piece of kit. The primary body is 70% recycled knitted Italian fabric with a soft skin feel, paired with a honeycomb mesh long sleeve to offer all-day comfort and performance. Shop men’s. Shop women’s.
Tan Line Finest Long Sleeve Jersey Brick RedMaap Women’s Evade Pro Base Ls Jersey 2.0 Dew
GIVE THE GIFT OF ADVENTURE THIS CHRISTMAS
Eat Sleep Cycle Tour Gift Voucher, €100-€5,000
Treat your loved one to the experience of a life-time with this Eat Sleep Cycle Tour gift voucher. We have tours set up in 10 countries around the world including Argentina, Morocco and Uganda. Take a look here for more information about our award-winning cycling tours, including transfers, bike hire and our superb guides. Shop the Tour gift voucher here.
The gift of gravel
Gravel cycling is the newest ‘trend’ to hit the world of cycling in recent years. The perfect balance between road and mountain, gravel gives riders the wheels to conquer both tarmac and trails and head off-piste to explore unpaved tracks and rugged terrain. Our selection of gravel bikes includes top brands such as Canonndale, Basso and Ridley, with many superb options for under €3,000. Browse our selection of gravel bikes here.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE 2023 SEASON
If you like what you see but need more information about our products, bikes or tours, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team via the website, or by calling +34 972 754 301 (if you’re calling from the US or Canada, head to the webpage cited above for alternative phone numbers).
In a normal year one would expect to be training from November to March and racing from March to late September; it’s a long gruelling season with early starts, late finishes, lots of travelling and thousands of kilometres in the saddle. Naturally this takes its toll on the body. After months of pushing physiological limits, riders often see a plateau or decline in form as the season reaches its close, illnesses and injuries become more frequent and the body is left feeling generally tired and empty. When this happens, listening to the body is absolutely essential; it’s time for “off season”.
But, it’s not only the body that needs a rest at the end of a long year, importantly, riders must give themselves a break mentally. Cycling at a high standard demands unyielding determination, resilience and perseverance. Whether staring at power numbers for months on end in training, willing yourself to do one last hill rep, riding long hours in miserable winter conditions or overcoming setbacks in races, the mind will at times also be pushed close to its limits and will therefore need a rest at the end of the year.
What should “off season” look like?
I don’t think there’s a precise one fits all plan that can be prescribed, it really depends on an individual’s physiology and temperament, but, i’ll endeavour to outline below what I suggest to those whom I coach.
First and foremost, three weeks off the bike, any bike…After a year of pushing both mind and body day in day out, an athlete should feel absolutely no guilt in giving themselves three weeks completely away from the bike. I encourage my clients to go and enjoy themselves in other ways; enjoy the food an athlete usually wants but avoids, meet with friends, have a few drinks, go on holiday if possible, go for some very steady jogs, go climbing, surfing or hiking etc. The only rule is, don’t ride a bike! After 3 weeks, if feeling energised and motivated, it’s time to crack on. If not, take some more time off until you are ready, but stay active in this period.
The new season
The start of the new season should be gradual, a progressive reprogramming of mind and body. Don’t dive in with a huge endurance block or immediately start trying to lose weight, this will lead to burnout. Start with a week or two of 60-90 minute easy spins and a couple of rest days, mix it up with some MTB or gravel rides if this is an option. Ride on feel or heart rate as your FTP will of course have shifted. Eat well on these rides, enjoy some whole foods while you can [peanut butter and jam wraps, homemade flapjacks and rice cakes are personal favourites] as there will be plenty of more intense sessions later in the year where this is not as easy to stomach. Include some short leg speed drills in these early rides but keep the power controlled. Importantly, don’t expect the body to absorb training load like it was during the season, take rest on demand, listen to your body and don’t be afraid to change the plan.
After this phase, an athlete should be physically and mentally ready to start some more structured training. Again, this training is gradual and controlled, nudging CTL up throughout the winter while monitoring fatigue closely and getting plenty of rest.
Eating in off season and early season
A final note on eating in off season and early season; I felt this deserved its own paragraph given how many athletes seem to have a turbulent relationship with food.
If a rider has been at or close to race weight throughout the summer, it’s so important they forget about calories over off season. In order for the body to recover from a long season, particularly for chemical and hormonal levels to recalibrate, a calorie surplus is essential. Forget about the scales, the weight will come off again gradually throughout the year. For this time, enjoy eating, if hungry, listen to the body. Thinking you can get one up on the competition by restricting calories and training hard while you should be resting and eating well will only leave you feeling exhausted when race season finally comes around.
