40 years of bike lanes in Barcelona

40 years ago, a group called the “Amics de la Bici” laid out Barcelona’s very first cycle lane. Since then, the city has continued to expand its cycle network. But it hasn’t always been so easy.

The first bike lane in Barcelona


It’s interesting to note that Barcelona wasn’t always the bike-friendly city it is today. 40 years ago, it was very difficult to get around the city by bike. The environment and soft mobility were not yet major issues, and the city council was not determined to change things.


This was without counting on the cyclists’ group Amics de la Bici, an association that still exists today, and which was campaigning for Barcelona City Council to create spaces dedicated to non-motorised vehicles. When their request went unheeded, the group decided to inaugurate Barcelona’s first cycle path on the 15th of July 1983. It was built illegally in the heart of the Eixample.

Amics de la Bici, a group that fights for the development of bycicle lanes in Barcelona.

Today, Barcelona City Council is trying to reduce its environmental impact and is working hard to develop bicycle transport. If you’re planning to visit Barcelona in the near future, we recommend that you use a bicycle to discover this beautiful city. It’s a fun and environmentally-friendly way to enjoy your trip!

discover our offers at Born Bike Tours Barcelona!

El Mercat del Born

The Mercat del Born, located in the heart of Barcelona’s Born district, is a little-known spot for tourists. Yet it is a cultural site brimming with history that is well worth a visit!

First, an ordinary market…

The Born covered market, designed by the architect Josep Fontserè, was inaugurated in 1876. It was one of the first iron buildings in Barcelona. For 95 years, the Mercat del Born fulfilled the function for which it was built: It became an emblematic location for fruit and vegetable wholesaling in Barcelona.

In 1971, the market closed its doors and was left derelict for many years. Initially, it was to be demolished, but several disapproving Barcelonans allowed the building to be preserved.  

The Mercat del Born in Barcelona is a place of culture and history!

…Now an archaeological site

In 2002, a remarkably well-preserved medieval and modern city was discovered in the basement of the Mercat del Born while work was being carried out to convert the old market into a library. This city corresponds to the old quarter of la Ribera, which was destroyed as a result of the War of Succession in 1714.

Today, you can visit the market, which has been transformed into a museum and cultural center providing information on the Spanish War of Succession.

The Mercat del Born in Barcelona: an archaelogical site

Easily accessible by bike, the Mercat del Born is an essential stop on our Beach Bike Tour. Book one of our Bike Tours, and your guide will be happy to tell you more about this and other must-see places in Barcelona.

Barcelona by bike: Visit the Mercat del Born with Born Bike Tours Barcelona.

Barcelona by bike.

Barcelona is known for its excellent transport network. Recently, Barcelona has focused on sustainable mobility and, in particular, on bicycle transport by building more and more bike lanes. And it’s working! According to Barcelona City Council, between 2021 and 2022, the use of bikes and scooters in the city increased by 11%.

bike lanes in Barcelona

Between November 2022 and June 2023 alone, 32.6 kilometers of bike lanes were built, and 11.7 kilometers were renovated to make them more accessible. Barcelona now has more than 270 km of bike lanes throughout the city, including some of the most popular tourist spots! The Arc de Triomf, Casa Milà, Casa Battló, Barceloneta beach, Parc de la Ciutadella, Montjuïc, etc. In short, there is something for everyone when it comes to cycling.

Guided bike tours in Barcelona by Born Bike Tours Barcelona.

Born Bike Tours Barcelona allows you to visit Barcelona by bike, in the most sustainable way possible! We offer bike rentals for the more adventurous (you can find a map of Barcelona’s bike lane network here), and we also offer guided tours with guides led by knowledgeable guides who are well-acquainted with Barcelona and will share their anecdotes about the Catalan capital.

Are you planning a visit to Barcelona soon? Treat yourself to a guided tour with Born Bike Tours Barcelona.

La fiesta de la bicicleta returns in Barcelona in 2023!

La fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) is back in Barcelona for another edition on Sunday the 11th of June 2023. Organized every year by the city hall of Barcelona to promote sustainable mobility for everyone, la fiesta de la Bicicleta should once again be a great success this year.

La fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) in Barcelona, the 11th of June 2023.

On the agenda of la fiesta de la bicicleta

The event will take place from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, Passeig de Lluís Companys (Between the arc of Triomf and the Ciutadella Parc).

On the agenda, activities for young and old:

  • Games and workshops around the theme of the bicycle
  • Raffle to win various prizes
  • Presentation and testing of various bicycles such as cargobikes or bicings (Bicycles available to everyone in the streets of Barcelona, offered as an alternative to polluting transport)
  • The traditional Bicicletada
La fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) in front of the arc of Triomf, Passeig de Lluís Companys.

The Bicicletada: the famous bike ride of la fiesta de la bicicleta

Every year, on the occasion of la fiesta de la Bicicleta, a bike ride of a dozen kilometers is organized in the streets of Barcelona. The Bicicletada connects the intersection of Carrer d’Aragó and Passeig de Sant Joan to Passeig de Lluís Companys, passing through several emblematic places of Barcelona. You will be able to discover the Eixample, Ciutat Vella and Sant Martí districts while pedaling! 

Are you convinced?

Then meet us on Sunday the 11th of June 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of Carrer d’Aragó and Passeig de Sant Joan to participate in the Bicicletada.

It is advisable to arrive 30 minutes early.

The bicicletada from la fiesta de la bicicleta (bike festival) in Barcelona.

We hope to see you at la fiesta de la bicicleta on the 11th of June. But, if by chance you are not available that day, discover Barcelona by bike is possible every day of the year at Born Bike Barcelona.

Want to discover Barcelona? Let us explain the advantages of cycling.

Discover the Parc de la Ciutadella by bike.

Born Bike Tours Barcelona is a Catalan cultural tours company created in 2009 with a clear objective: to take advantage of our roots and origins, to combine our knowledge of Barcelona’s history and our passion for the world of cycling and culture.

The human factor is one of our values and we consider it our responsibility to achieve our collective goals with empathy and fidelity.

With 240 kilometres of cycle path, visiting Barcelona by bike allows you to drive to unusual places, emblematic or not yet known, to discover its history or its milestones.

Through these authentic guided tours. Born Bike Tours Barcelona offers you a historical, cultural, economic and sociological point of view.

Guided bike tour at Montjuïc.

Why choose cycling as a means of transport ?

Cycling is the fastest means of transport in the city and will allow you to stop regularly without constraints in places where cars do not pass in order to admire the landscape.

In addition, visiting the city by bike will improve your physical and mental health while reducing the stress that road traffic could generate.

These days, we must also take into account the economic factor.

Indeed, a bike does not need fuel to move forward, just the strength of your legs. Thus, you will reduce your carbon footprint, and the planet will thank you!

A group taking advantage of a sunny day to cycle the Montjuïc.

The bike is ideal for families !

If you have children, this is the opportunity to offer them a holiday around a pleasant activity that will be perfect to create unforgettable memories.

22-23 October: The Barcelona Architecture Festival reopens its doors!

The city of Barcelona opens the 14th edition of the “48h Open Doors” architecture festival from 22 to 23 October 2022.

This year’s festival highlights all the disciplines and professionals that make Barcelona’s architecture a collaborative and global work.
The aim is to bring designers, craftsmen, users and architects out of the shadows to share their collaborative design secrets and to raise awareness about these professions that build Barcelona’s environment.

Planning :

Visits to the most emblematic places in Barcelona will take place in all areas of the city.
For example, in the Centre you can visit

THE “APARTAMENT PICASSO”.

This is a complete remodelling of a small, very isolated house into an open flat, where the spaces interact and nothing is designed at random

PICASSO

“NNWALLERY: VALÈNCIA-ROGENT WALL”

On the Carrer de València at the corner of Rogent street, you can find the work of DXTR (Dennis Schuster, Berlin), an internationally renowned urban style artist who combines applications on city walls with advertising campaigns for well-known brands. It will be an interactive mural of over 50 metres in length and 2.5 metres in height.

You can also search for all other exhibitions on the festival website at

https://www.48hopenhousebarcelona.org/els-edificis/

Enjoy your immersion in Barcelona’s architecture!

5 ways to do sport for free or cheap in Barcelona

In Barcelona, there are different ways to do sports for free or cheap while enjoying a beautiful view: 

Rent a bike from Born Bike Tours Barcelona 

By renting a bike, you can enjoy the 240km of cycle paths that the city of Barcelona has to offer. 

Some ideas for cycling routes: 

– Along the Els Vivers de Can Borni gardens which are located in the heart of the Collserola mountain. (10km)

– Along the beaches of the Maresme (32km)

Running at the Carretera de les Aigües

Also located in the heart of the Collserola mountain range, it is very popular with runners and cyclists also. 

A great way to combine sport and spectacular views. 

Climb Montjuïc Hill

Climbing this hill will help you burn off as many calories as possible and enjoy the panoramic view when you arrive. You can also take a break by visiting the Montjuïc Castle. 

Walk in Park Güell 

Park Güell is a magnificent creation of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, covering more than 17 hectares, and will allow you to discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site while walking a few kilometres. It will cost you 10 euros per person. 

Do sports at the beach 

On the beachfront there are facilities where you can do fitness for free. There are also facilities located in the Eixample or Poblenou. 

Holy Week in Barcelona

Spain is a Catholic country, so Holy Week is a time of celebration in Barcelona.

Holy Week celebrates the end of Lent and commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus. It begins on Palm Sunday, which is the most important day of the week.

WHAT TO DO DURING HOLY WEEK IN BARCELONA?

Attend the religious processions:

– La Borriquita: Palm Sunday (April 10, 2022) from 11:00 to 11:30, starting and finishing at the Parish of Sant Agustí, Plaza de Sant Agustí, 2.

– The Procession of the Good Death: Palm Sunday (10 April 2022) from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, departure and arrival will be at the Major Parish of Santa Anna, calle Santa Anna, 29.

– The Way of the Cross of the Blood: On Holy Thursday (14 April 2022), the start and finish will be at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, Plaza del Pi, 7.

– Procession of the Virgen de las Angustias: Good Friday (15 April 2022) from 7pm to 11pm, starting and finishing at the Parish Church of Sant Jaume, Carrer Ferran, 28.

Attend the Castellers demonstrations:

The Castellers troops are groups that perform acrobatic figures, there will be two demonstrations on Palm Sunday (10 April 2022):

– First will take place at 11:30 am in the gardens of the Rambla de Sants with the Castellers de Sants.

– The next one will be at 12:00 in Plaça de la Revolució with the Castellers of Vila de Gràcia, Sant Cugat and Berga.

Eating a Mona de Pascua:

Originally, the Mona de Pascua is a crown-shaped bun. In Catalonia, it is a typical dessert and, according to tradition, it is the godparents who must offer one to their godchild.

Discover the palm markets:

The palm markets or “Fires de Rams” are located on the Rambla de Catalunya, in front of Barcelona Cathedral and also in the Sagrada Familia park on the side of the Passion façade. They are usually present from the Wednesday before Palm Sunday and are blessed during the blessing mass that marks the beginning of Holy Week.

Although Holy Week is a quieter time in Barcelona than in other Spanish cities, Barcelona’s tourist sector still estimates that it accounts for 70% of hotel occupancy. However, during this period the opening hours of shops and museums may be modified.

Summary of Holy Week (10 to 18 April 2022) :

Palm Sunday: 10 April

Holy Monday: 11 April

Holy Tuesday: 12 April

Holy Wednesday: 13 April

Holy Thursday: 14 April

Holy Friday : 15 April

Holy Saturday : 16 April

Easter Sunday : 17 April

Easter Monday : 18 April

Sports competitions in Barcelona in 2022 

In Barcelona, sport is very present. Indeed, the people of Barcelona are sporty and have competition in their blood! That’s why we are going to present you the main sports competitions taking place in Barcelona in 2022.

TRAM BARCELONA OPEN 2022 

📆 Dates : From 18.05.2022 to 22.05.2022

📍Place: Real Club de Polo de Barcelona – Av. Doctor Marañón, 17-31, 08028 Barcelona 

In order to show that sport is accessible to all and thus normalize disability sport, one of the most important events will be present in Barcelona for the 5th edition. This sports competition is an international tennis tournament for people in wheelchairs. The Tram Barcelona Open highlights the surpassing of oneself, the efforts and also the perseverance in spite of some differences. The tournament is hosted by the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. 

E-DREAMS: MITJA MARATÓ OF BARCELONA 

📆 Dates: 03.04.2022

This is the eDream half marathon of Barcelona. It takes place in the center of Barcelona and passes through the most famous avenues of Barcelona. This sporting event brings together runners from all over the world, from different countries, of different levels, to spend a great time in the beautiful city of Barcelona.

45th INDOOR TRIAL OF BARCELONA 

📆 Dates: 10.04.2022 – 17h00

📍 Place: Passeig Olímpic, 5-7, 08038 Barcelona 

The Trial Indoor Barcelona is the best Indoor Trial for men and women. This event takes place once again at the Palau de Sant Jordi in Barcelona for a round of the FIM X-Trial World Championship 2022. 

On the program: Obstacles, jumps, and acrobatics. The best riders in the world will compete to offer a show as beautiful as impressive.

ZURICH MARATON OF BARCELONA

📆 Dates : 08.05.2022 

It is the 44th edition of this marathon which is very famous in the European continent. It is a great civic celebration in which runners from all over the world come together. Indeed, the circuit of more than 42 kilometers is one of the most spectacular in the world!

FORMULA 1 FIRST GRAND PRIZE OF SPAIN

📆 Dates: 20.05.2022 to 22.05.2022 

📍 Place: Circuit of Barcelona, Catalonia, Mas “La Moreneta”, 08160 Montmeló

The Formula 1 invites itself to the circuit of Barcelona in the year 2022. It is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year in Barcelona. It is the fifth race of the F1 championship season.

It’s up to you, the enthusiasts, to come and support your favorite athletes!

The festivals of March in Barcelona in 2022

In this month of March 2022, you will not be bored! You’re going to get an earful!

Indeed, many festivals are planned and organized this month and there is something for everyone. Jazz, classical music, cinema, humor and so on.

Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival & Obertura City + 

The Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival is a classical music festival that highlights great international performers. The festival is in collaboration with the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Auditorium. The Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival also takes place in major emblematic places of Barcelona such as the Casa Batlló, the Museum of Music, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the Joan Miró Foundation and others. 

For this year 2022, the festival wants to highlight women composers who have been forgotten only because they were women.

41th International Jazz Festival of Terrassa 

In this year 2022, the 41st edition of the International Jazz Festival takes place in the city of Terrassa and the Vallès Occidental region. 

In fact, several concerts and artists will perform in the squares, courtyards, terraces, or parks of the city and on the stage of the famous Nova Jazz Cava. The festival will organize various activities, competitions, film screenings, workshops, or swing sessions! 

It’s a great way to discover Jazz and you won’t get bored!

In Risus Festival 

This year in Barcelona you can enjoy one of the most entertaining festivals, the In Risus Festival. Indeed, you can enjoy great comedians and masters of monologue who will perform on the stages of several theaters and halls in Barcelona. 

Artists such as Berto Romero, Ana Mogarde, Charo López, or David Fernández will be present on stage. 

Laughter is at the center of the festival for our greatest pleasure! And yes, the month of March rhymes with farce and it is not for nothing!

XXIV Mecalpro Festival 

The Mecalpro Festival is an international festival that aims to present more than 5000 short films by international directors in Barcelona. Its objective is to promote new talents and thus to bring together creators and distributors.  

It consists of audiovisual screenings divided into 4 sections, other diverse activities are also organized including themes, genres, authors and different eras.

This month of March promises to be full of discoveries !

Don’t miss the Barcelona rally !

The Barcelona Rally returns in 2022 for its 64th edition. It will take place on 19 and 20 March 2022. The participating cars and motorbikes come from various national locations and will run from Barcelona to Sitges. The only condition to participate is their production date! Up to 1928 for the cars and 1938 for the motorbikes. Some of them will be a hundred years old!

Did you know that? The rally is considered as an Event of National Tourist Interest! 

2022 poster:

This year’s poster pays tribute to the French brand Amilcar, which produced 3 or 4-wheeled vehicles weighing up to 350 kg.

Waiting for the start of the Barcelona – Sitges rally…

From 7 to 19 March, to keep you waiting, you will be able to see many vintage cars on display, open to the public!

The rally program 

On the program on Saturday 19 March : 

9:30 am: Cultural Gymkhana. 20 cars (Porsches) will participate in this gymkhana which will start in front of the ME Terramar Hotel in Sitges. The route ends at 14:00. The cars will then be on display at the Fragata until mid-afternoon.

10:00 – 17:00: Inspection and control of the vehicles and their display at Avenida Diagonal. For an atmosphere in keeping with the era of the cars, a music group will play jazz from the 1920s which will be danced by members of the BCNswing association.

On the programme for 20 March :

Arrival of the participants at the plaza de Sant Jaume at 8:30 am sharp!

The drivers and passengers of the cars will be dressed in the same way as they were when their car/bike was designed, often in collaboration with Menkes (a specialist in the craft of clothing and shoes).

The start will be at 10:30! The route is as follows :

Barcelona (Pl. Sant Jaume – Ferran – Rambles – Pl. Catalunya – Ronda Universitat – Ronda Sant Antoni – Sepúlveda – Paral-lel – Pl. Espanya – Gran Via – Badal – Constitució), to L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Santa Eulàlia – Enric Prat de la Riba – Barcelona), Cornellà de Llobregat (Carretera de L’Hospitalet – Av. de la Fama – Tirso de Molina – Av. Baix Llobregat – Connection with the C-245), Sant Boi de Llobregat, Viladecans, Gavà, Castelldefels, connection with the C-246, Costas del Garraf and arrival at the port of Sitges-Aiguadolç around 12:30.

Meanwhile, around midday, a music and dance show will begin with the group Apocadixie Cotton Pickers accompanied by dancers from Swing Garraf. The show lasts until the arrival of the Ral Oleo caravan.

They depart again at 13:30 pm :

This time from the port of Sitges to the Fragata, the cars will be on display until 17:00 once they arrive at the Fragata. 

The itinerary of the route is as follows: Av. Puerto de Aiguadolç – Emerencià Roig and Raventós – Av. Balmins – Puerto Alegre – Rafael Llopart – Jesús – Cap de la Vila – Parellades – Marqués de Montroig – Plaça de l’Industria – 1 de Mayo – Pº de la Ribera – Balsa Redonda – San Antonio – Avda Sofía and Paseo de la Ribera to the Fragata.

Then, the passions, the amateurs or the curious one awaits you numerous! 🏁

Street art, a modern art

Very common in Barcelona, street art is still growing. “Street art” means Urban Art, it is a contemporary artistic movement that appeared at the end of the XXth Century. It is present in the streets, on the walls, in public places. It comes in different forms: graffiti, poster creation, stencil graffiti, pastel and video projection.

If you want to discover street art, Barcelona is for you! In this article we present you the 5 graffiti not to be missed, but you should know that there are some on almost every street corner !

The Carboneria of Sant Antoni : a place full of history

The old abandoned coal factory is now transformed into a squat. It is one of the spaces where we find the most street art. Long threatened with demolition, the coal factory is now one of the most emblematic places of street art. Indeed, the *okupas have made a fresco on the facade of the charcoal house, making it of historical and artistic interest and avoiding its demolition.

