At the end of february 2015 I climbed on two days some climbs on the Portuguese Island of Madeira. it was a very though expirience. The first day I ride 3 climbs ; starting from the southcoast of the island , together some 35 kilometers of climbing , good for 2500 heigthmeters.
Starting with the "Bocca de Encumeada" , with the last 6km very though , about 10 a 11% average increase and a strong wind in the last 3 a 4km.
As second climb , the Eira do Serrado , starting from Funchal , on a lovely and quiet road , with on the top a fabulous view over the circus "Curral das Freiras"
About 4:30pm I started from Camara de Lobos for the last climb that first day : up to the cliff (651m above sea level) named "Cabo Girao". This last climb was not so though, but the view at the top is outstanding ! As I was standing on the platform , there was a overview from the whole city of Funchal , upto a great piece of the southcoast of the island .
The second day was planned to do the 20km long climb from Funchal to the top of the "Pico do Arieiro" (1818m high).
As the weather was lovely at the beginning (more than 20° C !) , the climb is a very , very though one. (average more than 9%)
Starting at the "Rua do Til" , the first 3km go up between 15 - 20% !!
I was lucky with my MTB and the small gears on it. Way up to the village of Monte , the road was very steep.
As I passed the village the wind was setting up, above 1000m sealevel there was a very though wind , and some fog (clouds) were coming up with a bit of rain. The temperature decreases from 20° C way to 6° C !
The climb took a lot of energy at this point. When I passed the 1500m sealevel , I went from fog/rain to a sunny view.
At last I was cycling higher than the clouds ! Never seen it in whole my life.
After a effort of more than 90 minutes ; I reached the top of this lovely climb.
The big white globe was glittering against the clear blue sky , and there was a 180° panorama over the mountains , the clouds.... and the ocean .
Madeira is a lovely island for cyling and walking ; but you need to be in good shape and to have a bike with adapted gear !
Photos are visible on the page : "cycling stories" , (klimmen op Madeira februari 2015) , at the bottom of the page.
I rent the MBT by :
"Happy Bikes", located on the Rua Princesa Dona Maria Amélia 7 , at 9000-019 Funchal (Madeira - Portugal) (close to the port of Funchal)
Price for 2 days : 26 euro
GPX files of the climbs I did : to obtain by sending an e-mail : [email protected]
Starting with the "Bocca de Encumeada" , with the last 6km very though , about 10 a 11% average increase and a strong wind in the last 3 a 4km.
As second climb , the Eira do Serrado , starting from Funchal , on a lovely and quiet road , with on the top a fabulous view over the circus "Curral das Freiras"
About 4:30pm I started from Camara de Lobos for the last climb that first day : up to the cliff (651m above sea level) named "Cabo Girao". This last climb was not so though, but the view at the top is outstanding ! As I was standing on the platform , there was a overview from the whole city of Funchal , upto a great piece of the southcoast of the island .
The second day was planned to do the 20km long climb from Funchal to the top of the "Pico do Arieiro" (1818m high).
As the weather was lovely at the beginning (more than 20° C !) , the climb is a very , very though one. (average more than 9%)
Starting at the "Rua do Til" , the first 3km go up between 15 - 20% !!
I was lucky with my MTB and the small gears on it. Way up to the village of Monte , the road was very steep.
As I passed the village the wind was setting up, above 1000m sealevel there was a very though wind , and some fog (clouds) were coming up with a bit of rain. The temperature decreases from 20° C way to 6° C !
The climb took a lot of energy at this point. When I passed the 1500m sealevel , I went from fog/rain to a sunny view.
At last I was cycling higher than the clouds ! Never seen it in whole my life.
After a effort of more than 90 minutes ; I reached the top of this lovely climb.
The big white globe was glittering against the clear blue sky , and there was a 180° panorama over the mountains , the clouds.... and the ocean .
Madeira is a lovely island for cyling and walking ; but you need to be in good shape and to have a bike with adapted gear !
Photos are visible on the page : "cycling stories" , (klimmen op Madeira februari 2015) , at the bottom of the page.
I rent the MBT by :
"Happy Bikes", located on the Rua Princesa Dona Maria Amélia 7 , at 9000-019 Funchal (Madeira - Portugal) (close to the port of Funchal)
Price for 2 days : 26 euro
GPX files of the climbs I did : to obtain by sending an e-mail : [email protected]