If you’d like to chat to any of our coaches, please feel free to book a Free consultation here.
Our biggest reward is seeing our guests having the best time on their cycling holidays, smashing records on new climbs and getting intimate with the landscapes we know and love.
It’s precisely for that reason that we update our bike rental fleet each year. Our hubs in Girona and Málaga will consider all your requirements to offer you the bike you need. Let’s dive into what you could be riding in 2024.
HIT THE ROAD ON PREMIUM MODELS FOR THE BEST CYCLING HOLIDAY MEMORIES
The beauty of renting is getting to try something new, something that will add a layer of luxury to your cycling holiday and provide the best riding experience. We’ve brought some real treats onto the table for the 2024 season, including models from the likes of Basso, Cannondale, Ridley and Wilier.
If speed and agility are what you’re looking for, the Wilier Filante SLR* (available with Shimano Ultegra di2) offers a top-of-the-range, lightweight, aerodynamic frame with an improved stiffness-to-weight ratio and integrated cabling on the handlebars. This bike is a real beauty that mirrors the design and technology used to craft the Wilier 0 SLR.
Another legendary name among the Eat Sleep Cycle fleet is Basso. The Basso Venta (available with Shimano 105) celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023, proving this model to be one of the most successful in the brand’s history. With a hand-crafted frame and internal cable routing, the Venta combines form and function to deliver an aesthetically-pleasing and performance-driven model.
If you want to try something exceptional for exploring the roads surrounding Girona and Málaga, one sure-fire option is the ultimate racing machine, the Cannondale SuperSix EVO (disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra di2 gear shifting). This model was born for the road and is the ideal bike for speedy spins on both flats and mountain climbs. Enjoy the smooth transitions of the Ultegra di2 electronic shifting and the lightweight, streamlined carbon frame. Road riding just got a whole lot more fun with this one!
Basso Venta
Cannondale SuperSix EVO
Wilier Filante SLR
WE’VE GOT YOUR 2024 GRAVEL ADVENTURES COVERED IN GIRONA AND MÁLAGA
Gravel riding, the not-so-new kid on the block, is an immensely popular option for riders of all disciplines, given its hybrid nature. Eat Sleep Cycle has brought in some superb gravel models from Basso, Cannondale, Ridley, Wilier and Giant to help you make the most of your cycling adventures when in town. Here are some of our highlights.
If you plan to head off-piste, the Cannondale Topstone1 offers reliable traction, beautiful handling and superior comfort. This sleek model was built for accompanying you along the routes less travelled and out into the elements. Its lightweight, durable SmartForm C2 Alloy Frame with a full carbon fork is ideal for comfortably switching between tarmac and uneven terrain as you explore to your heart’s content.
Another option is the Basso Palta GRX. Adventure meets performance in this model, which offers a versatile geometry for precise handling and an efficient riding position. It has been designed to enhance the gravel experience in the “Palta” way, with a design that favours speed as well as comfort.
Next up it’s Wilier’s Adler SLR. This stunning design pairs gravel capabilities with bikepacking potential. It’s made for adventurers and two-wheeled travellers with a carbon frame that can take an additional load of 35 kg, ideal for off-piste weekend escapes. Its carefully studied geometry is based on that of a mountain bike and permits confident handling on tarmac and trails. This bike is designed to accompany you on gravel adventures and offers a truly game-changing experience.
Basso Palta GRX
Cannondale Topstone 1
Wilier’s Adler SLR
RIP UP THE MOUNTAINS ON THESE MTB MACHINES
Our Cycling Hubs in Girona and Málaga are surrounded by incredible mountainscapes that merit some serious exploration. With decades of experience in bike manufacturing, we wholeheartedly trust Cannondale to deliver the ultimate trail adventure when you rent a bike through Eat Sleep Cycle. Let’s dive in…
The Cannondale Scalpel SE is a lightening-fast XC model designed to provide superior suspension, control, and grip wherever your ride takes you. This bike offers next-level performance across all types of terrain thanks to its lightweight, durable and flexible design and the RockShox SID Select+ fork.