*People who occupy and take possession of unoccupied places to live in.

📍 Address : Carrer del Comte d’urgell 30 08011, Barcelona

The face of Rosalia : the Barcelona pop star 

Originally from Barcelona, Rosalia has been known worldwide since 2018 thanks to her songs and duets with international stars. Supported by the citizens of her hometown, the Catalan singer has been represented on the walls of the city by the famous artist Uriginal, in the district of Sants to immortalize the face of the new voice of flamenco!

📍 Adress : 32 calle Creu Coberta, 08014 Barcelona

El Pez : an explosion of colors 

Renowned worldwide, the Barcelona artist is one of the greatest figures of street art. He has created works all over the world: Barcelona, Lyon, Paris, Oslo, Miami, Bogota, etc. His works are easily recognizable because he always represents smiling fish with bright colors.

📍 Adress : Mia Festival Barcelona

Pablo Picasso : youth has no age 

Portrait of Pablo Picasso by #myhoodisgood with the phrase “youth has no age.” This phrase is dedicated to Picasso’s adolescence and early adulthood in Barcelona, where he met his lifelong friends. It also expresses the youthful spirit of the famous painter who died in 1973.

📍 Adress : Carrer de l’Agricultura, Barcelona

The agora : street art pays tribute 

This work is a tribute to Juan Andres Benitez, who died in 2013 during an altercation with the police that degenerated in the Raval neighborhood. Several artists wanted to honor his memory by telling his story through street art. This place is called the Agora and is a space for meetings and exchanges.

📍 Address: Carrer de l’Aurora, Barcelona

Don’t hesitate, come and discover the street art in Barcelone !

To see more, here are the artist’s Instagram accounts :

@pezbarcelona

@uriginalbcn

@myhoodisgood

5 events not to be missed in Barcelona in 2022 !  

Exhibition of Adolf Mas “the eyes of Barcelona” :  

Major Catalan figure of the photographic reportage, he allowed through his pictures to see the evolution of the city of Barcelona during some decades of the XXth Century. Through 200 photographs you will have the opportunity to discover the urban, political, socio-cultural and artistic transformation of Barcelona.

Where? Centro de Fotografía KBr Fundación MAPFRE

When? From 18/02/2022 to 15/05/2022

Photographies of Adolf Mas

The Ou Com Balla :

A traditional festival in Barcelona, the Ou Com Balla consists of dancing an egg. The egg is balanced on the jet of water in pools located in cloisters, patios and gardens. On this occasion, you can admire the fountains decorated with flowers and fruits. This Barcelona festival commemorates the institution of the Eucharist. 

Where? Different areas of Barcelona

When? 16/06/2022 – 19/06/2022

Banksy, the art of protest :

A renowned street art artist, Banksy’s identity is still unknown. However, for the first time, Banksy is coming to Barcelona to exhibit more than 80 exclusive pieces from international private collections. During this exhibition, you will have the opportunity to live a multi-sensory journey thanks to the installation of immersive multimedia present for this event. The allocation of a free audio guide for smartphone will allow you a better understanding of the different Banksy. 

Where? Museu del Disseny (Design Museum)

When ? 12/11/2021 – 13/03/2022

Barcelona Design Week :

The BDW’22 has been an unmissable event in Barcelona for a few years now, putting art, design, gastronomy and creativity at the center of the project. During one week, design is made accessible to all the city’s inhabitants. Barcelona Design Week also includes Food Design Week, which highlights local food designers and gastronomic experiences. In fact, it is a new edition of the event Disseny en Diagonal that takes place on the main avenue of Barcelona. 

Where? Several areas of the city

When?  October 2022

101 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya :

On the occasion of the 101st edition of the Vuelta, the world’s biggest stars will compete in different stages through the 4 provinces of Catalonia. That’s why the route is specially made for high level athletes! Although the vuelta does not pass through Barcelona, it is a major event in Spain!

Where ? In Spain

When ? 21/03/2022 – 27/03/2022

Discover the festival of Saint Eulalie

The festival of Santa Eulalia or “La Laia” is a major festival of the winter season in Barcelona. It takes place on February 11, 12 and 13, 2022 in all the city’s neighborhoods with various activities. Its purpose is to commemorate Saint Eulalia, the co-patroness of Barcelona.

WHO WAS SAINT EULALIE?

She was a Christian and practicing child, born between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century. When she was 13 years old, this young girl faced the repressions directed by the emperor Diocleciano towards the Christian community. She then decided to address the governor of Barcino (modern Barcelona) to contest these acts. Despite her young age and her convictions, the governor did not wish to act. Indeed, he forced Saint Eulalia to renounce her religion. Not wanting to give in, she was sentenced to 13 martyrdoms for her 13 years of life and was finally crucified.  She is buried today in the Cathedral of Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona.

MAIN ACTIVITIES OF SAINT EULALIE :

Most of the activities take place in the Plaza de Sant Jaume. This is where the inauguration and the famous castellers of Barcelona take place! Also organized are the “gegants” (giant walk through the city), the “correfocs” (fire show) and the sardanes (traditional dance). Music groups also travel through the city following different routes. The Saint Eulalia is for young and old alike!

CASTELLERS: HUMAN TOUR 

As in all the great Catalan festivals, the castellers stand up to offer you an incredible show. Casteller comes from the word castell which means “castle, human tower”.

It is a Catalan tradition that represents an acrobatic prowess recognized by UNESCO as part of the cultural and intangible heritage of humanity. These towers are performed by people of all ages, all types, and all physical conditions. Each of them has an indispensable role. Indeed, the tower is composed of 3 parts:

The Pinya (=pine cone): it is the base of the tower, it is on it that all the weight rests and it has for role to absorb the possible falls.

The trunk: is the part that is between the base and the top of the tower whose role is to ensure their connection.

The pom de dalt (= apple of the top): often ensured by children thanks to their flexibility and their lightness which allows them to climb on top of the tower with ease. 

SARDANES: A MYTHIC DANCE 

Considered the national dance of Catalonia, men and women dance together to the rhythm of the music played by the copla, holding hands while forming a circle. Are you ready for a wild dance to the rhythm of the copla?

CORREFOCS, A SPECTACLE OF FIRE AND DEVILS 

Popular in Spain, this street show comes from a cultural activist group (1978) that wanted to create a fire show and a devil dance. Later, the public joined the show, which led to its popularity.

THE GIANTS

Attend the parade of Eulalia in the streets of Barcelona!

The parade of the giants is a tradition in the Catalan capital during which they move and dance. 

These characters of several meters are made of materials such as wicker, wood, worm, aluminum, or fiberglass and are supported by carriers.

Don’t hesitate, come to discover this emblematic festival in Barcelona! 

If you want more informations :

https://www.barcelona.cat/santaeulalia/en

The flower of Barcelona

As you walk or cycle through the streets of Barcelona, you will have noticed these little flowers on the cobblestones of the city. This motif has become one of the symbols of Barcelona, but do you know where it really comes from?

Flower of Barcelona Gotic Eixample modernism cobblestone streets

Symbol of Modernism

From the middle of the 19th century, Barcelona experienced a strong economic and urban expansion. The industrial revolution that affected Europe at that time allowed the Catalan capital to enter the modern era. It began to build a new district, the Eixample, which means “the extension” in Catalan. Many modern buildings appeared. The streets, however, were not yet adapted: they looked more like dirt roads, sometimes covered with gravel.

The problem arose when it rained, as the streets turned into streams of mud that flowed down the mountain to the sea. To solve these urban problems, the town council decided to pave the streets. For economic and resistance reasons, concrete slabs measuring 20 x 20 cm were used. This type of paving is called panot in Catalan. Other very old slabs have also been found in the Montjuïc and Gòtic districts.

Five types of tiles were standardised: flower, calavera (four circles with a square in the centre), four concentrated circles, four squares and four squares with four circles inside. In 1916, the company Escofet y Cia won a competition from the town council to pave the town. It lined many streets with the five forms of panots.

Barcelona Flower Barcelona Gotic Eixample modernism cobblestone streets patterns competition

However, two paving patterns have become the majority. These are the four-square tablet and, above all, the Barcelona “flower”. Why these two symbols? Because the tablet is easy to make and practical if one or more tiles need to be replaced, as it can be subdivided. The flower, on the other hand, allows water to be stored in its grooves in case of rain and to walk without risk.

An influence of Josep Puig i Cadafalch?

Legend has it that the flower motif was inspired by one of the city’s most important architects, Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

In fact, a four-petal flower-shaped slab was first used to pave the entrance to the Casa Amatller, a modernist house on the Passeig de Gràcia, built between 1898 and 1900. However, this flower design is not exactly like the famous Barcelona flower. The link between the architect and the Barcelona cobblestones is therefore not proven.

Why should you cycle on holidays?

Is good for your mood !

Our main aim when we go on holiday is to relax and clear our heads.     If your goal is to forget about your daily worries for a few days, then cycling is for you. As well as giving you a great deal of oxygen, which is very good for your brain, cycling increases the level of certain neurotransmitters, in particular dopamine and serotonin, which are mood regulators. This triggers a feeling of psychological relaxation, pleasure and euphoria. In short, everything you want during your holidays!

Beach Bike tour guided tour family friends group born bike tours barcelona sport excursion barcelona relaxation discovery sun holiday

The best way to explore a city

Getting around by bike during your holiday means taking more or less known roads. Unlike the metro, bus or car, you are outside all the time. In addition to allowing you to perfect your tan, cycling gives you the opportunity to observe the landscape, monuments and architecture around you more closely. It can also lead you to take lesser-known roads, and thus make discoveries. This is the best way to explore a city!

Allows you to be physically active during your holiday

Cycling during your holiday allows you to maintain your physical health and avoid a sedentary lifestyle! As well as being good for your heart and breathing, it is a non-weight bearing exercise, which is ideal for people with joint pain or injuries. A sport that can be practised at any age, whether you are a great sportsman or not!

Bike tour guided tour family friends group born bike tours barcelona sport excursion barcelona montjuic relaxation discovery holiday

More ecological, cheaper and easier!

Unlike the car, public transport or scooter, the bicycle has a neutral ecological footprint, which is a very important concept today.

Moreover, the car can be a considerable waste of time. Between the traffic jams, the traffic problems, or the ordeal to find a place, it is a real waste of time! In Barcelona, you can find 240 km of cycle lanes, which allow you to move around freely, avoiding traffic problems.

This mode of transport also has the advantage of being inexpensive. At Born Bike Tours Barcelona, you can rent your bike for only 18€ for 24 hours, which is on average double the price of a scooter!

So don’t hesitate any longer, and come and rent a bike for your holidays!

Palao Market Fest

Palao Market Fest is an atypical market/festival, which takes place every first weekend of the month. It’s an atypical and modern concept that the organisers offer us: it’s not just a simple craft market with different food trucks, but a real dynamic festival mixing different arts, so you can live a real experience. During the month of November, the organisers have decided to add a date on the weekend of 20 and 21 December for the “Cool Christmas Fest” to get us into the Christmas spirit.

logo festival market crafts tourism activity leisure discovery

Far from the traditional markets that can be found in Barcelona such as the Boqueria or Saint Antoni, this market offers you the possibility of making artistic discoveries. Between jewellery, cosmetics, textiles or decoration, you are bound to find something you like. All the exhibitors are real craftsmen, and will make you discover their product with passion.

In addition to the exhibitors, you will also be able to find many Food Trucks of all kinds to eat, or simply to test! All types of cuisine will be present: Vietnamese, vegetarian, burger, pastry … The hardest thing will be to choose!

In order to live a real cultural experience and to make this event more dynamic, street concerts will be proposed. You will find the DJ set MIGUELITO SUPERSTAR and DJ set ZONZO on Saturday, and DJ set IVAN IVANOVICH and DJ set BUSA on Sunday. In addition, there will be 5 STREET MUSIC EXPERIENCES to make sure you have an unforgettable time.

market crafts light crowd tourist activity food stand

The market is therefore present this weekend of 20 and 21 November, but also the first weekend of December, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December 2021. Two time slots are available: from 12:00 to 17:00 or from 17:30 to 22:00. These times offer more opportunities to visit, but also two different atmospheres: one during the day and one at night. There is bound to be one that suits you!

The entrance fee is 5€, and it is recommended to book your place in advance on their website (https://palomarketfest.com/es/home), in order to be sure to have a place.

Regarding accessibility, you can get there by metro (SELVA DE MAR (L4)) or by bus (H14, H16/ N.BUS: 12, 29, 30). There is a bike park right at the entrance of the market, so don’t hesitate to rent a bike to get there!

5 reasons to visit Barcelona in November!

When we think of visiting Barcelona, the first idea we have is to go there in summer, to enjoy the beach, the sun and the eternal parties. You are quite right! But Barcelona is a real destination for all seasons, especially in autumn or winter, and we’ll prove it to you.

Pleasant weather and temperatures

Visiting Barcelona in summer means that you can enjoy great weather and high temperatures throughout your stay. However, when you want to do something other than go to the beach, this temperature can become a handicap. In November, temperatures hover around 12 degrees, with an average of 5 days of rain in a month. This makes the weather very pleasant, especially when compared to other European cities in the same season.  Visiting Barcelona in November allows you to enjoy the city without being too cold or too hot, while enjoying the constant sunshine!

barceloneta beach barcelona empty volleyball autumn winter sand holidays enjoy

Less tourists

The most interesting thing about going on holiday in the low season is how few people are present in the tourist areas. This is especially true in November, as there are no school holidays during this period. It is therefore more pleasant to walk along Las Ramblas, the beach, or even your bike paths as you won’t feel like you are suffocating under the tourist rush. It’s also the perfect time to take beautiful souvenir photos without having a stranger come and spoil it!  This is also the same situation in the restaurants, you will not need to make a long queue to be able to taste good tapas. It is not uncommon to find yourself face to face with a local, in the restaurant or in the street, which is a real cultural immersion.

Enjoying the local gastronomy

Speaking of restaurants, November is the perfect month to come and discover the local gastronomy. With the sun setting earlier and cooler temperatures, an evening out at a good local restaurant seems like the perfect activity! From the ever-popular Paella to Arroz Caldoso and Fricandó, Barcelona has plenty of specialities to warm you up after a long day of exploring. If you want to take a sweet break, don’t hesitate to stop at one of the many chocolate shops in the city to enjoy a good hot chocolate or churros con chocolate!

the Arroz Caldoso friendly dish winter spain barcelona family typical restaurant local rice

Many indoor activities

If you are unlucky enough to find that your holiday falls on the only rainy days of the month, or that the temperature is too low for you, don’t worry! Barcelona is full of indoor activities. Whether it’s the Gaudi houses, the Sagrada Familia, the aquarium, or one of the many museums (over 55!), you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’re more of a shopping enthusiast, you can stroll through the Corte Ingles, the Maremagnum or the authentic Boqueria market while staying dry!

picasso museum barcelona family culture discovery activity leisure holiday

Last but not least,the price

If, despite all these points, you are still sceptical about the idea of taking your holiday in November, you should know that this is one of the cheapest seasons. Whether it’s for transport or accommodation, it’s the opportunity to offer yourself a dream trip that you couldn’t afford in high season!

Don’t hesitate to visit Barcelona in November!

La Castanyada: the international chestnut festival

This traditional and popular festival, deeply rooted in Catalonia, is celebrated on All Saints’ Day (1 November), but also the day before (31 October).

The tradition of this festival is to eat chestnuts. Chestnuts are traditionally eaten on the day before and the day of Castanyada, but they can be found at street vendors in Barcelona at any time in late October.

What is it?

Chestnuts are roasted chestnuts on charcoal grills and often sold wrapped in newspaper, perfect for warming company when it is cold in Barcelona. Panellets are also very common in Barcelona at this time of year. They can be described as small almond-flavoured balls covered with pine nuts. These snacks are served in coconut, lemon or chocolate flavours. They are beautiful and traditional, and you can find them mainly in local bakeries. If you visit Barcelona during this period, this is a must-have dessert, which can also be used as a souvenir!

If you have a salty palate, you can also find sweet potatoes during the Castanyada. These little delicacies will warm you up from the inside out, often accompanied by a glass of sweet traditional muscatel wine.

chestnut, autumn, october, november, eating, food street, barcelona

Where does this festival come from?

Castanyada is a pagan tradition – like Magosto in Galicia or Asturias or Halloween in the Anglo-Saxon countries – whose origins date back to the 18th century. There are several legends that explain these beginnings. It is said that before All Saints’ Day, families gathered to watch over their dead. In order to survive, they stocked up on the first fruits of autumn, mainly chestnuts, legumes and sweet potatoes washed down with sweet wine (today’s Muscat). This custom gave rise to the emblematic figure of the “castanyera”, who prayed while the chestnuts were roasting.

Another theory is that the festival was for bell ringers, who rang the bells all night to remind the faithful of the need to pray for the souls of their dead. Whenever they rested, they regained their strength by eating what people brought them, in this case the fruits of autumn.

How is it celebrated?

Although most festivities in Catalonia include wild street parties, dancing, costumes and fireworks. The castanyada is more of a quiet celebration, with most families going to the cemetery to lay flowers and then spend time with their loved ones. If you are in Barcelona during this festival, do as the locals do and visit one of the city’s most beautiful cemeteries, the Poblenou Cemetery.

cemetery, visit, poblenou, Barcelona

New cycle paths in Barcelona to encourage the use of soft mobility.

Apart from being a leisure activity and a family sport accessible to all, cycling is becoming one of the best means of urban transport. More ecological than the car, healthier than public transport, and faster than walking, the bicycle is more than ever a sustainable solution to the ills of today’s society, and the Barcelona City Council has understood this.

In recent years, Barcelona has made a major effort to increase the city’s network of cycle paths and become a cycle-friendly city. From 2015 to today, the kilometres of cycling infrastructure have doubled to the current 240 kilometres of network. These steps are in line with the objectives set out in the 2024 Urban Mobility Plan (PMU), where the City Government commits to strengthening sustainable travel, moving towards a more sustainable, healthy and safe mobility.

bike land cycle path bike barcelona palm tree holiday born bike tour

The need for sustainable mobility has been taken on board by city dwellers, even after COVID 19. The month of September saw an increase of 22.4% in cycling on working days, which proves this trend. In view of the increase in the use of this means of transport, the municipal government wishes to increase and improve the current network of cycle paths. In total, the new package includes 28 new actions that will take place between 2021 and 2023.  This includes 44.3 kilometres of the cycle network: 32.6 kilometres of new cycle paths will be created and 11.7 kilometres of the current network will be improved.

This means that by 2023, the city will have 272.6 kilometres of cycle network. To make this possible, Barcelona City Council is planning an investment of 30.8 million euros.

bike land cycle path bike barcelona palm tree holiday born bike tour arc de triomphe

Among the new cycle paths you can find

– Plaça Catalunya (Ciutat Vella – Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya)

– Còrsega (Freser – Castillejos)

– Vía augusta (Laforja to Bonanova)

– Fabra y Puig (avinguda Meridiana – plaça Virrey Amat)

– Escòcia (Arnau de Oms – Avinguda Meridiana)

– Independència – badajoz (Sant Antoni María Claret – Passeig Marítim)

– Mallorca (Clot Tarragona)

– Joan de Borbó (plaça Idrissa Diallo – Escar)

– Travessera de les Corts (Numancia – Joan Güell)

– Avinguda Roma (Tarragona – València)

And many more to discover on the website of the Barcelona City Council!

CICLOBCN21

CicloBCN21 is a new international cycling event that will take place from 5 to 10 October 2021. This year’s slogan is “Pedalem ciutats i territori”, which means “We pedal cities and regions”. CicloBCN21 will include three bicycle congresses: the EuroVelo and Cycle Tourism 2021 Congress, the 17th Iberian Congress “Bicycles and Cities” and the 7th International Bicycle Congress.

These three events will include exhibition areas, meetings between professionals, technical visits and activities in various public areas. Most of the events will take place at the AXA Auditorium. Their aim is to promote the central role of bicycles and to reaffirm the commitment of the city’s institutions and inhabitants. Indeed, the bicycle appears to be one of the best ways to face the current and future challenges we are facing, especially from an environmental point of view. This is why these kinds of events are crucial today.


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EuroVelo and Cyclotourism:

EuroVelo and Cycle Tourism conference, organised since 2012, is the main forum on cycle tourism in Europe, promoted by the European Cyclists’ Federation. The event serves to highlight cycle tourism in Europe, and in particular the roll-out of the EuroVelo network, a set of fifteen transnational cycle tourism routes that cross Europe from one side to the other. The conference will bring together, among others, tourist operators from Barcelona, transport companies, universities, tourist organisations, public authorities and, of course, bicycle users.

In Catalonia, the development of cycling has many advantages. It allows us to participate in a more sustainable form of tourism, reaching a wide audience and, above all, being able to extend to all seasons. In addition, the project to extend and consolidate the EuroVelo 8 route between Cadiz and Cyprus, which passes through Catalonia, is a development asset that should not be overlooked.

7th International Bicycle Congress of Catalonia

The International Bicycle Congress is the main forum where public administrations, professionals in the sector, cycling organisations and users in Catalonia can discuss the latest developments and exchange experiences on the world of cycling.

The “Catalan Cycling Strategy 2025” will play a central role at this year’s congress. This is a document recently approved by the Government of Catalonia that proposes several actions to promote cycling as an active and sustainable mode of transport, both for daily travel and for leisure, sport and tourism. A strategy designed with the clear objective of gaining the support of the rest of the Catalan administrations and organisations linked to the bicycle sector.

 17th Iberian Congress “Bicycles and Cities”.

This congress is a joint initiative organised by ConBici, the national coordinator for the defence of the bicycle in Spain, and the Portuguese Federation of Cycle Tourism and Bicycle Users (FPCUB). Its objective is to present the most important news and experiences related to cycling in Spain and Portugal. A congress organised by cycling organisations, with a special role played by social initiatives related to the world of cycling.

Auditorium Axa Barcelona congresse SPORT professional tourism

Visit Barcelona in 3 days

You’ve decided to give yourself a few days off and have booked your flight to the Catalan capital but once you’re there you’re in trouble! You only have a few days to visit the big city and you don’t know where to start, don’t panic, we have prepared a guide to visit Barcelona in 3 days.

Day 1 – The historical center

The Holy Cross Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter

What better way to start than in one of Barcelona’s most emblematic neighborhoods? The Barrio Gòtico is what you might call the city’s historic center. A medieval district, you can discover the Sant Jaume square, the Plaça del Rei, the Barcelona History Museum, the Plaça Nova, the Plaça del Pi and above all the Holy Cross Cathedral, considered one of the city’s most important monuments. Don’t just admire it from the outside, the 7€ entrance fee is worth it, cloister, choir, chapels, you won’t know where to look

Holy Cross Cathédral of Barcelona

Walk on the Rambla

The Rambla is a must-see avenue in Barcelona and is a must during your stay. It is the busiest pedestrian avenue and connects the port of Barcelona to the Plaça Catalunya for approximately 2km. Going down to the port you will be able to observe the Grand Theatre of the Liceu, the mosaic of Joan Miro, the Plaça Reial and the Güell Palace.

The Boqueria market

Also located on the Rambla you will find the Boqueria market. The oldest market in Barcelona, you can’t miss its entrance marked by a large portal in the Art Nouveau style.

Casa Batlló and Casa Mila

Both symbols of Barcelona, we owe these creations to the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Located on the Passeig de Gracia, it takes about 20 minutes to walk from the market. Both registered in the world heritage of the UNESCO, the Casa Batlló can also be known as Casa del Ossos due to its balconies in the shape of skull and the Casa Mila under the name of La Pedrera in reference to the cliffs from which Gaudi would have been inspired. Our article will introduce you to these two essential works in more detail.

Casa Batlló of Barcelona

Day 2 – Gràcia

Güell Park

Built between 1900 and 1914, the Güell Park was built to house gardens and about 60 houses, but due to a lack of budget, only 4 houses were built. Divided in 2 parts (one paying and the other free) it is in the paying zone that you will be able to admire the wavy bench and the mosaic salamander. Don’t hesitate to go up to the Mirador de Virolai, which will offer you a panoramic view of the most beautiful places in Barcelona.

Park Güell of Barcelona

The Bunkers del Carmel

Let’s continue with another point of view which are the Bunkers del Carmel. Located on the Turo de la Riviera on an old anti-aircraft base, they offer a 360° view of the city. From the Parc Güell it is a 20-minute walk, but you can also get there by bus.

Views from the Bunkers del Carmel

The Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau

Our path continues towards the Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau. Formerly a public hospital, it now hosts exhibitions. A visit to the different buildings that trace the history of the place is possible but if you are in a hurry you can just observe its architecture from the outside.

The Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau

The Sagrada Familia

A must-see is the Sagrada Familia. Major work of Gaudi, this basilica is classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO and is the most visited monument in Spain. Although it will not be completed until 2026, it is well worth the visit from the inside, let yourself be enchanted by the colors of the stained glass windows and the spectacular architecture of the interior.

Sagrada Familia of Barcelona

The El Born neighborhood

To finish this day nothing better than a walk in the El Born neighborhood. Together with the Barrio Gotico it forms the old town of Barcelona, old stores, tapas bars, gothic churches, Picasso museum, Music Palace, you will not lack things to see. Don’t forget the Citadel Park and the Arc de Triomphe in this neighborhood.

Park de la Cituadella de Barcelona

Day 3 – Montjuïc Hill

Plaça Espanya

To begin this last day of visit we give you an appointment on the Plaça d’Espanya. Built in 1929 for the Universal Exhibition according to the plans of the architect Puig y Cadafalch, this square is recognizable by its large sculpture installed in the center of the huge traffic circle. Around the square you can also find Las Arenas, an old bullring transformed into a shopping center, on its roof you can enjoy a breathtaking view.

Plaça Espanya of Barcelona

The MNAC

The National Art Museum of Catalonia is located in front of the Plaça d’Espanya, passing by the Magic Fountain. Housed in a palace, it is one of the most interesting museums in Barcelona and one of the largest in Spain. It houses the richest collection of Romanesque art in the world!

MNAC of Barcelona

Montjuic Park 

The green lung of the city, take the Montjuic cable car to get there. The park is home to green spaces and gardens as well as museums such as the Olympic Museum and the Joan Miro Foundation. A good opportunity to enjoy beautiful views of the sea and the city, visit the botanical gardens, museums and historical monuments.

Montjuïc Park of Barcelona

The Olympic facilities 

In order to host the 1992 Olympic Games, many sports facilities had to be created, which you can visit today on Montjuic hill. You can see the Olympic stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Calatrava Earth, the Sports Palace of Barcelona and the Pavilion of Industrial Spain.

Olympic facilities

The Castle of Montjuic

In the park of Montjuic you can also find the Castle. Built in 1640 to protect the city from Catalan rebels, Montjuic Castle was later converted into a prison and then a military museum in 1960. The visit, which will cost you 5€, will allow you to walk around the ramparts, visit the military museum and admire the magnificent panorama of the Barcelona coastline.

The Magic Fountain

To close these 3 days in Barcelona we suggest you return to the Plaça Espanya to enjoy tapas before enjoying the show at the Magic Fountain. Located between the MNAC and the square, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic welcomes the public every evening from Wednesday to Sunday (from 8pm from November to March, and from 9pm from April to October) with light shows on a musical background.

Now you know how to visit Barcelona in 3 days! Visiting the city by bike can also be rewarding, especially since we offer guided tours with local guides. Choose the Gothic to Modernism Bike Tour if you want to visit the points of the first day or the Montjuic Bike Tour to discover the last day itinerary by bike.

This summer do not get bored with the museums of Barcelona

Concerts, poetry, cinema and guided tours, among the multitude of scheduled activities.

For some time now, many museums have been organizing activities that go beyond the usual exhibitions. The summer that is now beginning is a good example of this desire of museums to be not only a place to go to observe historical or valuable objects or where to acquire knowledge from static pieces, but also to be cultural dynamizers from very diverse activities and a meeting point for citizens. From the end of June to the end of September, the museum spaces of the city of Barcelona, both municipal and consortium and also many private, mount dozens of proposals ranging from film screenings to concerts and poetry recitals, as well as courses and workshops, guided tours and dynamic, open days, and even games of clues and trivia. There will be something for everyone and for all age groups.

projection of a movie in the Park Güell of Barcelona

Some of the summer activities of the museums, moreover, have two singularities compared to most of those organized by these facilities in the other seasons: there are many more in outdoor spaces, and in the afternoon-evening time slot. Among the multitude of proposals that you will find, we mention for example the free express tours organized by El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, the outdoor film series of the Museum of History of Barcelona (MUHBA) to be held in a unique space such as Park Güell and will be called Portraying Barcelona on the threshold of the XXI century, or the itineraries by sea of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona (MMB), one aboard a traditional sailboat and another with the historic pailebote Santa Eulàlia. Precisely the MMB starts this summer a virtual escape room entitled Mar adentro… guardas del tiempo, and, with three other spaces, the Botanical Garden of Barcelona, the Museu d’Arqueología de Catalunya and the Centro de Cultura Contemporánea de Barcelona, organizes the fifth edition of the cultural trivia team Museum Quiz Summer Tour, a free activity with prior registration inspired by the pub quiz, a question and answer contest played in the pubs of Great Britain.

Music will be very present in the summer program of the museums, and, in addition, you can see and hear concerts in charming places. The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes, the Palau Güell, Casa Vicens, the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Montjuïc Castle and the Museum of the History of Catalonia are some of the emblematic places that will host these shows. On the other hand, there are those that make summer casals related to the theme in which they are specialized, as is the case of the Egyptian Museum or the Design Museum of Barcelona, while the Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món offers the casals combined visits with workshops. There are spaces that will live a particularly intense month of July, such as the Arts Santa Monica, scene of the international festival of contemporary art and charity Kronos Art Barcelona and the emerging photography festival Art Photo Bcn.

Check all the details of the activities on the websites of the respective museums and cultural facilities, and also on the websites of the Institute of Culture of Barcelona.

You can also spend the summer with our bike tours and enjoy several of the museums presented.

The Copenhagenize Index

The Copenhagenize Index is the most comprehensive and holistic ranking of cycling cities on Earth. Being a biennial index since 2011 for its 5th edition (in 2019) it has been months of research and work. Creating an inventory of urban cycling around the world is not an easy task.

Why did this index was created?

In early 2011 a discussion started at Copenhagenize Design Co. about which cities are really the best for urban cycling. Working with a large number of cities to help them improve, it was necessary to be able to offer them an international reference.

Initially for internal company use, they soon realized that it was probably useful to make it public but only the Top 20.

How is it calculated?

The Copenhagenize Index awards points to cities for their efforts to re-establish cycling as a feasible, accepted and practical mode of transportation.

Scorecard and parameters

Cityscape parameters (0-4 points)

1.         Cycling infrastructure

2.         Cycling facilities

3.         Traffic calming

Cultural parameters (0-4 points)

4.         Gender repair

5.         Bicycle modal share

6.         Increase in modal share over the past 10 years

7.         Safety indicators

8.         Image of the bicycle

9.         Transport bikes

Ambition parameters (0-4 points)

10.       Advocacy

11.       Policy

12.       Bike sharing

13.       Urbanism

If you want more details on all the parameters, please visit their explanatory page.

How to read it?

this picture shows how to read the index

The index of 2019

The Copenhagenize Index of 2019

The last one was published in 2019 and we hope to see the new edition very soon and why not a rise of Barcelona in the ranking.

The benefits of cycling for the health of children

Several times in our blog we have talked about the benefits of cycling both in the economic plan as healthy or ecological as for example with this article. But always referring to adults.

In today’s article we will focus on children, who also have every right to use the bike and that from their early years. We will then see the benefits of cycling for the physical and mental health of children.

  • A great dose of oxygenation 

From their earliest days, children of the Alpha generation are bathed in the technologies: screens, video games, etc.. Cycling is one of the best outdoor activities for children, it allows them to get outdoors and breathe freshness.

  • Increased endurance

Work their cardio without really realizing it, that’s the advantage of pedaling outdoors, with your family or friends. Uphills, downhills, curves or obstacles, your child will do a respiratory workout. In this way, they will work on their cardio, endurance and breathing.

  • Improved coordination 

Thighs, arms, abdominal girdle, all these muscle groups are worked while cycling. Starting with the dandy horse from the age of 2 years (yes yes, the one we presented in the previous post, but more modern) you will learn very quickly the coordination and body control.

By handling the bike better and better and anticipating accelerations, brakes and direction changes your child will gain in self-esteem, precision, agility and balance.

  • A better mentality

With the practice of cycling, your future cyclist will develop certain reflexes and gain confidence in his motor skills. And, of course, the practice of sport helps to prevent several diseases in the long term, such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. 

picture of a child riding a bike on a bike lane

Getting your children used to physical activity when they are young is a way to instill in them good habits and a taste for a healthy lifestyle. And above all, without forgetting the fact that they will have fun!

The history of the bicycle

It is very difficult to tell the history of the bicycle, from one person to another the inventor can be different according to the definition we have of a bicycle.

So as not to confuse you, we have selected 5 key dates that retrace the history of the bicycle and in addition, a small video showing the evolution over time.

1817 – It all started without pedals

The ancestor of the bicycle is the dandy horse, invented by the German Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn in 1817. It is a wooden vehicle with very little steel, two wheels in a row and a handlebar for steering. To move forward, you have to push yourself with your feet on the ground. Conceived in 1817, the invention was patented in 1818.

dandy horse invented by Karl Drais von Sauerbronn in 1817

1860’s decade – Pedals on the front wheel

In the 1860’s in Paris, the first pedal velocipedes were marketed by Sargent, Michaux and Vincent. Pierre Michaux, a locksmith, is said to have invented the pedal velocipede when a hatter brought him a draisienne with a faulty front wheel for repair. One of his sons would have tried it and would have complained about the inconvenience of keeping his legs up once the vehicle was launched. Pierre Michaux would then have imagined footrests positioned on the wheel which allows to turn the hub of the wheel.

first pedal velocipede created by Pierre Michaux in the 1860's decade

Decade of 1870 – Invention of the penny-farthing

The pedals being fixed on both sides of the front wheel hub, it was necessary to increase the size of the front wheel in order to give more impulse to the velocipede at each pedal stroke and thus go faster. The size of the rear wheel is reduced, serving only to maintain the balance of the velocipede. The first penny-farthing, Ordinary was born in 1872. It was a huge success with the bourgeoisie in England and France.

penny-farthing

1880’s – The modern bicycle

In 1884, the chain was invented by John Kemp Starley. He created, with the Coventry Sewing Machine Company, the bicycle with reasonable-sized wheels and a chain drive. In 1886, Peugeot started marketing these bicycles. Finally, in 1888, John Boyd Dunlop invented the tire and filed a patent. The bicycle became more efficient and more comfortable. In 1891, Edouard Michelin, perfects the tire by imagining the “removable tire”, it is the arrival of the inner tube. The two great names of the tire are still there today.

modern bicycle with a chain, equal wheels size and pedals in the middle

20th century – The bicycle of today

At the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the Second Industrial Revolution, the bicycle became the queen of transportation. The first Tour de France, won by Maurice Garin, is realized in 1903 and meets a real craze and allows to reinforce the popularity of the bicycle.

Finally, it is in the 1930’s that the use of a multi-speed system became widespread. Finally, it was not until the 1950s that the first derailleur appeared. We can now recognize our current bikes!

The first bike lane, with a pick and shovel

Today Barcelona has exactly 240 kilometers of bike lanes in the city. But do you know when the first bike lane in Barcelona was built?

It was not the City Council that built it, but the cyclists themselves who demanded the use of this means of transport in the city. Already in 1982 Amics de la Bici created an imaginary bike lane with a ride along the Paseo de Gracia and Provença.

A year later, in 1983 the Gracia Verde collective painted green what would become the first “pirate” bike lane on Passeig de Gràcia and Diputació. Using pick and shovel they lowered the curbs, painted the ground with “bike lane” and the drawing of a bicycle.

After the actions of Amics de la Bici and pressure from other groups in the City Council, that same year the first official bike lane was made on the street of Consell de Cent and Diputació, but it was still very dangerous for cyclists and could only be used on weekends.

Currently, although the number of bike lanes is increasing, several demands are still pending. Lanes not very connected, narrow, deformed lanes, dangerous crossings, Amics de la Bici tries to put forward all these problems. The main demand of Amics de la Bici is the safety of users, fairer regulations and cities for people.

As you can see, the first bike lane is quite recent and like all the others, it is not perfect. To continue to support the city’s cyclists the City Council aims to reach 308 kilometers of bike lanes before the end of its mandate, bike enthusiasts that we are we hope to reach this figure as soon as possible and not stop at those 308 kilometers.

5 reasons to visit Barcelona

We all know that Barcelona is a magical city and that without a doubt, you have to visit it, if you are still hesitating whether to come or not, today we present you 5 reasons why you should visit Barcelona.

Places of interest

If we had to list the 10 most characteristic things you can not miss during your visit to Barcelona. Without a doubt we would choose the following places. We would start the visit by the famous Sagrada Familia, one of the most characteristic works of Gaudi and that today is still under construction. We would continue the tour visiting La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, two emblems of the city that we are sure will surprise you. In the neighborhood of Gracia, and very close to the Batlló house, we will visit the Casa de Vicens, another work of art by Gaudí. A house of Moorish influence.

Other icons of the city are the Tibidabo, the Montjuic Castle and, of course, the Parc Guell. 3 places you should not miss thanks to their historical importance, the last two, and the Tibidabo to contemplate breathtaking views of the city.

Finally, we want to recommend 3 museums that we love such as the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Picasso Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Activity for the whole family

There is no better way to explore the city, and enjoy some time with family or friends, than by bike. Born Bike Barcelona offers cultural guided tours, private tours and bike rentals. Everything for you to enjoy Barcelona on wheels, and without having to worry about public transport. 

guided tours to explore the port area and the Mediterranean coast, enjoy a tour of Montjuic, the oldest Barcelona or even the tapas tour. The best tours for you to discover first hand everything that a city like Barcelona has prepared for you.

Gastronomy

Of course, visiting Barcelona and not eating anything typical of the area should be a sin. During your visit to Barcelona, as you explore all its corners, taste typical dishes such as pa amb tomata, the most traditional dish that serves as both breakfast and tapa. Another of the star dishes and even celebrated abroad are the calcots. Onions cooked on the grill and then eaten with a romesco sauce. 