Next up we have the Cannondale Trail. This rugged and hardy design is best suited for low-impact trails and gravel routes. In our opinion, the Trail is an excellent option for gravel or MTB riders who are starting to dip their toes into the world of trail riding. It offers superb handling thanks to its lightweight and modern frame, ensuring you ride with confidence and have a lot of fun while doing so.
Cannondale Scalpel SE
Cannondale Trail
ENJOY AN EXTRA BOOST WITH OUR PREMIUM SELECTION OF E-BIKES
Riders looking for a touch of extra support on the climbs can also choose from our selection of e-bikes. Ride further, faster and more fluidly on Cannondale’s Monterra Neo with dual-suspension and the latest drive systems from Bosch and Shimano, offering outstanding power and range.
The Revolt E+ from Giant is a great option for riders looking to explore Málaga’s mixed and gravel trails. This lightweight , sleek and versatile bike delivers long-distance riding power (potentially up to 160 km), which can be (de)activated simply by pressing the RideControl on/off button on the top tube.
Wilier Filante Hybrid Road E-Bike* is our top of the range road e-bike. Designed with a very specific goal: to help you go faster and minimize fatigue. The performance of the Filante Hybrid has been raised even further, creating a unique bicycle.
Alternatively, for those days pedalling calmly through the city and enjoying the sights, we have the Cannondale Adventure Neo 3.1 EQ, a perfect option for laid back riding. This bike is available at both our Girona and MálagaCycling Hubs.
Cannondale Monterra Neo
Revolt E+
Wilier Filante Hybrid Road E-Bike
WANT TO BOOK A BIKE OR FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR BIKE HIRE DESTINATIONS?
With iconic climbs just minutes from the city centre, and long stretches of national road that cling to the azure Mediterranean shores, unperturbed by the sinuating tos and fros of the coastline, Malaga has everything that you may want for your next cycling trip.
This growing Andalucian hub of art, culture and good vibes is fast becoming a haven for road cyclists looking for somewhere to ride under the Mediterranean sun.
With an international airport just 20 minutes away and a train station offering connections to most major cities in Spain, Málaga is the new favourite destination among road cyclists across Europe and beyond.
Málaga Road Cycling Routes
The Málaga region boasts a wealth of cycling routes for riders of all ages and abilities.
El Puerto de Léon
One of Málaga’s most frequented local climbs is El Puerto del León (part of our Classic Climbs of Málaga cycling tour). The climb begins just ten minutes north of the city centre, and at 16 km in length and with an average gradient of 5.5%, it presents the ideal warm-up climb before heading out into the heart of the region or along the coast. This climb offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the impressive mountains behind the city.
Also known locally as “La Reina” (the Queen), there are two routes to the top. The first takes you through the Montes de MálagaNatural Park. The wide, asphalted road, in very good condition, winds its way up the mountain surrounded almost continuously by pine trees before descending down the other side with some tight twists and turns, bringing you out on the coast just to the east of Málaga.
The second route is simply this first route in reverse. It offers a slightly tougher climb that gains elevation quickly given the steeper gradients, but saves the best ‘til last with a dreamy descent down the wide pine-flanked road, with open curves and stunning views over the nearby countryside carpeted in hills and small mountains.
If you feel the call to explore slightly further afield, Málaga’s surrounding towns and villages (and everything in between) also have plenty to offer in the way of bike-worthy roads.
The El Torcal loop
One spectacular Málaga road cycling route that heads inland, northbound and away from the coast, is the El Torcal loop. The El Torcal Natural Park is located around 50 km from Málaga city centre. It is home to a unique natural phenomenon in the form of millennia-year-old rock formations that at one point formed part of the sea bed. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.
Topping out at around 100 km and 2,000 m in elevation, this demanding but incredibly rewarding ride will take you up to the entrance to the Park, passing through a primarily agricultural landscape and offering views as far as the eye can see across the surrounding rolling countryside. The Park marks the midway point, with a visitor centre and café to fuel up before setting off for the return journey, which sweeps back down towards Málaga along a slightly different route.
The El Chorro loop
Another stunning ride that starts and ends in the centre of Málaga is the El Chorro loop. Known primarily as the home of El Caminito del Rey (translated as “The King’s Pathway”, a narrow wooden walkway that clings to the sheer cliffs and rock faces of the El Chorro Gorge), it is also a haven for rock climbers, hikers and cyclists.