Other classics such as coca catalana, escalivada, butiffara with mongetes or roast chicken a la catalana, can not miss on your menu. Or the star dish of every December 26th, the cannelloni. Made with all the leftovers from the previous days.

Finally, and for the sweetest palates, savor sweets such as panellets, crema catalana, xuixos or buñuelos de cuaresma.

Supporting local commerce 

Due to the current situation, another reason why we want to encourage national tourism and your visit to Barcelona is to support local commerce, which is suffering so much from the consequences of the coronavirus. 

That is why we recommend that you sit on the terrace of your neighborhood bar, establishments dedicated to tourism or small family-run lodgings. Another tip we want to share with you is to share your experience with family, friends and even social networks and platforms such as tripadvisor. All these recommendations help future users to get a better image of the establishment and, as we all know, are of great importance in the modern times in which we live.

Finally, we suggest that you make reservations. By making these reservations, you are helping the establishment to manage its resources in a better way and this translates into less waiting time for its users. However, there are many establishments that have this reservation system, such as bars, adventure activities, tours and even parking lots. If this is your case, we want to remind you that you can compare and book your parking space at the airport of El Prat, Barajas or whatever your airport of departure is with Vuelapar. With this platform, you will be able to compare and book your parking space saving time and money.

Weather 

In Barcelona you will enjoy an enviable climate. Winters are characterized by being mild, and usually does not fall below 8 degrees and with an average of 4 days of rain per month. And on the other hand, summers are warm but without reaching extreme temperatures. With minimum temperatures of 20 degrees and maximum temperatures of 29 degrees, with an average of 2 days of rain per month. The autumn and spring months are also characterized by being very mild and with pleasant temperatures. In conclusion, a perfect climate so you do not have to worry and enjoy your visit to Barcelona to the fullest.

Riding a bike makes you happy

We’re not kidding, and we’re not just saying that because you’re passionate about cycling. Cycling allows our body the production of endorphins, the more scientific will already know what it is, but if you do not know endorphins are also known as the hormone of happiness.

What are endorphins?

As we have already told you, endorphins are the hormone of happiness, but from a more scientific point of view they can be defined as a neuropeptide whose function is to stimulate the areas of the brain that produce the sensation of pleasure.

As a natural drug, endorphins are classified as endogenous opiates due to their chemical composition and their effects are similar to those produced by opium derivatives.

Why do we produce endorphins?

Cycling training can have as side effects muscle inflammation, fatigue and stress, with the endorphins produced you can counteract these negative feelings and provide a sense of wellbeing.

  • Endorphins as an anxiolytic

Pedal for 20 minutes at 70% of your maximum heart rate and the secretion of endorphins will reduce negative emotions such as stress. The effects generated will last up to 6 hours afterwards.

  • Endorphins as an analgesic

It is normal to feel better after a cycling session, even if you were in pain before. Endorphins also act as an analgesic. Muscle and tendon pain will be reduced for 4 hours.

  • Endorphins as anti-fatigue

They allow the reduction of exhaustion by slowing down the cardiac and respiratory rhythms.

this picture is a foto of a violet bike in front of the beach, it was taken in the Llobregat River mouth

Endorphins are not the only benefits of cycling, in this article we present you the different benefits of cycling.

Do you want to get a shoot of endorphins?

Don’t hesitate to book your tour with our guides or simply rent our bikes for the time you want.

International Museum Day

Every year since 1977, ICOM organizes the International Museum Day on May 18th. The aim of this day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important medium for cultural exchange and the enrichment of cultures.

After a year of pandemic that has affected us all, especially the world of culture, with serious economic, social and psychological repercussions, for this edition we could not find a better theme than “The future of museums: recovering and reimagining”.

ICOM poster on the occasion of the International Day of Museums on May 18, 2021

In Barcelona, the Night of the Museums of Barcelona is already organized on May 15. European initiative since 2005, during this night from 07:00PM until 01:00AM different museums, centers and cultural spaces attached to the event will offer free access to their local.

More than 70 museums will open their doors for you to come and recover what the pandemic took from us. Museums such as La Pedrera, the Picasso Museum, the Palacio Güell, etc. Visit the official website for more information about the museums participating in this event.

With the Montjuïc Bike Tour we organize you can visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia but to fully enjoy this event nothing better than renting a bike and visit each museum or center as you wish.

Don’t forget, on May 15th the Night of the Museums in Barcelona and on May 18th the International Museums Day!

The RACC’s study scared us…

RACC carried out a study on cycling in Barcelona in 2020 and we cannot say that the results are very positive.

The most worrying thing is the fact that 38% of bicycle users in Barcelona admit not knowing the traffic regulations. However, 87% of cyclists consider that they circulate correctly.

Faced with these figures, the president of the RACC, Josep Mateu, has demanded a “minimum of training” ending what could be a licence. Of the surveys conducted, 76% are those that would be “in agreement” or “very in agreement”.

On the other hand, this survey highlights the figure that 24% of users recognize using the mobile while riding a bike, and 36% wear headphones and in the case of those under 20 years are 55%.

It is also noted that 56% of cyclists wear helmets despite the fact that it is not mandatory and that they grow from 55% to 60% who feel vulnerable to driving.

In the light of the report’s findings, RACC has made a number of recommendations in addition to increasing training. These include growing the bicycle road network and improving its quality and signage, establishing mandatory liability insurance to cover accidents or boosting the use of bike registration to minimize the risk of theft.

But you can also visit our article on how to go safely by bike, we present you the main signs you should know to go safely

Sunsets on bicycle

Barcelona is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Spain, with almost 200 kilometers of bike lanes, used both for those who use the bike as a means of daily transportation or for those who are just walking around the city, getting to know it and discovering its streets.

In Born Bike Tours Barcelona we propose a tour of the beach and the Barcelona neighborhood. Where you will find a complete tour, passing through the following points:

  • Christopher Columbus Monument
  • Drassanes
  • Port Vell
  • Palau del Mar
  • Barceloneta neighborhood
  • Olympic Port
  • Forum of Cultures
  • Parc Diagonal Mar
  • Poblenou neighborhood
  • Olympic Village (Olympic Games 1992)
  • Ciutadella Park

The tour runs almost entirely on peaceful roads without traffic, bike lanes and zones 30, very safe for all ages.

We accompany you with experienced guides who know the city and its history. In the course of the tour we will make several stops to liste, contemplate and enjoy each point and where you can take your pictures and your memories of the tour.

Live Barcelona on wheels!

Barcelona and photography

Many of the people who live in Barcelona are passionate about photography, but many tourists are too. We invite you to experience a photographic exhibition of the city where you will find all the magic that Barcelona hides.

Seventy photographs taken by women that explore the links between the history of the city and the images that women photographers have built.

The exhibition, which includes seventy images distributed chronologically, is a unique opportunity to vindicate the role that women have played in the history of photography in our city. Because, although the historical narrative has left them in the background, without them, without the photographers, it is impossible to know the real Barcelona.

Photography by Barcelona.cat

The exhibition makes visible the line of continuity of the photographic practice of those women who placed the city at the center of their creative works, in a period ranging from the thirties to the early nineties.

You can visit this exhibition focused on women, photography and the city until June 6, 2021. In the Plaça Comercial, al savant d’El Born CCM (Plaça Comercial, 12 – Ciutat Vella – Barcelona)

Barcelona on your mobile

When we went on vacation, we have all the information on our mobile phones: tickets, maps, recommendations, schedules and addresses. We will present the applications that you can download today so as not to miss anything in Barcelona.

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Barcelona A Butxaca is a mobile application of the Barcelona Municipal Council that offers information, services on culture. And in one click, you can store in a virtual bag all favorite acts or equipment. This allows you to have a quick access to everything.

Tibidabo is an application from the Tibidabo amusement park that allows you to experience many experiences and stay up to date with all the novelties of the park. A range of activities await you in Tibidabo! Check out all shows and entertainment scheduled per day and do not miss anything!

Zoo Barcelona is an application of the Barcelona Zoo allows visitors to know their location in the GPS enclosure.

Puntos de Interés de Barcelona: it is a complete application where you can discover the city and its neighborhoods, you can visit the natural and urban areas, museums and study centers and research and locate on the map of the city.

Literapoli BCN is a game that encourages reading and knowledge of the city. In which each player must locate various geographical points of the city where the action of a book takes place. Once it is geolocated at each location and after solving a test, each player is rewarded with new information and can continue to play.

Do not miss anything about Barcelona with these applications for your mobile.

If you want to know more about the history of Barcelona, follow our social links.
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa No. 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters from Barceloneta metro station L (4) Yellow
✉️Info@bornbikebarcelona.com.
🔹www.bornbikebikebarcelona.com.
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

House of the Punxes

The house of the Punxes stand out among the buildings that were created during the golden age of Barcelona, with Gothic inspiration and created in the modernist era of the early twentieth century, the work of architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, this house was built at the request of Bartomeu Terradas Brutau for each of his three daughters, Angela, Josefa and Rosa, receiving the name Casa de los Punxes by the needles that crown the six towers that crown the building.

The architect’s intention was that structurally it would look like a single architectural ensemble, but also included features characteristic of each of the owners, a fact that indicated to which of the daughters the house belonged, as can be seen on the facade of the corner that belongs to number 420 of the Diagonal, there is an interesting sculptural panel in which an angel is represented, a figure that alludes to the sister Ángela Terradas. The preparatory drawing made by Monserdà is in the archives of the Royal Catalan Academy of Fine Arts of Sant Jordi in Barcelona. Other decorative details that refer us to this property are found in the anagrams that, distributed as if they were a border, repeat the letters ATB, in reference to Ángela Terradas Brutau.

Josefa’s property went from Diagonal to Rosselló street, in whose back front we can find another ceramic panel drawn by Monserdà himself, where St. George is represented killing the dragon and we can read: “Patron Saint of Catalonia give us back our freedom”.

Right in the frame of this panel, in a strategic situation for the meaning that the figure of ST. George could represent, we find a familiar face sculpted. The male figure, with round glasses, large receding hairline and full lips, represents the great author of the project, the architect Josep Puig I Cadafalch.

On the facades of Bruc street, we find two more ceramic panels. One depicts a vase full of roses, with the initials RTB, and the other, the figure of a girl surrounded by roses. This property belonged to the sister Rosa Terradas Brutau.

Visiting Park Güell

For those who still do not know the Park Güell, located in the foothills of the Collserola mountain range. The park was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, commissioned by the businessman Eusebi Güell. Built between 1900 and 1914, it was inaugurated as a public park in 1926. 

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Park Güell is a reflection of Gaudí’s artistic fullness: it belongs to his naturalistic stage, a period in which the architect perfected his personal style, through inspiration in the organic forms of nature, for which he put into practice a whole series of new structural solutions originated in his deep analysis of the ruled geometry, there you will be able to see.

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The Dragon Staircase, when you stand in front of it you will find a staircase that is organized in three sections, the one on the right served as a refuge or waiting space and is supported by a magnificent central column of conical shape, on the other hand Halfway up the staircase is the coat of arms of Catalonia and higher up is the dragon – or salamander – covered in trencadís, which has become the most popular image in the park.

The Pórtico de la Lavander, on the east side of the Greek Theater square, there is an original iron gate that leads to where the gardens of the Casa Larrard were, the old stately farmhouse that Güell adopted as his own house and that since 1931 is a college.

The Greek Theater or Plaza de la Naturaleza: in the middle of Park Güell is the Plaza de la Naturaleza, formerly known as Greek theater, its original name responded to the fact that it was planned for holding large outdoor shows, which could be seen from the terraces that surround it.

The Hypostyle Hall formed by 86 fluted columns that are inspired by the Doric order. The outermost ones lean, in an undulating movement and openly contrary to the rules of classical composition, while reinforcing the perception of their structural function. The colonnade is crowned by a cornice on which the undulating bench is located. A pipe arranged inside collects the rainwater that leaks from the square to store it in a large underground cistern, which has as a spillway the dragon’s mouth of the staircase.

Recommendation: spend an afternoon exploring the corners of Park Güell and enjoying the nature of Barcelona

Let’s rent a bike and discover !

If you want to know more about Barcelona, follow our social links
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters from metro station Barceloneta L (4) yellow
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

Walk in the Labyrinth of Horta

Barcelona is a city characterized by many qualities: history, architecture, nature and cycle paths. Neighborhoods are their own characteristic and the beauty of each different.

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Today let’s talk about the Labyrinth of Horta, a park transformed into a museum garden, which takes an architectural and design journey through the duality between neoclassicism and romanticism.

To get to know the park, you will find a Chinese gate, a vestige of an oriental garden which has now disappeared, and continue through the boxwood garden (Buxus sempervirens), a furtive garden that preserves the spirit of the Italian designer, landscaper and gardener Domenico Bagutti., creator of the park commissioned by Antoni Deszanjas, Marquis de Llupià i Alfarràs. From this garden, born of careful pruning, there are paths leading to the temples of Ariadne and Danae, to the domestic garden and also to the romantic garden, which occupies the entire left flank of the park.

An interesting fact is that Sundays are free, you can enter with family, friends or alone and walk through the different parts of the park.

Modernism and Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that is characterized by its architecture and beauty, since 1984 UNESCO has declared 9 architectural works as world heritage, seven of them by the architect Antoni Gaudí, along with 2 buildings by Lluís Domènech I Montaner.

The first buildings in the Catalan capital that entered the UNESCO list were Park Güell and La Pedrera, both by the architect Antoni Gaudí. The next to enter the list was also the work of Gaudí, the Palau Güell, built in 1889 on behalf of Gaudi’s great patron, Eusebi Güell.

The two great architectural works of the architect Lluís Domènech I Montaner, the Palau de la Música Catalana (1908) and the Hospital de la Santa Creu I de Sant Pau (1930) were declared World Heritage Sites in 1997 and are the only buildings in Barcelona with this classification that are not the work of Gaudí.

The list is closed by the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, the Crypt Colònia Güell and Casa Vicens, which were declared World Heritage in 2005.

Historical bicycle tour

Today we will show you one of the most interesting place in Barcelona and what it behinds.

The archeological remains excavated and that can be seen today inside the old Born Market show us the history of Barcelona from medieval times until the beginning of the 18th century, when life in this part of the city was suddenly interrupted by the outcome of the War of Succession.

Not all the remains have the same entity nor have they been preserved in the same way. We must keep in mind that the remains preserved before the 13th century were not part of the urban core of Barcelona, although they were related. On the other hand, from the 13th century, the structures onwards the city, as a consequence of its growth.

Despite being an area far from the city of Barcino, the Born area preserves in its subsoil burial from medieval times.

The first archeological remains documented in areas close to the Born date from the low-Imperial period. In this period an extensive necropolis was located, the main nucleus of which was located in what, some centuries later, would be the subsoil of Santa Maria Del Mar. No burials from this period have been located inside the old market, but in the archeological intervention of the Commercial Square in 1991, fourteen were located.

The athletic tower in Barcelona

In our bike tours Barcelona we have climbed the Montjuic mountain where we find the athletic tower built by the architect Santiago Calatrava, between 1989 and 1992, it is one of the best known elements that are part of the so-called Olympic Ring, referring to the whole of facilities that were built and remodeled on the occasion of the Barcelona 92 Olympic Games

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Its enormous white and curved silhouette, reminiscent of an Olympic torch celebration, can be seen from many points of the city. Its avant-garde design and original shapes have made it a famous element of Montjuïc and a symbol of Barcelona. 

The tower is a clear tribute to the modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. Its promoter was the Telefónica company, which is why it is also known as the Telefónica tower. 

A curious fact is that, due to its shape, the tower is also designed to act as a sundial, as the shadow of its central spire is projected on the Plaza de Europa, which is next to it. 

In addition to its functionality, its futuristic style of sloping lines and modern materials that evokes a moving image has made Torre Calatrava an architectural landmark in Barcelona. 

If you want to discover Barcelona on wheels, don’t miss our tours
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
A 50 metros estación metro Barceloneta L (4) amarilla
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

Live the Barcelona’s parks

The city of Barcelona is characterized by having large parks, full of nature and very beautiful structural designs, that is why we leave you a list of five parks, where you can enjoy a bike ride through Barcelona and beautiful sunny days in winter. 

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  • Ciutadella Park 

Built at the end of the 19th century, it was the first park designed specifically as a public park, and it is a space widely used for all kinds of recreational and cultural activities. It has more than a hundred plant species, with many hundred-year-old trees and interesting sculptures. 

-The address so you can visit it is passeig de picasso 21 of the Ciutat Vella district. 

  • Guinardó Park 

The Guinardó park has three well differentiated parts: an urban, which becomes the prelude to the great space that this green area occupies, another historical one and, in the highest part, the lush forest vegetation. Its landscaped terraces and pine forests make this place one of the most refreshing and placid green spaces in the city. 

-This park is located in the district of Horta-Guinardó. 

  • Botanical Garden 

The current Botanical Garden houses the legacy of a long tradition of gardens designed with the aim of studying, maintaining and preserving plant species. A space specialized in showing the biodiversity of the flora of the Mediterranean climate. It allows locating, in the proper geographic context, dozens of species that can be found in all the gardens of the city. They are plants that have adapted perfectly to the temperate climate even though they are typical of other latitudes. 

-To visit the botanical garden you should arrive at the Sants-Montjuïc district, carrer Doctor Font i Quer, 2. 

  • Gardens of Mossèn Costa i Llobera 

It is one of the most important gardens specialized in cacti and succulents in Europe. Facing the sea, sheltered by the Montjuïc mountain that welcomes them, they are located in a privileged viewpoint and a few minutes from the city center. 

-The gardens are located at Ctra Miramar, 38. 

  • Laberint d’Horta Park 

The Laberint d’Horta park includes the oldest preserved garden in the city. Born as a neoclassical garden with a touch of Italian physiognomy, it ended up as a romantic garden. 

The d’Horta labyrinth is located in the Horta-Guinardó district, in Passeig Castanyers, 1. 

Gaudí’s Barcelona

If there is an architect associated with Barcelona, that is, without a doubt, Antoni Gaudí. His mature works, such as La Pedrera, Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, are internationally known icons that attract thousands of visitors daily. However, in the city there are also several works by this great artist that are not so well known and that often, due to being far from the usual circuits, go unnoticed and make up a little-explored route, but no less spectacular. 

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Like the ones we list here: 

  • The Pavilions of Finca Güell 
  • The gate of Finca Miralles 
  • The pavement of Sant Pacià 
  • The Bellesguard Tower
  • The Vicens House 

If you want to know more about the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí you can do a bike tours with us.
Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters away from the Barceloneta L (4) yellow metro station
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20

Walk around the Arch of Triumph by bike

We started a new month and went out to walk the streets of Barcelona in search of new adventures.

Today we will make a tour by bicycle through the Arch of Triumph which was built on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1888, the Arch of Triumph led the way to the main entrance of the fair, in the park of the Ciutadella, which had just opened.

During the last third of the 19th century, the universal expositions were events of enormous social impact, since they allowed everyone to get to know the city that hosted them, as well as the cultural, economic, scientific and industrial potential of each country. In this sense, the Arch of Triumph was not only the access to the Universal Exhibition of 1888, but also the symbolic entry of Barcelone into the modern era.

At the height of the modernist movement in much of Europe, constructions inspired by previous eras were very common: the Neo-Gothic, the Neo-Mudejar in Spain or the Neo-Romanesque were some of the predominant styles.