At around 138 km from start to finish, expect to gain a surprisingly modest 620 m of elevation in total. Heading west out of the city centre, the route gently bears north as you ride in the direction of the towns of Pizarra, Álora and eventually the village of El Chorro.
The route snakes its way through a predominantly agricultural landscape, with orange, lemon and olive groves offering inevitably Mediterranean views. The village of El Chorro marks the more-or-less halfway point, a chance to sit in a café for a drink and snack before reaching the gorge.
Nerja, the N-340 and beyond
If one day you just don’t have the legs for climbing, you’ve still got options. Málaga is more than hills! For a flatter ride, the “old” national road (N-340) that runs through the centre of Málaga and out towards the east. It hugs the coastline and passes through the towns of El Rincón de la Victoria, Torre del Mar, Maro, Nerja and Almuñecar, offering the chance for a solid 150 km spin beside the sparkling Mediterranean.
To keep the ride to a round 100 km, aim for Nerja and enjoy a snack, ice cream or a spot of lunch at the Balcón de Europa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, before heading back home to Málaga. 50 km out, 50 km back. Being a coastal route, the wind tends to pick up on either the outbound or inbound journey, so prepare to battle a breeze one way or another.
Sierra de Mijas
The coastal towns and landscapes to the west of Málaga also offer plenty of Instagram- worthy road routes. Similar to the rides along the eastern coast of Málaga, these routes combine flat stretches and respectable climbs into the Sierra de Mijas mountain range behind the towns of Benalmadena and Fuengirola.
Bear in mind when heading west that the coastal road cuts off just before the airport. You will need to circumvent the area by passing through Campanillas and back down towards the coast and Torremolinos.
From here, you have several options: The first is to ride out to Fuengirola along the coast, then simply turn back and retrace your steps; another option is to head inland from Benalmadena, climb towards Alhaurín el Grande before descending back towards Torremolinos and soon after, Málaga; or finally, to continue along the coast until you reach Fuengirola, at which point turn inland, head up to Mijas Pueblo and loop around the Sierra de Mijas before descending back down towards the coast.
These loops vary in distance but are generally rides of under 100 km. The elevation on the other hand can increase rapidly and with rides that accumulate almost 2,000 m from a single loop (unless you stick to the coastal roads). It goes without saying the photo opportunities are endless, especially if you time your ride for dusk and sunset.
The Eat Sleep Cycle Cycling Hub, Málaga
Málaga is also the home of our Malaga Cycling Hub. This city is a gateway to popular Eat Sleep Cycle tour locations like Andalucia and Portugal. It is also our home for culture, food, good vibes and amazing riding.
For us, Málaga is the place to be, it’s a buzzing city that’s full of life and we’re proud to be part of Málaga road cycling’s journey as an up-and-coming cycling destination.
Come and see us, grab a coffee and let’s talk cycling!
Book Your Place on a Málaga Cycling Tour
If this has got you inspired to travel to Málaga, then why not view our cycling tours in Málaga and check out the trips and packages we have available. If you’re planning to travel here and don’t want to worry about bringing a bike, get in touch with our Málaga Hub and talk to us about our Málaga Bike Hire service to rent top-quality, fully-serviced road, gravel and mountain bikes.
If you’ve any questions about your possible cycling tour in Málaga give us a call now on +34 951 01 48 08 or contact us online for more info!
The city, and by extension, the region of Málaga, is a veritable smorgasbord of sweet and spicy gravel routes that will take you from the pine-clad paths of Los Montes de Málaga to the dramatic views of the El Chorro gorge.
Leave whatever preconceptions you had of Málaga and the Costa del Sol to one side, because after seeing these breathtaking climbs, eyewatering gradients and stunning coastal spins, you’ll be rearing to join us and try these epic gravel adventures for yourself.
Gravel Cycling Routes in Málaga
Guadalhorce river, the airport and the Sierra de Mijas
Some of the easiest routes to access from the city centre are those that start from the Guadalhorce Park. The Park is located at the mouth of the Guadalhorce River, just to the west of Misericordia Beach. It’s hard to miss given that at any time of day, cyclists and walkers can be seen crossing from the tarmac onto the dirt track that runs parallel to the river.
From here there are two options: to continue straight along the right-hand side of the riverbank, or cross the wooden bridge and continue along the left-hand side of the riverbank. Either route will take you right under the flight path of landing planes, and to the boundaries of the airport, which can make for pretty unique photos.