Following this trend, the architect Josep Vilaseca designed a monument 30 meters high and of classical proportions, but with a very colorful decoration and full of symbolism. Thus, the artists who sculpted the decorative friezes represented, on each of the faces, a theme related to the city: Barcelona welcomes the nations (on the side of Passeig de Sant Joan, work of Josep Reynés), the Distribution of rewards to the participants of the Exhibition (on the side of Passeig de Lluís Comanys, work of Josep Llimona) and the allegories of Industry, Agriculture and Trade, on one side, and of Science and Arts, on the other. The famas (the winged figures of the buttresses) were sculpted by Manuel Fuxà and Pere Carbonell.

Finally, in the curve of the arch, the coat of arms of Barcelona can be seen, flanked by the coats of arms of the remaining 48 Spanish provinces, 24 on each face of the monument.

In our tour in Spanish we arrive at Plaça Sant Felip Neri

Among the narrow walls of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, we are in the Plaza de Sant Felip Neri, where we see holes in the walls, which originate in 1938, caused by a bombardment by the Francoist side during the war, in the middle of the capture of Barcelona. 

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This event caused the death of forty-two people, as can be read on the plaque that commemorates the memory of the victims since 2007. At the time of the bombing, the grounds of the current square were occupied by a medieval cemetery. Little remained after the bomb, which devastated nearby houses and caused some damage, still present, in the church. 

Ciutadella Park

We continue with our Tour in Spanish and now we find the Ciutadella Park, being the first park specifically designed as a public park and was built at the end of the 19th century. It is a space widely used for all kinds of recreational and cultural activities. It has more than one hundred plant species, with many hundred-year-old trees and interesting sculptures. 

Full of hundred-year-old trees, the Ciutadella Park contains a great diversity of elements: the monumental waterfall, 19th-century buildings now converted into museums, a lake for rowing boats, walks and numerous sculptures. Share space with the zoo.

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Come and enjoy a memorable experience!

The Barceloneta Tour

We continue with our tours in Spanish and we tour Barcelona by Bike. 

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Until the middle of the 18th century, La Barceloneta was a practically uninhabited area. In 1754 fishermen began to settle in this area of the city due to its proximity to the sea. 

Despite having acquired a more modern look, currently La Barceloneta still retains its special charm. Its narrow streets and facades darkened by the salt of the sea have made this area one of the most appreciated in Barcelona, a place with a quiet, maritime and family atmosphere that remains foreign to the big city. 

One of the main attractions of the neighborhood are its beaches, the largest, best known and busiest in the city. They have a great atmosphere and excellent services. 

If you want to know more about our tours you can stop by our place 
Born Bike Tours Barcelona 
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona 
At 50 meters Barceloneta metro station L (4) yellow 
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com 
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com 
📲 (+34) 93 319 00 20 

Bicycle repairs and rental in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities to travel by bicycle with more than 200 kilometers of bike lanes, where you can enjoy a walk along the Mediterranean coast, through the Gothic streets or enjoy a day on the Collserolla mountain.

If you are still in doubt about repairing that old bicycle, or renting one to enjoy Barcelona on wheels, we leave you five tips that will help you make that decision.

  • Enjoy a safer ride

The bicycle is a safe vehicle, you will walk through the city of Barcelona enjoying great views and places, using the safety of the bike lanes.

  • Easier and simpler

Mobility by bicycle is easier than in other means of transport. Did you know that the bike is faster than the car in short and medium urban distances? Through several door-to-door competitions, with the city center as the destination, it has been found that, in general, the bike is the fastest transport. in addition to being faster in short distances, it is ideal to combine with public transport

  • Be more sustainable and collaborate with the environment

The bicycle is a key factor in reducing the levels of environmental and noise pollution in cities. An, at the same time, it is the most energy efficient means of transport: it uses twelve times less energy than a car, even if it is full, to move a person over a kilometer, and fifty times less than a car occupied by only one person.

  • To enjoy more space

A cyclist occupies five times less space than a motorist, whether he is stationary or in motion. This data has very profound implications for the well-being of residents, who can enjoy peaceful, calmer, safer and noise-free spaces.

  • To always be on the move

Going by bike is one of the most beneficial exercises for health, since during the effort large muscle groups are mobilized. Of practiced regularly it can reduce resting heart and breathing rates.

If you want to know about bike rental or repair you can stop by our store Born Bike Tours Barcelona
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
50 meters away from the Barceloneta L (4) yellow metro station
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

The Cathedral of Barcelona

Cycling through the streets of the Gothic Quarter, we come across the current Barcelona Cathedral, it is Gothic in style, but it was built on the foundations of an early Christian basilica and a later Romanesque Cathedral. The works began on May 1, 1298 and lasted a century and a half. 

It was temporarily finished in 1417 with a simple wall, and it was not until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that the façade that we can see today was built. 

image of the Cathedral of Barcelona

On the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of Barcelona (1888), the works were resumed thanks to Manuel Girona i Agrafel and his sons, who were the promoters of said reforms, where the competition for the construction of the façade was called in 1882, establishing as a stylistic criterion to follow the Gothic. It was awarded to Josep Oriol Mestres, titular architect of the cathedral since 1855, who was inspired by the plans made in 1408 by Carles Galtés de Ruan. 

image of the cathedral of Barcelona

Sí quieres saber más sobre la catedral de Barcelona, pregunta por nuestros tours y te contaremos todo lo que sabemos de ella.
📍Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona
A 50 metros estación metro Barceloneta L (4) amarilla
✉️info@bornbikebarcelona.com
🔹www.bornbikebarcelona.com
📲(+34) 93 319 00 20

Spanish village in Barcelona

El Pueblo Español is a museum that offers contemporary art, architecture, crafts and gastronomy. The site is made up of 117 full-scale buildings, which make up a typically Spanish town with its streets, houses, squares, theater, school, restaurants and artisan workshops. 

statue of a woman in blue clothes from Pueblo Espanyol, in Barcelona

It was built for the international exhibition that was held in Barcelona in 1929, an idea promoted by Joseo Puig I Cadafalch (Catalan architect) where they created a small town that brought together the main characteristics of all the towns in Spain. They also worked together with Joseo Puig, Francesc Folguera and Ramon Reventós, and the artists Xavier Nogués and Miquel Utrillo, in order to achieve this exhibition, they made various trips through Spain taking photographs, drawings, observing the styles and creating concepts of the different places.  

Today there are various activities, exhibitions or events. 

Tourists can visit it by taking their ticket on the website  : www.poble-espanyol.com  

Our recommendation is to rent a bicycle and tour the mountains of Montjuic, where you will find various monuments, museums and historical buildings. 

Free museums in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city full of life and culture, the good thing is that we have free museums so that we can all enjoy them, it is only a matter of knowing the hours and days. 

image of a blue bike of Born Bike Tours Barcelona in front of the National Museum of Art of Catalunya
  • Picasso museum 

The museum has a collection of 4,249 works by the Malaga painter Pablo Picasso in the multiple media that he addressed, which is the most complete in the world in works of his youth. 

You can enter for free every Thursday from 5:00 p.m., the first Sunday of each month and on February 12 (Santa Eulàlia), May 18 (International Museum Day) and September 24 (La Mercè Day) 

www.museupicasso.bcn.cat  

  • Museum of the History of Catalonia  

The museum was created in 1996 by the Government of Catalonia, with the idea of narrating the history of Catalonia. 

You can see it for free It can be visited for free during the Sant Jordi and Santa Eulalia festivities, the Museum Day, and the days of the Catalan and Mercè days.

www.mhcat.cat  

  • Barcelona Center for Contemporary Culture (CCCB)  

Located in the Raval, its main theme is the city and urban culture. It bases its success on quality, a certain eclecticism, attention to a wide range of audiences and a singularity in the way it treats things, and its function is to link the academic world with creation and citizenship. 

You can visit it for free on Sundays 

www.cccb.org  

  • Catalonia art museum 

A must-see in the city with a tour of works of art from the 10th to the 20th century, highlighting above all its collection of Romanesque art, considered one of the most complete in the world. 

It can be visited for free on Saturdays from 3 pm, the first Sunday of the month, Museum Day and Catalonia and Mercè Days.  

www.museunacional.cat 

Bike Tours in Spain

image of a groupe of people with there bike in front of a building in Madrid, rent a bike

We are passionate about bicycles and luckily we are not the only ones  

That is why we decided to take a tour of Spain to visit different cities by Bicycle And today we arrive in Madrid where the guys from Rent & Roll (www.rentandrollmadrid.com)  

They will take you to know the city with their exclusive tours  

  • private tour for work agencies or family groups.
  • For those who want to visit Madrid at night
  • For those who travel at Christmas time and want to discover the magic of the lights of Madrid

And Surprise for wheel lovers!  

Because you can also rent your bike or go out to explore the city on skates  

image of a website named Rent & Roll Madrid, bikes rent

You can find them in
Calle Felipe IV, 10 28014 Madrid, Espagne
Or by phone (+34) 911484967 – (+34) 686178462
contact@rentandroll.es / www.rentandrollmadrid.com/

Get your bike ready and enjoy Barcelona

Get your bike ready and enjoy Barcelona

We really like healthy life and the city, that’s why we look for the perfect combination so that you can enjoy this summer of Barcelona by bike.

  • We carry out repairs and maintenance
  • We have answers and accessories
  • Review hardware and adjustments
  • Washing and greasing
  • Punctures and wheel centering

That is why we invite you to give life to that stored bicycle and accompany us to visit La Ronda Verda de Barcelona, a circuit that has about 72 kilometers of route and crosses different municipalities such as L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Montcada I Reixac, Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Sant Adrià de Besòs. There is also a variant that extends the round and incorporates the city of Badalona.

This route can be divided into six sections

  1. Collserola Park: The Collserola Park extends over 8,000 hectares. Forest areas with a great variety of plant formations of valuable biological diversity predominate.
  2. Parque Fluvial del Besòs: This section of the Ronda Verda connects the Parque de Collserola and the Front Marítimo. It has an approximate extension of five kilometers.
  3. Park of the Cordillera de Marina: This natural space is part of the Cordillera Litoral and has a total area of 2,086 hectares. The visitor has the opportunity to envoy Iberian villages, hermitages, monasteries and numerous fountains and recreation areas.
  4. Maritime Front: The Ronda Verda runs along the maritime fronts of Barcelona, Sant Adrià de Besòs and Badalona.
  5. Montjuïc Section: The itinerary in this section of the pool is numerous museums, sports facilities, parks and gardens. The tour has splendid views of the city of Barcelona and its surroundings.
  6. Llobregat Route: This route approaches the Llobregat basin, allowing connections with the river glare, the delta area and the Collserola Park.

A bicycle, a companion

We cheer you to take out that stored bicycle and rediscover the city on wheels, with its more than 200km of bicycle lanes to safely enjoy your ride.

Barcelona is an incredible city for cycling, walking the streets of Barceloneta, getting closer to the Parc de la Ciutadella, walking the wide streets of the Eixample such as Paseo de Gracia or visiting the neighborhoods and meeting friends.

That is why in Born Bike Tours Barcelona we carry out bicycle repairs so that you can enjoy a summer full of adventure, do sports or simply visit Barcelona.

We do review and maintenance so you can go for a walk without worries

Wash and grease so your bike is always ready

We repair punctures and also perform wheel centering

SURPRISE!

Because we are very anxious we give you a preview of our next blog post and we show you some of the routes you can do by bicycle.

From the Barcelona coast to Badalona.

It is a route of approximately ten kilometers, where you can see the entire seafront of the city, very easy to navigate since the entire itinerary is flat and you can surely enjoy incredible views. Starting near the Colón monument, passing by the Wy Hotel through the Forum area where you will find the “Diagonal Mar” shopping center and we will continue passing through the coastline until we reach Badalona.

It is an ideal route to do in the afternoon and end up enjoying the colors of the sunset next to the Mediterranean.

Bicycle Routes

We won the TripAdvisor Travelers of the Year award and we don’t want to stop posting cool things about Barcelona. 

That is why we decided to create different routes so that you can go cycling. 

bike, born bike tours barcelona, blue bikes, six bike, barcelona, Spain

The Mountain of Montjuic 

The Montjuic mountain (name attributed to the Montjuich etymology ”Mount of the Jews”) being a fortress, created as a strategic place to defend the city, where in 1751 the current castle was built, the work of Juan Martín Cermeño, who during the war of the Spanish Independence it was occupied by the French. 

Nowadays and thanks to the 1992 Olympic games we can find around it the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium (next to which is the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica Museum). 

Walking down Lleida street, you will find the old Palacio de los Deportes, now converted into the Barcelona Teatre Musical. You can also walk through various places of tourist interest such as the Pueblo Español, an enclosure built for the 1929 exhibition and which includes streets, squares and characteristic places from all over Spain, the Montjuic Telecommunications Tower designed by Santiago Calatrava. The Joan Brossa Gardens or the magic fountain of Montjuic that offers a night light show. 

Collserola 

You will find the great natural treasure in the ”Collserola Natural Park”, with more than eight thousand hectares of surface, where you can enjoy a bike ride through the mountains, one of the main routes is called “La carretera de las Aigües” where it begins on the Pla del Maduixers route (accessed from Avenida del Tibidabo) and ends in Plaza de Mireia. It is a path of low difficulty, since it is mostly flat, and it is where you can get to know one of the best views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. 

The good thing about this tour is that it is suitable for all bicycles and you will be able to visit emblematic buildings such as the Collserola tower and the Fabra observatory. 

Greenway of Llobregat 

Greenway of Llobregat  is the old route of the Manresa-Olván railway. It runs through a natural environment shaped by the passage of the Llobregat river. It is a route suitable for families and children due to its flatness and ease of travel, on it you can pedal along the Llobregat river, crossing tunnels and visiting the Gothic bridge or the Pedret Monastery. 

On this road you will find both vehicles, people walking or cyclists, since it is a route suitable for all kinds of walks and at the end you will cross the Llobregat river through a small bridge until you reach the Baells reservoir dam. 

You can find the face of Barcelona a few steps from our local Born Bike Tours Barcelona, From the metro station Barceloneta L (4) amarilla🚇
Visit our web  
www.bornbikebarcelona.com
Or write to 
info@bornbikebarcelona.com 
📍Born Bike Tours Barcelona find us Carrer de la Marquesa Nº 1 08003 Barcelona A 50 Mts. 

Barcelona is enjoying a short spring, which is perfect to experience by bicycle

February 20th, 2019

Are you taking advantage of these idyllic days in Barcelona?

Photo by Walkerssk in Pixabay.com

For some weeks now, Barcelona and, obviously, some other parts of the territory are rejoicing in some days of idyllic weather, perfect for enjoying the city by bicycle. This is something that “professionally” we call “not a very cold weather, neither a very warm weather”. You will not need a lot of cloth layers in order to feel the warmth of the bicycle exercise, but, even so you will not feel the sticky weather of the summer.

So, you should take advantage of free afternoons and weekends. Enjoy the parks and gardens of the city: Parc de la Ciutadella, Labyrinth of Horta, Montjuïc, Collserola… Practically every district of the city has a natural space. Although, if you are not looking for the refreshing green, you can take advantage of the fact that there are not so many brave swimmers, and go to ride through the Passeig Marítim. La Barceloneta is a neighborhood where, during weekends, it is difficult not to find some kind of activities. And if there are not any of them, the tapas (appetizers) that you can get there will be a marvelous consolation prize.

Even though, if you are the kind of person who prefers going shopping, our suggestion for you is taking advantage of the big network of bike lanes and visiting the nice and great markets of Barcelona. In addition to the big offer, especially talking about food, they are Modernist works of art, so you shouldn’t miss them if you are interested in the architecture of Barcelona.

This weekend you don’t have any excuse, clean the dust off your bike and go out for pedaling through Barcelona!

¿Why not?

Valentine’s Day has awakened a lot of critiques about romantic love. But, when we realises that, why not take the positive part of it?

 

Born Bike Tours Barcelona working for an inclusive celebration.

You can avoid the cold weather with the sofa, blanket and a film or… ¡with a bicycle!

January 21st, 2019

Ok, ok… We also like to take a break and collapse ourselves in the sofa. But let’s  never forget that the best way to get rid of the cold from our bodies is riding a bicycle, enjoying the city or some mountain route.

Photo by Luca, Papagnoc in Pixabay

This January has been very “refreshing” in Barcelona, but it hasn’t been serious enough to stop us from keeping pedaling. No matter how much our sofa has been calling us, thanks to the bicycle we have become the heroes of our movies. We have discovered new corners of our incredible, insatiable, traditional and intercultural city. We have pedaled up to our last breath in order to get the best views. And we have met some marvelous people.

Don’t succumb to the trap of falling into the blanket and do this by keeping yourselves active and happy. In addition, it gives to you the break that you need for facing all the daily challenges.

Don’t think more about it. You simply leave the sofa, ride your bicycle and you will suddenly realize that you are having a great time.

The January’s hill is lighter by bicycle

January 8th, 2019

The returning to the routine with some more kilos and less money could be very hard, because of that, the bicycle can be much more helpful than you think.

Photo by Kaique Rocha in pexels.com

This week a lot of people are returning to work, so it will be difficult to avoid the early mornings, the hurry and the work updates. In addition, if everything has gone as it should be these last dates, you have surely gained some weight, at the same time, our pockets and wallets have lost some volume.

So that’s our suggestion: put a bicycle in your life.

When you start to pedal to work every morning you will notice that you aren’t sleepy very quickly. You will avoid traffic jams and you will feel better physically, something that will help your mind to keep a high level during all day.

In addition, the bicycle will help you to burn these extra kilos which Christmas’ nougats have gifted you and without wasting money and saving us up the gym.

Have you been convinced? Be up for the #ToWorkByBike club, everything are benefits for you and your city.

#HappyNewYear pedaling!

December 31st, 2018

In this very especial date, we just want to wish you a happy new year 2019.

We wish you to achieve all your challenges with the same strength that we use to keep us pedaling.

In just five days we are going to finish the year, have you achieved all your challenges?

December 27th, 2018

We usually think about our objectives when we start the year, but it could be so much easier if you do that at the end of this year.

Photo by Gerd Altmann in Pixabay

Try to search in your memory, for sure that you can remember some of the challenges from last year, he ones you have not achieved yet. This week could be your last chance.

Trying to do that with a clear deadline and with the motivation of the good vibes of these dates, could be the best way to achieve these objectives once and for all.

This sprint could be, also, a warm-up exercise in order to keep you pedaling for your objectives constantly during your next year.

Try it! Close your year crossing out your objectives, this is a revitalizing way for starting the new year.

The Christmas’ holidays are closer, do you know how to take the maximum advantages of them?

13th December, 2018

Guides, blogs, social networks… They are huge sources of information which will help you to get inspired this Christmas.

Photo by StockSnap from Pixabay

If Christmas is a good time to spend with the family, we are sure that you can find some free time to relax yourselves and digest the big meals.

You can organize bicycle tours with the family and friends during the non-official vacation days, it could be a great opportunity to get to know closer places that, during our daily routine, we have no time to discover and enjoy.

In order to organize a route which adapts to you, there are thousands of resources in just over two clicks away. Blogs, guides, key #hashtags (tags) in the social networks… all of them are going to help you to discover up to the last corner of the places that, maybe, you think you already know.

This vacation you shouldn’t leave your bicycle at home. Digest the nougats pedaling, you will see how good it feels.

And if you need help planning your route… you know where to find us.

As of the 1st of January, bicycles must circulate away from the sidewalks of Barcelona

December 5th, 2018

Kara De Leos

After the extension of the bike lane in the city, almost 1,000km (620 miles) adapted to the bicycle circulation, the City Hall of Barcelona considers that the bike circulation through the road is safe enough to forbid the circulation of this vehicle on the sidewalks.

The City Hall of Barcelona is in the middle of a campaign in order to make public, to every urban cyclist, local and temporary ones, that, as of the 1st of January, the circulation on the city’s sidewalks will be punished with fines up to €500. Their motto, “When you are riding a bicycle, leave the sidewalk”, is covered by a second slogan: “You have almost 1,000km of alternatives”.

The only way allowed to circulate on the sidewalk is when it measures a width of more than 5 meters and 3 meters are free (and you haven’t any other alternative or bike lane closer) or if you are younger than 12 (years old) and you are circulating with your own bicycle and accompanied by an adult.

Even if you usually pedal through the streets of Barcelona or because you are visiting this great city, remember, share and obey this regulation. All together we are building a healthier city and a good cohabitation is one of the keys.

Enjoy your route through the ‘Ronda Verda’ of Barcelona by bicycle

November 28th, 2018

If you are visiting Barcelona or you still have no plans for this weekend, here you have a suggestion to keep you pedaling. A healthy and enjoyable activity for everyone.

Photo by Silvia (Sipa at Pixabay)

We are always talking about the improvements of the bike lane, which have achieved transforming the city into a paradise for the urban cyclist, but we cannot forget about the Ronda Verda -Green Beltway-. This road surrounds the whole city, connecting it to the neighboring cities, offering us a huge means of connection of 72km and a fantastic lane for riding a bicycle.

This lane connects Badalona, Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Esplugues de Llobregat y Montcada i Reixac. In addition, it has 6 sections, so we can decide if we prefer to ride the whole route or only enjoy one of its variated zones that we can find in this sea and mountain city. For example, we could dedicate our morning to riding through the mountain of Collserola, or spend our afternoon at the now very quiet beaches of Barcelona. In addition, we could start our route through the beach from the Front Marítim and get to the mountain through the Montjuïc route.

The options are very assorted, so take advantage of Barcelona and of every one of the marvelous options that this city offers you.

Barcelona will fill up with light

November 21st, 2018

Photo by Tim Mossholder

This 22nd of November Barcelona will release the Christmas of this 2018 by the illumination of its streets. This year, the performance will be situated in rambla de Guipúscoa with Julián Besteiro street, in the neighborhood of Sant Martí.

It is not necessary to be very observant in order to realize that the shop windows are full of Christmas’ decoration. But among all this adornment, which tries to make us shopping compulsively, in the same city, we can also find some of the tradition of this celebration. An example is the illumination of the streets, which will arrive together with an official act from the city hall and a performance by the Efímer company.

And if the last year this illumination started at the city center, in Les Rambles, as a symbolism of the solidarity with the victims of the 17th of August attack, this year it’s being situated in the neighborhood of Sant Martí, in the crossroad of rambla de Guipúscoa with Julián Besteiro street. A neighborhood where, during these last years, the city hall has been working in order to transform it in a nicest place, with more green and pedestrian zones and, of course, with more kilometers of bike lane.

Take advantage of this season and ride your bicycle through the illuminated streets of Barcelona.

You only can go ahead by bicycle

November 12th, 2018

The number of urban cyclists in Barcelona has an exponential growth thanks to the extension of the bike lane during these last years in Barcelona. The security that these lanes provide is translated in a lot of people who enjoy the advantages of moving around with this very sustainable vehicle.

Photo by Joan Cabotti

Any person who has ridden a bike any time of his/her life will be realized that when you move the pedals backwards it’s useless. The bicycle has been designed for moving forward and if you need to go backwards you will have to do facing it, being fully aware of what you are doing and where we really want to go.

And, why is so interesting this consideration nowadays? Because in our 10 years of experience pedaling through the streets of Barcelona we feel astonished (in the good sense of this word) about how the kilometers of the bike lane in Barcelona have been so extended and, especially, how a lot of urban cyclists have leaped to take advantage of even the last signalized meter of lane.

The bicycle will continue advancing in Barcelona and it is going to do that in a conscious and safe way, transforming the city in a cleaner, more tranquil and more sustainable place each time.

Some tips in order to continue pedaling against the cold weather in Barcelona

2 de noviembre de 2018

This last week, in Barcelona and in Catalonia, the temperatures have suddenly fallen and with this descent the rain has come too. But this doesn’t to be a reason for stopping pedaling in the city.

Photo by Mabel Amber

In Barcelona, as a Mediterranean city, we have a really nice temperature which allows us to pedal without any problems, and if you don’t believe us, ask our neighbors in the north of Europe, where not even the snow can stop them.

For this reason, we shouldn’t stop pedaling during the cold days, because, in addition, with the movement and the sport that we do riding a bicycle, we will again feel the warm sensation that we usually miss. That’s why our first tip is that you should wear different layers, such as an onion, because, at the same time that you are feeling warmer your body will need you to remove some of these clothes layers.

Second tip, you should prepare yourself in order not to be surprised by the rain. Use waterproof clothes (also trousers) and also suitable shoes.

Third tip, something that you always have to keep in mind, whether it’s raining, snowing or it’s a really sunny day: you should keep your bike ready. Clean and greased chain, pumped up wheels (you can deflate a little bit your wheels if it’s raining in order to achieve a better adhesion, but not too much, because you could suffer a puncture), front and back lights and, in addition, it’s interesting to use a mudguard, because we will arrive at our jobs more decently.

If we follow these tips and we keep alert, we even will enjoy the cold and rainy days!

The bicycle as a way of life

October 16th, 2018

Photo by Pere Serrat

Who usually use the bicycle for moving around the city have another point of view about it. Ride one and stir up your life.

The continuous pedaling changes many things. We can assure this because we move constantly around Barcelona by bicycle.

For us the bike is a physical revolution, but also a mental revolution.

That’s physical in the sense of the health exercise as the reward of our work, because of the reduction of the CO2 and because the completely change of the city’s view. For us, several noiseless bicycles going through the streets is a present for the eyes and for the ears, especially if we compare it with the motorized vehicles traffic.

But we cannot forget the mental revolution. The exercise and the simplicity of the bicycle release your mind and it allows you to observe around. And that’s a really good exercise to make you reflect and inspire.

If you not agree with us, ask to the people who usually meet every first Friday of the month to ride their bicycles in Barcelona. The next excursion will depart from Arc de Triomf.

Come to the healthiest movement! The pedaling through Barcelona 😉

 

For the people who keep pedaling under the rain in Barcelona and in any single city

October 9th, 2018

Autumn comes with rain in the city, but for the people who love to ride a bicycle, this is an unimportance challenge, because, finally, the rain cleans and purifies the city. What else can we ask for the people who like to breath clean air?

Photo by ORNELLA BINNI on Unsplash

Dear city cyclists,

Today, this post is for thank you for keeping pedaling this raining days in Barcelona or in any single city. For understanding the importance of this meteorological phenomenon in the city. For keeping calm and patient with the other drivers. And for being alert with the segurity, because this is very important these days.

The rain in Barcelona is not so usual than in other cities, because of that, during the week days, when the traffic jams in the city is normal, the rain could be a nuisance. For this reason, we should keep this though in our mind: the water from rain cleans and purifies the environment because it drags away the damaging particles. And for everyone who breathes the city air daily this is the key.

In addition, if we have the suitable equipment (nothing very especial) and we keep alert, the rain won’t be and impediment to pedal.

Appropriate equipment, waterproof clothes, a footwear which resists rain without problems and all the elements which make you being more visible, especially for the motor vehicles: reflective clothes, the front and the back bicycle lights. A back mudguard will avoid you to arrive at your destiny with your back full of mud.

Get your bicycle ready, you can help to improve adhesion on the road by reducing the tire pressure (a little bit! If not, you will be in danger of getting a flat tire) and be sure that the treads of your tires are well marked. It is also important to maintain the chain clean and lubricated. And, specially (with or without rain), check if your brakes respond quickly.

The rainy days are perfect to show our skills with the bicycle. We are talking about reinforcing your concentration on the road. Brake before a curve and take it slowly. Keep a safety distance with regard to the other vehicles; avoid puddles, marks painted on the road and the multicolour marks that appear on the road (they are car oil).

With these tips, the only thing that we want to repeat again is: thanks for keeping pedaling.

Don’t let the routine stops you, start pedaling also during October

October 1st, 2018

Photo by Pexels

October is right here, and with it the last remains of summer are gone. But don’t be sad, you can ride your bicycle also during the autumn, specially in a city like Barcelona.

For us, the return to the routine is an opportunity. The opportunity of carry out with all the good challenges that we have formulated when we were inspired by the calm and the good vibes of the summer holidays. And, a good challenge that could be nice for everyone? Using more the bicycle.

During your daily, the bicycle could be a key element for improving yours and everybody’s mobility, improving, at the same time, your physical and mental health.

But, using a bicycle during your daily for going to work, to shopping or for other errands is not the only interesting use of your bike. It could be also interesting to use it during weekends. The vacation time don’t need to finish yet, you could do excursions with the family, friends or alone through close places. Because, a lot of times, we leave getting to know these close places for late, when they could be so incredible as a lot of exotic destinies, which make us save money during all year.

So, now you know, this autumn, note to practice a little bit more of local tourism by bicycle down your challenge list. For sure you will be able to discover a lot of treasures in Barcelona!

Experience the culture and the tradition of Barcelona while you are pedaling through La Mercè 2018 festivity

September 20th, 2018

Photo by Feradz

From the 21st to the 24th of September, you have a very important date with Barcelona, in order to enjoy the cultural activities that the city has prepared only for you -well, and for other miles of people too-.

As we always say, the best way to get to know a city is introducing yourself in its festivities, because popular celebrations are the best show of the local’s environment, their culture, their tradition and their gastronomy. In Barcelona, the most remarked festivity -because each neighbourhood has each own festivities- is La Mercè celebration. And this year it will be celebrated from the 21st to the 24th of September.

From expositions, “cercaviles”, castellers, giants, sardanes to the night concerts and light shows.

You should be fit riding the bicycle, if you want to arrive at everything!

Take a look to the daily activities programming in https://www.barcelona.cat/lamerce/en and take the most advantage of this celebration. You only can enjoy it once a year.

 

Returning to school by bicycle

September 12th, 2018

This week a lot of kids are going to start again the school studies and that means a clear return to the routine for a lot of people. But, this time, if you haven’t tried it before, you can add a refreshing change to this routine, it consists in returning to the school by bike.

Barcelona is every time a safer city when we talk about riding a bicycle through its streets, all this thanks to the extension of the bike lane. So, why don’t take advantage of this situation and be an example for the little ones using the cleanest means of transport?

This video that we have used other times (yes, we admit it, we thrill every time we play it) shows how this situation can be absolutely normalized and a main situation, so, why don’t we try it?

For us, this is a mantra, we should work in order to Barcelona become a cleaner city by including the bicycle in our routine, being an example to the future generations.

Then, this new school year, are you going to join our club? That’s free and very healthy!

It’s still summer in Barcelona

September 1st, 2018

Although the summer holidays have finished with the August’s month for a lot of people, for other ones, who have suffered the hot weather in the work place while they saw how the work mates departed to remote countries, the good time starts now.

Photo by Katerina Zhang

Barcelona is not going to disappoint all the people who have been waiting for the arriving of their well-deserved vacations. On the contrary, the activity of the city is not going to let anyone to get bored.

From refreshing ridings through the beach by bicycle, to the challenge of getting to the top of the hill of Montjuïc, where you will be awarded with the amazing views of the city. Everything with the nicest weather and avoiding the July and August build-ups –overbooking in hotels, in restaurants and, even worst! in the streets-.

And, if it was not enough, we cannot forget that the great fiesta of La Mercè 2018 is very close. A festivity that, as always, will get you closer to the culture and tradition of the city.

Barcelona is waiting for you with open arms, take your bicycle and come to pedal!

The Great Fiestas time is here, the best way to enjoy Barcelona

August 16th, 2018

If this summer you are ridding a bicycle though the streets of Barcelona, you shouldn’t miss to get to the Great Fiestas, the best show of culture and tradition in the city.

pl-vila-festes-de-gràcia

During summer, Barcelona doesn’t stop, on the contrary, that’s really strange to find a week without any Great Fiesta. Next, a brief calendar with which you can check if your trip to Barcelona coincides with a neighborhood’s festivity.

Festes de Sant Roc from the 14th-18th of August.

Festes de Gràcia from the 15th-21st of August.

Festes de Sants from the 20th-28th of August.

Festa Major de la Bordeta from the 28th of August to the 15th of September.

Festes de Vallcarca coincides with the first two weeks of September.

Festa Major del Farró from the 7th-11th of September.

Festa Major de la Barceloneta, coinciding with the Sant Miquel festivity, around the 29th of September.

Festes de la Mercè from the 21st to the 24th of September.

Try to confirm this calendar in the City Hall web site, when the date comes closer. Some variations could be possible.

And, above all, enjoy this amazing fiestas!

 

Which characteristics have Born Bike Tours Barcelona for chosing a good bicycle for the city

6th August, 2018

One of the most common questions made by those who have just started their urban cycling is: “What type of bike is the best for the city?” For us, it is important to select a model that will make the coexistence with the traffic in the city easier, so it has to be safe.

1. It should be easy to start and stop

Upon forming part of the traffic of the city, it should be easy to put the feet on the ground when you’re waiting for the traffic light to change.

2. There should be a good acceleration

This is important when you have to move the bicycle to cross and intersection or change lanes.

3. It should be easy to see

It’s important to maintain yourself visible to other users. For this objective, you should have good front and back lights.

4. It should allow you to see the traffic around you

The straighter up the cyclist rides, the easier it is for him to see what is happening around you.

5. The bicycle should be easy to control with one hand

Take into account that the hand signals are extremely important in order to maintain an adequate communication with drivers and other cyclists.

6. There should be an efficient range of speeds

The diversity of the speeds depends on the topography of your city and the distance that you have to go. More important than the number of velocities is the range you have available. If there are many slopes in your city, you need a low range of speeds. The contrary happens in a city that is relatively even.

7. It should be efficient

The back suspension and the common rims in the case of mountain bicycles are not recommended for a city bicycle. Even though this is useful for the mountains, the suspension (especially the rear one) absorbs part of the energy we apply to the pedal. If you plan to use your mountain bicycle in the city, you should make some modifications.

As we have already said, there are a great variety of bicycles. It’s important that you like the bike, that I has the right size and be according to your necessities.

Now you know some of the important things about our bicycles, so, start to pedal!

Come to the activities in Barcelona during the month of August 2018 by bicycle

July 31st, 2018

Photo by Enes on Unsplash

Here you have a list of activities in Barcelona during this August, in order you don’t miss anyone during your trip.

Music in Barcelona!

2018.07.31 – 08.31 – Mas i Mas

The Mas i Mas Festival returns to Barcelona in the summer with jazz, flamenco, classic, techno and much more.

2018.08.10 – 11 -DGTL – Festival Barcelona

The DGTL Festival will make you dance in Barcelona at the rhythm of music house and techno.

2018.026.02 – 08.30 – Music in the Parks

This season, 2018, the program includes 49 concerts and all of them free. From June to the end of August you can listen to music in the parks of Barcelona. These have been taking place for the past 15 years and include best quality music. Not only this, it is also great for sitting in a pleasant place at night with good music, friends and family.

2018.07.01 – 09.16 Brunch in the Park

Take your picnic basket, your plaid table cloth and get ready to …. Dance without stopping until the 17th of September..

Outdoor movies in Barcelona

2018.07.06 – 08.31 – Mecal Air, outdoor movies

In summer we all want to spend a lot of time outdoors -and what a better way than watching short films with friends while having a glass of wine. Mecal Air is a summer alternative to the classical cinemas, It is the one preferred by the Barcelona neighbors. The good part is that there is a combination to “short films” and a gastronomical offer. The entrance is free.

2018.06.29 – 08.03 – Outdoor movies – Sala Montjuïc

Important recent films and concerts that take place outdoors.

2018.06.28 – 08.02 – Free films t the Barcelona beach

Free movies at the beach during the summer nights.

Other events

During summer from Thursday to Sunday from 9:00p.m to 11:30p.m. – The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

In the summer from Thursday to Sunday from 9:00p.m to 11:30p.m. the spectacles take place every half an hour.

2018.08.09 – 19 – Circuit Festival

Don’t miss the most fun gay Festival in Barcelona.

2018.08.05 – 05 – Joan Gamper Trophy from the FC Barcelona

Experience the Barcelona Football Club Joan Gamper a the Camp Nou!

Have a good time!

A new bicycle route from the sea to the mountain in Barcelona

July 26th, 2018

With the inauguration of the bike lines in the streets of Bilbao and Jonquera, which have been added to the street of Navas -look at the map and you will understand it better 😉-, the axis which will allow us to go from the Parc del Guinardó to Marbella beach is completed.

Something very especial from Barcelona that we always try to remark is that this city is a sea and mountain city, where the landscape and the environments are very varied and it allows us to enjoys its different modalities.

Up to now, a very important bicycle route was the one where you can go from the Port Olimpic to Montjuïc mountain in the Sants-Montjuïc district. In just one day you can enjoy the sea breeze and the mountain views. Now, to this amazing route, we have to add another one from Guinardó to the Marbella beach, so we have a new one for changing the views and the environment of the beach.

The most important thing of these routes is the fact that now we can do that in a safe way thanks to the extension of the bike lane in Barcelona.

This summer experience Barcelona to the maximum and discover the last of its corners by bicycle.

A bicycle as your best trip mate

Photo by Autumn Studio

July 27th, 2018

This summer you shouldn’t forget your bicycle at home. It will be your best trip mate.

If you have kept yourself fit all year getting around everywhere by bicycle, this summer you cannot waste all this effort. Moving around the cities by bicycle is the best investment that you can make.

With the bicycle, you can get to know all the cities at street level, without any problem when you decide to park, and enjoying the city environment directly.

The respect for the environment, the noise and the neighbors are synonyms of bicycle. This will make you earn points with the local people who are sharing the city with you.

Flexibility of movement, especially in Barcelona, city of sea and mountain. By bicycle, the moment you wake up, you can decide if this a mountain or a sea day. It will make you enjoy the trip and allow you to stop anywhere you want. It doesn’t matter if you want to immortalize the moment by taking a photo or if you want to have some tapas -Spanish appetizers- in a bar that you like.

All these advantages, combined with the bike lanes which the city is taking from the space of the cars, make the bicycle the best trip mate during our summer adventures.

This summer, let’s share Barcelona by bicycle

July 3rd, 2018

We have to insist that the best way to travel is by the ecotourism, achieving that our passing through the city be the most sustainable and positive possible, and generating the best memories for us and for the people who live in the city and who turn it into a marvelous place.

Photo by Sergi Larripa

The City Hall of Barcelona has initiated a new campaign this summer: ‘Compartim Barcelona’ -Let’s share Barcelona- where they gather some tips for everyone who visits and lives in the city. We feel very identified with them, because they are something that we try to transmit in many of our mails.