Crossing to the left-hand side of the river will allow you to access the villages of Alhaurín de la Torre, El Romeral and Cártama. From Pinos de Alhaurín, there are several roads and tracks that lead up into the Sierra de Mijas, with some impressive climbs such as the Puerto de la Graja. This lush green route is signposted for cyclists and walkers, with a natural spring and look out points. This loop, starting from Málaga, is around 67 km in length with 1,100 m of elevation.
Once in the Sierra, a beautiful network of tracks and paths zig-zag through the dense forest made up of oaks, wild olive trees and palmettos, such as the ones leading up to the Cañana del Lobo lookout point, a large paved and partially-shaded rest area with uninterrupted 360º views, crowned by a sculpture of a howling wolf.
Los Montes de Málaga
Los Montes de Málaga Natural Park is a pine-forest playground offering the perfect terrain for gravel adventures. Easily accessible through the neighbourhood of El Limonar to the east of the city, after battling a couple of steep climbs on the road, this swiftly turns into a dirt track and you can proceed to get your wheels dirty to your heart’s content.
We recommend having the route planned out before you go, as a wrong turn in these mountains could get you quite lost… GPS signal isn’t always reliable once you are deep into this labyrinth of pathways, so make sure you stick to the pre-planned route unless you’re riding with someone who knows these hills well.
Routes through the Montes de Málaga can vary from 30 km to 60 km and more, with plenty of varied elevation and descents to sink your proverbial gravel teeth into. The views from this Natural Park are stunning, stretching both back over the city and out to the Mediterranean Sea, and deeper into the Andalucian hills if you face inland.
La Ermita de Los Verdiales
La Ermita de Los Verdiales is a small abandoned chapel located right on the dividing line between the Campanillas River and the Guadalmedina River; right on the border of the judicial districts of Verdiales and Roalabota. It is an architectural checkpoint for local cyclists that is believed date back to around the beginning of the eighteenth century.
The route from the centre of town crosses west out of Málaga and through el Puerto de la Torre. It is an almost 50-50 mix of road and gravel track, which gains elevation fast thanks to some steep ramps that eventually offer some pretty spectacular views across inland Málaga. This route averages out at around 38 km with around 650 m of elevation – short but sharp!
There is not a whole lot of shade on the route, so earlier rides are better if you want to avoid the midday heat. Unfortunately, there is also no water fountain once you reach the Ermita, so if it’s a warm day, take a couple of bottles of water along just in case.
El Chorro by gravel
To the northwest of Malaga sits the El Chorro gorge, which shares its name with a nearby village in the municipality of Álora, near the Guadalhorce Valley. That being said, it’s still within the region of Málaga and is close enough to reach by bike.
El Chorro is heaven for all kinds of “outdoors-y” adventurers. While it’s best known for rock climbing and hiking (home to the Caminito del Rey, a breath-taking natural ravine carved out by the turquoise waters of the Guadalhorce River. See our Cyclist’s Guide to Málaga for more information!), this area also offers plenty of gravel and mountain bike trails through the plunging gorge and dramatic canyon.
By car, El Chorro is about 60 km from Málaga, but cycling there adds a few extra kilometres into the mix, with the outbound route stretching for around 75 km. The ride starts at the Guadalhorce Park and essentially follows the Guadalhorce River up to the El Chorro gorge, passing through Cártama, Pizarra, Álora and Valle de Abdalajís. The return journey can always be shortened by hopping on a train back to Málaga in Álora, which will bring you and your bike right into the city centre.
Málaga is also the home of our Malaga Cycling Hub. This city is a gateway to Andalucia, Portugal and beyond and our benchmark for culture, food, good vibes and amazing riding. For us, Málaga is the place to be, it’s a buzzing city that’s full of life and we’re proud to be part of Málaga’s journey as an up-and-coming cycling destination.
Come and see us, grab a coffee and let’s talk cycling!
Book Your Place on a Málaga Cycling Tour
If this has got you inspired to travel to Málaga, then why not view our cycling tours in Málaga and check out the trips and packages we have available. If you’re planning to travel here and don’t want to worry about bringing a bike, get in touch with our Málaga Hub and talk to us about our Málaga Bike Hire service to rent top-quality, fully-serviced road, gravel and mountain bikes.
If you’ve any questions about your possible cycling tour in Málaga give us a call now on +34 951 01 48 08 or contact us online for more info!