Sharing the public places, taking care of the urban furniture, not obstructing the life’s rhythm of the people who live in the city, not making noise after a celebration and, in general, controlling the volume… these are some basic tips from the web site. It seems very logical, isn’t it? Well, these are annoyances that the people who live in Barcelona are experiencing continuously, and which complicate their day-to-day. For this reason, we are sharing it in our blog, in order to do our part to achieve a more habitable city for everyone.

To all these tips, obviously, we want to add another one: riding a bicycle when you visit the city. This means of transport doesn’t make noise, doesn’t dirty it and, thanks to the extension of the bike lane, we can practically move around the whole city in a safe way for us and for the pedestrians. Of course, in order to make this idea a reality, we need your help by respecting all the traffic sign, the places to stop and park and this rhythm of the people who live in the city that we have talked about. Because, they are sharing their bicycle routes, so try not to obstruct the rhythm of these.

Take these tips with you and enjoy Barcelona by bicycle!

Summer has settled down in Barcelona and here you have some tips to live together with it

June 28th, 2018

Some weeks ago, the temperature increased significantly in Barcelona and, in addition, the sweltering. This, sometimes, make us feel lazy, but, keep calm, the experience has given us some tips to fight against this laziness and riding again our bicycle.

Photo by Alex Blajan

The breeze from the beach and the calm shade in the parks

If you are going to move around Barcelona in the morning, maybe it’s better if you don’t go through the sunny spot of the Eixample. There are some shades, but the accumulated hot weather, especially from the motorized vehicles, are going to make you feel tired. Going to the beach or to some of the great parks in Barcelona will be a better option. With the breeze or the fresh air that comes from the plants, you are going to feel much better. Go to the Sagrada Familiar or to the great modernist works of Passeig de Gràcia in the afternoon, when the sun has gone down a little.

Take cover in a tapas bar or restaurant

The worst hours of the heat are at midday, so, at this hour, you should look for a bar or restaurant -especially if you are at the beach- where you could find refuge from the worst sun rays and taste some of the delicious food from the gastronomy of Barcelona.

You shouldn’t stop hydrating yourself

A continuous hydration, especially if we are moving around by bicycle, is essential in order to avoid sickness. Always take a bottle of water with you and put a little bit of lemon inside it. It will make you feel great!

In addition, you will always find an ice-cream parlor and you will be able to refresh yourself with your favorite flavor.

This holidays you can practice the ecotourism in Barcelona by the best means of transport: the bicycle

June 19th, 2018

Summer is very close and we cannot avoid to remember you some tips that will help you to plan an unforgettable trip, respecting the environment and people who you are going to visit.

Born Bike Tours Barcelona are very fans of ecotourism, this combination of activities that allow us to travel respecting the environment and the people who live in this place. But, although this point of view comes from the respect, ecotourism is much more. We are going to sum it up in the 8 tips presented by the International Ecotourism Society:

  1. Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts.
  2. Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
  3. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
  4. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
  5. Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
  6. Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates.
  7. Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities.
  8. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.

You are going to see that a lot of these points are easy to resolve if you visit the place by bicycle 😉

Integrate yourself in Barcelona by bicycle

June 14th, 2018

One of the best ways to grade our trip experience is through the integration level.  In order to reach the maximum grade in Barcelona -or anywhere- we suggest you to take a map of the bike lane and to get fit with your bicycle, the best means of transport to enjoy the city at street level.

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

June smells summer and, with the arriving of summer, we cannot avoid to start to think about our well-deserved holidays. For this reason, today we want to remember some ideas that we have set out in the blog, because we think that they are very important for achieving the best experience in Barcelona.

Bring us close tot the city people through their culture, their history and their social habits is a basic thing and, for achieving this, to move us at street level is very important, in order to don’t miss any detail.

When we know exactly our means of transport, the next more important thing is the destination. And for this part of the planning is very important to get informed before to leap to our trip. Be informed about the greatest monuments, to explore some more specialized corners and, above all, try to coincide with some popular celebration.

If you achieve getting into the plane, bus or train – whatever it is the means of transport that you use to come to Barcelona- knowing all the lessons, your trip will be incomparable. If you don’t have enough time for that, keep calm, the city is full of services where we can help you sharing all our knowledge.

Bon dia, bon profit, gràcies, déu-n’hi-do… Do you know the vocabulary for moving around Barcelona? Because you already have the means of transport, isn’t it? 😉 🚲

June 5th, 2018

Photo by Luis Gonzalez

We can move us free around the city by bicycle, but, in order to achieve all our objectives with the cooperation of the local people, knowing some words and expression will be so useful, and we can increase them during our stay.

Here you have a very basic dictionary with some words and expressions which will help us to move around Barcelona:

Bon dia = Good morning

Bona tarda = Good afternoon

Bona nit = Good night

Si us plau = Please

Com et dius? = What is your name?

Encantat/encantada d’haver-te conegut = Nice to meet you

Bon profit! = Enjoy your meal! (You should say it with joy)

Gràcies = Thank you

Moltes gràcies = Thank you very much

De res = You are welcome

On és el lavabo? = Where is the toilette?

Esmorzar = Breakfast

Dinar = Lunch

Berenar = Have a snack

Sopar = Dinner

El compte = The bill

(Which is not…)

Compte! = Take care!

Déu-n’hi-do= (this expression can be use in a lot of situations, it depends of the tone of voice, but we will translate it as…) My goodness

 

And finally… A reveure! = See you later!

Barcelona, the perfect city for going by bicycle, here we show it to you

April 4th, 2018

The 30 days biking challenge, which a lot of us achieved during the month of April, has been a great success. If you don’t believe us, look at this marvelous map which shows you the bike’s circulation in Barcelona during this last month. You are going to be amazed 😉

You can find this map in the Hall City web page, the one which is dedicated to the bicycles, and where they have done an important informative campaign about this event. The fact is that Barcelona is working hard to become a sustainable city, accompanied by the vehicles which have 0 pollution.

The alert levels usually shoot up and to improve in this aspect is a job for every one of us, although, the environment of Barcelona is transforming itself to facilitate safe and pleasant routes. Some examples are the zones of the Parc de la Ciutadella, the Fòrum zone or the bike lane and the 30km/h routes, although, we have had these for a long time. Other examples, which are being key ones, are the extension of the bike lane up to 180km or the new green zones such as the Plaça de les Glòries.

Little by little, bicycles have won their well-earned ground, improving the environment of the city and its surroundings.

 

How can you feel better with the hot weather of these days? With some tapas, fresh drinks and, of course, going by bicycle

April 26th, 2018

These last days in Barcelona, the temperature has increased, so, here you have some tips about how you can take advantage of this moment pedaling a bicycle.

Appetizers, soft-drinks and a bicycle is our recipe for the warm days in Barcelona. Spring always invites us to carry out some activities and Barcelona is full of opportunities for enjoying every minute of a day. Today’s tip is that you should concentrate on the city’s gastronomy.

One referring to the sea and the mountain. There is a great variety of tours in Barcelona, but, if you feel like it, we can start by talking about beaches. An outing by bicycle through the promenade, stopping for a quick dip (this is only for the most courageous), has to be compensated by some tapas (Spanish appetizers) in more than one of the different bars and restaurants of this zone. In addition, by pedaling only 5 minutes, you can go to the center of the city, where you will not be disappointed.

And, from enjoying some fish and shellfish to the “pa amb tomàquet” (bread with tomatoes rubbed on it) with some home-made croquettes, some cold meat, olivada (an olive pure) or whatever you prefer. In Barcelona, the combination of flavors and textures is infinite, because, besides the local gastronomy, a lot of restaurants and bars bet on incorporating products from many other cultures.

So, now you know that, after some important pedaling, you have to recover energy!
And if you need more information, we, Born Bike Tours Barcelona, are going to be glad to help you 😉

We repeat: we love going through Barcelona by bicycle

April 10th, 2018

The “30 Days by Bicycle” challenge is still active in Barcelona, so, here you have some reflections in order to motivate you even more after this first training week.

If you have achieved the first week of pedaling, we are sure that you have seen a lot of the advantages of the bicycle and that you have achieved some of its challenges. Sharing your experiences in the social networks is the key to motivate and help other people. So, don’t stop doing that.

For example, you can talk about how pleasant it is when you arrive at work, or at any other place, after pedaling your bicycle: how you avoid traffic jams, how you enjoy the city environment, how you greet the other cyclists and how you activate your body as soon as you are awake. The physical exercise is a key element for motivation and creativity, we are sure that you have performed even better these working days.

In addition, you can talk about annoying fumes, which come from the other motorized vehicles -not the electrical ones, of course-. Imagine how nice the city could be without all the atmospheric and acoustic pollution.

And yes, you can talk about how you have overcome other things that were not so good, such as the rain of some of these days. We bet that it wasn’t as terrible as you imagined before leaving home. If you have the equipment, you will see that going by bicycle while it is raining is not a problem. In order to reach the step of leaving home, think about the importance of rain for the purpose of dispersing the polluting particles from the air. This always encourages us.

You can achieve the “30 days of biking” challenge. Do that for you and for your city.

The Easter Week, some perfect days to pedal through the streets of Barcelona

March 27th, 2018

Photo by Mari Carmen Díaz

This Easter Week say goodbye to the umbrella and prepare yourself for a tour through the activities in Barcelona with your bicycle. Here are some suggestions.

Park and garden tour

Barcelona is a beautiful city because of its beaches, its architecture, but, also because of its parks and gardens distributed through different points of the city. One of our favorite parks is the Parc de la Ciutadella. By bicycle or walking, this lovely and immense park, in the center of the city, is one of the most passed through parks.

But, if you feel more courageous, you can go to the Laribal’s Gardens by bicycle, in the district of Sants-Montjuïc, away from the center, but with incredible views.

And, in order to close the triangle, in the other extreme of Barcelona, we have the Horta’s Labyrinth, the oldest park of Barcelona.

One of beaches, please.

Pedaling through the Passeig Maritim, you will enjoy the tranquility of these days at the beach. Although you could think that this is a perfect destination for summer, these days the beach is also beautiful and very, very calm. So, it is one of the best moments to enjoy its breeze.

Gastronomic tour.

From the beach to the center is a nice pedaling experience by bicycle, without hills and full of bars and restaurants where you can rest, refresh yourself and eat some tapas –the typical Spanish appetizers-. But, if we are talking about eating during these days, above all, you shouldn’t miss the famous Easter “mona” cake. Although it is supposed that it has to be a present for our godsons and goddaughters, these cakes are delicious and this is a dessert that we should enjoy.

Haven’t you you decided yet? Come to Born Bike Barcelona Tours, we are going to help you 😉

Get to know Born Bike Tours Barcelona from inside and bring yourself to go for a stroll by bike with the best guides

February 27th, 2018

Look at this cool video which has been made by the Born Bike Tours Barcelona Team for you:

In Born Bike Tours Barcelona, we love our job and for this reason we love to share these good vibes with everyone. But we not only make videos 😉 we offer marvelous tours through Barcelona by bicycle.

Do you want to know the secret of our happiness? You shouldn’t miss to visit us next time you come to the Born neighborhood in Barcelona. Either you are a local or a tourist, we are going to surprise you!

 

In Barcelona and do not you know what to do? Come to Santa Eulàlia’s festivity and to the activities of Carnival by bike

6th February, 2018

This week from 9th to 12th of February in Barcelona, we are going to celebrate the Great Fiesta of winter, Santa Eulàlia, coinciding with Carnival!

Photo by Ylanite

The streets of the Gòtic neighborhood, in the center of Barcelona, are a monument by themselves that you shouldn’t miss. But, in addition, during the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th of February the popular festivity of Santa Eulàlia is going to be celebrated, an opportunity which is only repeated once a year. This festivity mixes all the years of history of these streets with a show of popular Catalan culture.

Giants, cabezudos, colles de castellers, sardanes, correfoc… Are the ingredients of this festivity. If you are closer, you don’t have any excuse. This is your chance for blending yourself into the people of Barcelona and share their traditions.

But that’s not all! The 8th of February, also in the center of Barcelona, the Carnival’s king will proclaim the start of his festivity. During a week Barcelona will be full of Catalan egg sausage, parades and sardine’s burial.

The best you can do is forgetting the car or the motorbike for arriving at the activities, this only will cause you a headache, specially if you want to park closer. The best is to bet for the best means of transport: the bicycle.

The best week to take advantage of every one of its days in Barcelona.

31 days pedaling through Barcelona

30th January 2018

Photo by Zhivko Dimitrov

Ok, no, the European City Challenge is not here yet, this great event is in May but, we have spent 31 days since New Year Eve’s. Have you achieved all your proposals? If your answer is yes, congratulations! And if your answer is no, don’t worry, you still have 11 months for achieving them. We suggest some ideas to you.

For starting, we only want to remind you of the three main questions that you have to raise again: Are your intentions specific enough? Do you have a deadline? And, are these realistic?

We insist on these questions because, for us, they are the key when you want to achieve solid intentions.

We are going to give a random example: “Doing more exercise for keeping us fit and healthy”. It is a great initiative, but is a bit generic and you can achieve it in a lot of different ways. With the first question and basing ourselves on our routines, we can develop different task. For example, going to work by bike, shopping healthier proximity products, and practicing ecotourism pedaling during this summer… easy, right?

Now, consider the next question: do you have a deadline? In this case we have task that we want to apply to our routines so, talking about time, the most important thing is getting us firm doing that during a month. We are sure that if you spend 31 days pedaling through a city like Barcelona for going to work, you will not be able to leave it.

And, finally, are they realistic? If you imagined, when you decided to do more exercise, that you could spend 2 hours in the gym everyday… Well, maybe you will achieve that, or probably, after one week you will miss too many things that you have given up for spending more time in the gym.

We hope that all these tips will help you for achieving your goals or for following them, because reaching the target, in these cases, is a big pleasure.

Barcelona makes its way through the bike lane

January 24th, 2018

In 2015, the City Hall of Barcelona promised us 308km of bike lane, nowadays the city has 184km and, although the final goal for the end of the year is lower than the first one -233 of 308km-, the 89% of the citizens of Barcelona already have a bike lane at a maximum of 300 meters from their homes.

The City Hall of Barcelona can already boast that in the last two years they have extended the cyclist infrastructure of the city, also improving the security. And this is something very important to promote the use of ecological and alternative means of transport such as the bicycle.

We have already noted this promotion because, according to the information of the City Hall, between 2015 and 2016 the average of urban cyclists increased by 14%.

The fact that the City Hall continues betting on bicycles is something we all have to work for. Going to work by bike means a healthy routine, getting fit and an ecological benefit for the whole environment of the city.

We cannot feel happiest seeing that every day Barcelona is closer of being a big net for bikes 🙂

Blogs and guidebooks, windows which show us the cities that we want to get to know

January 16th, 2018

This week, we have wake up with this marvelous mail’s blog from Silver Stories, by Caroline, where she explains its riding by bike through Barcelona together with Born Bike Tours Barcelona.

Photo by Judit Aranda

Before start a trip, long or short, it is essential to inform us about which kind of things are we going to find in our destination. This information that we used to find in guidebooks, now, we can also find it in an unlimited number of blogs, where people show their own experiences while they were traveling.

Just as when you visit a specialized bookstore looking for the guidebook which show you all the things in the littlest possible space, which has been actualized during the last year and which allows you to move as a local when you arrive at the city, more and more, people look for this specialization in a blog. Recently blog entries, updates and the experience of the person who has written it are the elements which give us the confidence to accept their tips and write it down in our trip’s notebook.

This is something that we find in blogs, as Silver Stories, where you quickly see that Caroline has a great experience traveling and, in addition, she loves it.

Always is a pleasure to meet people like she, for this reason we love our job.

Dear Three Wise Men…

January 3rd, 2018

After Christmas Day and the New Year’s Eve, there is another important moment of these days: the arriving of the Three Wise Men. What are you going to wish for? We will explain how to contact with them here.

If you are one of the persons who has been doing things in an unlimited way these last days –eating non stop, visiting your family and playing games with the kids-, surely, the first thing you will wish for is some outdoor activities.

These days Barcelona is full of activities referring to the Three Wise Men, because the people can walk through its streets and enjoy the last days of Christmas. The Three Kings’ toy factory will be active until the 4th of January at the “Fabra i Coats – Fàbrica de Creació” facilities. Do you know anything about this place? It is a spectacular industrial building in the district of Sant Andreu, which has been remodeled to become a place full of activities, where different businesses and projects live together. Take advantage of this event to leave the center and discover a bit more of this city. In addition, you will enjoy a tour full of magic and you will see how the letters to the Three Wise Men are transformed into presents.

You can also deliver your wish list to the helpers of the Three Wise Men, Estel and Omar, who are at Plaça Catalunya from Tuesday to Thursday, in order to assist the Three Wise Men with their work.

And, certainly, you shouldn’t miss the Three Wise Men’s parade of the 5th o January, which will start at 6 p.m. You can follow the planned trajectory or you can wait for their arrival at one of these points:

6 p.m. Av. Marquès de l’Argentera

6.10 p.m. Pla de Palau

6.25 p.m. Via Laietana

7 p.m.  Pl. Urquinaona

7.05 p.m. Fontanella

7.10 p.m. Pl. Catalunya

7.25 p.m. Pl. Universitat

7.35 p.m. Rda. Sant Antoni

7.45 p.m. Sepúlveda

8.25 p.m. Paral·lel

8.35 p.m Pl. Espanya

8.45 p.m Av. Reina Maria Cristina

Remember to include non-sexist presents in your list, for example… a bicycle 😉

The future of Christmas is already present in Barcelona

20 de desembre de 2017

The end of the year is closer and with that our reflections about Christmas in Barcelona, pedaling our bicycles, increase.

You can contact with the Three Wise Man by email. Girls can order race cars and boys can order kids’ play kitchens. An original present is the one which is related to sustainability, education… There are a lot of examples about what we can find nowadays at Christmas, which shows that we are making progresses for a more equal and sustainable future.

In Barcelona, we are maintaining the tradition, but we also make aware about that, because this is not based on consumerism nor discrimination. So, in order to don’t miss this tradition, it is important to maintain the basic values, either at Christmas, at Carnival or Halloween.

So, we couldn’t avoid to do that, we have related a good Christmas with a bicycle.

The bicycle is for everyone, without regard gender or economic level, because we can find it with a very affordable price. It can be adapted to any situation easily. It is completely sustainable, it doesn’t contaminate or waste. And the energy that moves it is ourselves.

If you are agreed with these values, make the exercise of comparing your Christmas with your bicycle, what else do you want for your celebrations?

Come to go through the beaches of Barcelona, a place of rest also during November and December

November 28th, 2017

Shahariar Lenin

It is normal that, during these dates, we relate the bike routes with the forests and mountains. Although, we love to remember that, during November and December, beaches, less visited than during summer, are the perfect option to ride our bike and find a bit of calm.

Barcelona, as we like to remember, is a sea and mountain city. Just riding your bicycle, you can go from Montjuïc -and its amazing views- to the beach in an easy way.

Why don’t do that during winter?

If during summer the beaches of Barcelona are the meeting point of millions of tourists who visit the city, during November and December months, this coming and going of people becomes calm and tranquility for all the people who dare to go there. The bike lane, parallel to the promenade, goes through all the beaches of the city, a fact that become itself in a perfect route to enjoy the landscape and the sea breeze. We can pedal during a long time since we decide to stop and rest. Then, we can lie down on the sand -of course, remember to take something to wrap you up warm- and focus yourself in the swell sound.

¿Haven’t you feel like to experience something like this? For us, who are very close to the beaches, this is the best you can do for relaxing yourself and disconnect from the frenetic rhythm of these days.

Tips for tolerating the cold weather when we go through the city by bicycle

November 14th, 2017

This week the cold weather of Barcelona has inspired us to remember some tips for keeping on pedaling also during the winter.

Photo by Ben Kerckx

From one week ago, in Barcelona, we have observed a significant descend of the temperatures, although the weather of this city uses to be between comfortable limits.

In any case, if we want to keep us pedaling during winter, to focus us in our clothes in order to avoid unnecessary colds is very important. In spite of the fact that when we do exercise we use to warm up quickly, so as to avoid the drastic changes, it is important to use tight clothes which could be made of cotton or some other material which should be breathable and comfortable. Over these clothes, in order to avoid the wind and, if it is necessary, the rain, we suggest you to use a coat made of nylon. If we wear various clothe layers, we can adapt our clothing to the corporal temperature during our trip.

Other important part of the body, which we should keep in mind, are the hands. A pair of gloves will be perfect for avoiding that the cold chaps our skin.  It is also important to keep our feet warm, so the best we can do is to use warm and comfortable socks.

For your head, if you use to wear a helmet, which is the most recommendable, you will not suffer for it.

In spite of been winter, you should remember that being hydrated by drinking water is very important.

And, at last but not least, remember the front and the back lights. In Barcelona, they are obligatory, specially, during winter, because it gets dark early and they are essentials for your security.

Don’t be stopped by anything ¡Keep on pedaling!

Nature for achieving a bit of tranquility

November 10th, 2017

Photo by Iris von Lienen

Barcelona, in spite of being a big city and for this reason extremely edified, it also has some important natural places which allow us to disconnect from the frenetic madness of the city during some hours. Discover which these zones are and go to there by bicycle.

The parks and the gardens

There are for everyone’s tastes. For us, the best park is the Parc de la Ciutadella, where you can pedal on your bike or take a walk. Although this is a very frequented track, due to the fact that is a centric place and within it you can find the Parlament de Catalunya.

For this reason, if you are interested in some more tranquility, you can go pedaling to other proposals: the Laribal’s Gardens. These gardens are situated in the district of Sants-Munjuïc, further away from center, but with a perfect access by bicycle. The park is composed of various terraces that communicate through pathways and stairs, which are flooded over by the vegetation which will allow us to breathe in a little bit of peace. If you go there, please don’t miss the famous Font del Gat and discover its legend if you haven’t done it yet.

In practically the other extreme of Barcelona, we have the Horta’s Labyrinth. If the stress doesn’t allow you to think, lose yourself within the knowledge of the oldest park of Barcelona. Sometimes, disconnecting is the best way of looking for answers.

The Natural Park of Collserola

For the most courageous cyclists, the natural park of Collserola, which protects Barcelona, could be the best option. Take the whole day to pedal through this mountain. In order to take a break. You can use its picnic zones to eat something and, in general, enjoy this jewel so close to your home.

*Remember: please take care of the environment and ride the bicycle only within the indicated zones. We are not the only ones who need these places to disconnect. We hope the next person finds the park in the same or in a better condition.

Finally, it will rain in Barcelona, are you ready for continue pedaling?

October 17th, 2017

These autumn months haven’t been so wet as always and, although some people appreciate the convenience that this means when you have to take the bike, we need to be aware about the importance of the rain in the city.

Photo by Liv Bruce

Rain is an indispensable element for life and, specially, in the city, this is a key element for cleaning the accumulated pollution. If you are a person who pedals through the streets of Barcelona daily, breathing a clean atmosphere is very important for you. So, when the autumn rain will arrive, the best we can do is waiting for them with excitement and ready.

Remember wearing the appropriate equipment, waterproof clothes, a footwear which resists rain without problems and all the elements which make you being more visible, especially for the motor vehicles: reflective clothes, the front and the back bicycle lights. A back mudguard will avoid you to arrive at your destiny with your back full of mud.

Get your bicycle ready, you can help to improve adhesion on the road by reducing the tire pressure (a little bit! If not, you will be in danger of getting a flat tire) and be sure that the treads of your tires are well marked. It is also important to maintain the chain clean and lubricated. And, specially (with or without rain), check if your brakes respond quickly.

The rainy days are perfect to show our skills with the bicycle. We are talking about reinforcing your concentration on the road. Brake before a curve and take it slowly. Keep a safety distance with regard to the other vehicles; avoid puddles, marks painted on the road and the multicolour marks that appear on the road (they are car oil).

With these preventive measures you will arrive dry and happy to your destination 😉

The bicycle: good vibes for the atmosphere in Barcelona

October 10th, 2017

Fotografia de David Marcu – Fuente: Unsplash

Wake up, have a quick breakfast, take the car, wait in the traffic jam, sit in your chair and work, take the car, wait in the traffic jam… go to sleep.  Wake up, have a quick breakfast, take the car, wait in the traffic jam, sit in your chair and work, take the car, wait in the traffic jam… go to sleep. 

Every now and then, we like to remind you that sometimes our society pushes us towards an unhealthy routine, which is not good for our physical, mental and atmospheric health.

If you break with just one of the elements of this routine, and, of course, it cannot be one of the basic needs, you can achieve great changes in your life. For example, what could we change if we took the bicycle instead of the car?

“You wake up, you dress, you have breakfast and… you take your bicycle; you enjoy the fresh air of the morning and the first sleepy faces; your muscles become more active in the same way that your mind does. And when you get to work you park just in the entrance. You sit in your chair at your desk, but this time you are ready for the next 8 hours”.

We wrote this 2 years ago, and since then, things have changed. Maybe you are one of the nice people who has changed his routine, improving your life and the life of the other people. Or, maybe, you are one of the indecisive person who has seen the creation of a new bike line near your house and now you are contemplating whether or not to go to your work pedaling.

Try it. We are sure that with one week of going to work by bike, you will not be able to return to the old routine.

We love going through Barcelona by bicycle

September 27th, 2017

The new season has been a cause of reflection, because we love riding a bike in Barcelona and here you have some of the reasons

Every season is good

We love summer. Tourism, vacation, beach, tapas… During autumn the sweat is finished, the mountain is really beautiful and we again start with renovated energies. Winter, Christmas holidays, weekend breaks with a bike, the opportunity of getting to know closer places, the warm food after a nice day pedaling… And again spring, discovering gardens and tracks which are blooming, with a scented air that fill our lungs when we are doing exercise.

We improve the good vibes in our city

Mark physical challenges, although they can so easy as going to work by bike, will improve our creativity and productivity when we were working. “Mens sana in corpore sano” -healthy mind in a healthy body-. How couldn’t we feel better, with ourselves and with the other people, after this personal growth?

We improve the environment in Barcelona

For each person added to the pedaling, one exhaust pipe less.

If you are not already decided to pedal through Barcelona, try it, you will not be able to leave it! 😊

12 Tips for Better Cycling, specially with the weather change

September 12th, 2017

Next week we are going to embark on many activities and events, before we would like to remind you of some basic safety tips when using a bicycle

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Wear a Helmet

Only in the U.S. more than 6,000 cyclists need emergency care for head injuries each year. Choose a well-fitting helmet.

Start Slowly

A good training could be only to pedal about 30 minutes on flat terrain during the first three or four weeks.

Dress for Comfort

Choose comfortable clothes.

Go Bright When there is only Low Light 😉

Try not to ride at night, but if necessary, make use of the lights.

Always Use Good Road Sense

Respect all traffic signs and norms. It’s well worth while for everyone.

Be Traffic-Aware

If there is heavy traffic, ride in the lane with the cars, not to the side.

Use your Brakes Adequately

For optimal pressure, put your hands at the ends of the levers. Apply firm pressure to the brakes.

Get In Gear

Try not to pedal in high gear during long periods to avoid pressure on your knees.

Taking these simple tips into account, you’ll get more enjoyment out of biking!

 

Has anyone missed the fresh air of his/her city? Welcome to the Barcelona of September

September 04th, 2017

Holidays are finished but, for sure, more than one person feels like having a rest, returning to his/her routine with recharged batteries and with the fresh air of September. In addition, we always have the weekend plans!

Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

During September, the tourism period becomes more relaxed. Although the warm weather continues during this month, it is not that intense anymore. And the routine, sometimes, results in a relaxing time after having had intense trips. So, September, welcome to our life.

With the return to work, you can also return to the weekend plans, more relaxed and nearer by. And if you have followed our tips and you have taken advantage of bike as a means of transport, you cannot miss all you have achieved and learned. Enjoy your city and #GoToWorkByBike –with this hashtag you will find a lot of motivation in the social networks- and during the weekend look for the places that you have yet not gotten to know in your city and organize a bike tour with your friends.

Sport activates the mind and the motivation, new challenges and objectives, such as the ones we have recommended, will avoid your thinking about any post-vacation depression 😉

Traveling, moving around, discovering, pedaling, Barcelona… We love our job and TripAdvisor knows it very well

August 15th, 2017

Another year, TripAdvisor has awarded us with the Certificate of Excellence in its social network thanks to the score and the flattering comments that you have given us.

Ernest, the Gaudí of the guides

Revolutionary, genius and fantastic are the adjectives which we use to make reference to the master Gaudí.

The paradox arrives when the very one guide seems an incarnation of the character. A man out of the boring rationalism which other guides use to offer, without falling into the lack of precision with the datum and showing a great passion for the profession.

An artisan of his work.

This has been the best way of discovering this curious city.

Thanks Ernest.

Signed by Los cuatro Gallegos

Although it could seem that we have had looked for the best comment in a very long list, this is the last comment that we received in our Spanish page of TripAdvisor. The poet is Alejandro and we cannot stop thanking him and all the other people who have participated in our project during this last year, because, although it sounds typical, they are the ones who have achieved that we enjoyed this last year so much.

With this kind of presents, we feel like keeping pedaling more than ever!

The best great fiesta of summer is comming, the great fiesta of Gràcia

August 8th, 2017

If you like getting to know the popular culture of the places where you travel, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity of enjoying the great fiesta of the district of Gràcia, which will be celebrated from the 15th to the 21st of August.

Every year we dedicate a mail about this very special fiesta and this year we cannot fail because it is going to celebrate its 200 anniversary and nobody looks better at this age. Although, the fiesta starts some days away, you can see some neighbors preparing the details which will dress the streets of different themes for the annual competition. You can feel the festivity in the ambient.

If you are in Barcelona from the 15th to the 21st you shouldn’t miss the activities which will be celebrated during the day nor the concerts of the night. You will enjoy the popular culture very near: sardanes, castellers, giants…

For sure, you will find all the streets closed to the traffic, so the best you can do is get there by bike, you will arrive more away and you will not find problems to park 😉.

If you are not here during these dates, don’t worry, you will have another opportunity the next week with the great fiesta of Sants.

Don’t forget the keys of the ecotourism at home during these holidays

August 1st, 2017

Among the notes of the trip, remember the keys of the ecotourism is nice in order to achieve that our footprint is always positive in the different places of the world.

Summarized in the 8 points presented by the International Ecotourism Society, these are the keys which we should follow during our holidays:

  1. Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts:

Obviously, at this point we cannot stop insisting on the kind of means of transport that we use. We, of course, prefer the quick, efficient and non-contamination bicycle, always knowing and respecting (the) each city‘s regulations.

  1. Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect:

And an interesting way to do that is moving around the city to the maximum in order to get to know its history, its art and its culture, in addition to its surroundings, especially if they are a source of nature and always leaving a minimum physical trace of our visit.

  1. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts:

Knowing local people and sharing experiences with them will always make our trip so much richer. In order to do that, it is usually enough to be respectful and friendly.

  1. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation:

Collaborating, as far as possible, with these places which we love to visit.

  1. Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry:

To go and use local shops and services will get us closer to the people of the place and to the way that they live together. So, why do we have to go to the same shops, which, surely, are also in our city?

  1. Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates:

The present context will indicate much about the place and the people that we are getting to know.

  1. Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities:

Something so basic that we surely will always intend to comply with it in our daily life.

  1. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment:

Something so basic that we surely will always intend to comply with it in our daily life.

These holidays, experience Barcelona like a local person

July 25th, 2017

barcelona-838716_1920

Fiestas, gastronomy and architecture are the three keys that will help you to enjoy Barcelona as though you had lived here all your life.

Barcelona keeps its high level of activities during the whole year, but, during summer, coinciding with the fiestas of some of its districts is much easier.

During these fiestas, all families in the neighborhood work in the organization and in the celebration. For this reason, if you are looking for typical elements of the popular Catalan culture -sardanes, grallers, giants, music…-, in these fiestas, you will find them.

During the next weeks we will announce them.

Gastronomy is another one of the essentials keys, in order to get to know the culture and, in addition, this is one of the best pleasures which we can access easily. In Barcelona, walking through the narrow streets in the center, at the Gòtic or the Born, at the port or, even, in other neighborhoods like Gracia or Sants-full of pedestrian streets and squares- we will be surrounded by restaurants and bars, where we will be able to eat some tapas -Spanish appetizers.

Finally, architecture, the one which we can find walking at the street level, is the key that has converted Barcelona into the most important modernist city. You shouldn’t miss that.

The best of all of this is that you can achieve all these key points while you are riding your bike placidly around the city.

Pedaling through the parks and gardens in Barcelona, the green zones that you shouldn’t miss!

July 4th, 2017

Barcelona, sea and mountain city, takes care of its green lungs and turns them into a perfect places where take a walk and refresh yourself during summer.

In our opinion, this is the number 1: Parc de la Ciutadella. Why? Because it has a perfect access for bicycles and converts it into one of our favorites places in Barcelona. More than 17 hectares where you can walk, ride, look it over, stop to rest and, even do some rowing, because the park has a little lake.

Although, if you really want to get away from the city, there are two parks, which are very special for us. On the one hand, we have the Laribal’s Gardens, situated in the district of Sants-Montjuïc. We can get there on bicycle, even though, we will have to park it at the entrance. There, we will be able to enjoy the great vegetation and the different ponds and waterfalls. In addition, we shouldn’t miss the famous Font del Gat (The Cat Fountain) and getting to know its legend. And, on the other hand, we have the Horta’s Labyrinth in the district of Horta-Guinardó. This is the oldest park of the city, but it preserves a great beauty in its vegetation, streams and statues of mythological characters.

Soon, the city will have a new green lung in Glòries. The City Hall of Barcelona has already presented the project of a great park which will give life to this end, which, until now, has been a grey point in the city.

This summer bet on the sustainable tourism

June 6th, 2017

This 2017 has been declared International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations.

Photo by Homestage Multimedia

Although in Barcelona we have noticed the warm weather of summer, this season hasn’t arrived officially until this week and with it the holidays of some people are going to start.

The United Nations has declared this 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. So if we are planning a trip it will be nice to be on the ecotourism plan, following the guidelines which have been reminded by this international institution: “The declaration by the UN of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development is a unique opportunity to advance the contribution of the tourism sector to the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental -, while raising awareness of the true dimensions of a sector which is often undervalued” said World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Generate wealth during our trips and don’t destroy a place where people welcome us is a responsibility of every one of us. The best experiences are experienced through the streets join with the local people who share their culture.

The bike lane in Catalonia continues progressing towards a safer circulation

May 25th, 2017

The Catalan institutions are continuously more aware about the importance of this means of transport for the future, for this reason, they continuously invest more funds for improving the safety of every one of the cyclists.

Before 2020, the Catalan government will have invested between 20 and 40 millions of euros to improve and increase the bike lane in Catalonia, it was announced in this way by Josep Rull, minister of Territory and Sustainability of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Next October, the local help call will be opened for City Halls, regional councils, etc.

These investments are within the growth of the habitual cycle users who have exceeded all expectations. According to the Institut Opinòmetre’s survey, requested by the Department of Territory and Sustainability of the Generalitat, a total of 190,000 people have changed the car or motorbike for the bicycle.

A series of numbers which don’t stop indicating that the bicycle is here to stay. Citizens are already making the first effort of the change and, it seems that institutions are also getting moving in order to achieve that this transition becomes safer for all the users.

We cannot stop imagining a future where the streets of Barcelona, including the Eixample, are clean and tranquil passages where we can circulate with our favorite means of transport. And it seems that this idea is getting closer!

Barcelona in the European Cycling Challenge 2017

May 9th, 2017

Again, we have the opportunity to participate in this great international event, where cities compete for the best one prize: cleaner and healthier cities.

The European City Challenge, although being an international great championship, is not only for elite athletes. Here the winner city is the one who gathers more people as you to pedal for a city free of pollution.

It is not about being the faster, it is about being the most constant one. The winner city will be the one where people have done more kilometers during their daily trips: going to work, to the school, etc. The idea is about replacing the motor vehicles, which we are using daily to move around, and transforming all the smoke in good vibes and healthy exercise.

This is very simple, you only have to sign up and you can do that through the application Naviki.

You can find all the information in the official web: http://www.cyclingchallenge.eu/

You shouldn’t miss it! We are already pedaling in Barcelona.

Do not be held up by the rain in Barcelona, continue pedaling thanks to our tips

May 2nd, 2017

During April and May the rain is unavoidable and, although for some people this can embitter his/her walking, we want to recall its profits for the city and some of the tips, which will allow us to ride the bicycle without worries.

Fotografía de Lauren Ellis

Cities like Barcelona usually have problems regulating the pollution levels. A key element for this regulation is the rainwater, because it reduces the air’s polluting particles and it levels the temperature.

In addition, if the city is sensitive to the benefices of rain, it can take profit from other characteristics. With rain it is possible to generate electric energy to illuminate the city. We can irrigate our plants and crops and facilitate the life of the nearby fauna. And as far as the level of the domestic consumption is concerned, we can take advantage of this water to fill tanks and cisterns.

If all these advantages are not be able to raise your spirit during rainy days, you can try going out and pedaling. Adequate equipment: waterproof and flashy clothes and shoes which facilitate the visibility for the rest of the other vehicle drivers; a ready bike with branded wheels, a clean and lubricated chain and good brakes plus; and all your senses on the road. These three key elements will allow you to enjoy your trips on rainy days, while the others stress themselves with the unavoidable traffic jams of these days.

In the end, you will miss these rainy days.

Why we love our job? Because we enjoy our tours by bike in Barcelona like you

April 25th, 2017

We know that bragging is not nice, but we are as happy with the bike tours as our clients, and one of the best ways to show you this satisfaction is sharing some of the comments that people have given us in the social networks. Some of them are true poets 😊

Beautiful, beautiful is the perfect word to define the tour we had.

Eli was the guide that took us with a map throughout the area of the viewpoint of Barcelona, we visited Montjuic the part where the Olympic games of the year 92′ were made and it was incredible.

I recommend visiting the Miramar Restaurant with a spectacular view towards the sea.

The best tour I had in many years.

Aimad Brown (Facebook)

With only three available hours to visit the city and wishing to see everything possible, we ask at BornBike Tours Barcelona, if organizing a private tour for three people in Italian was possible.

It was a great experience!

A perfect organization, disposition and patience which adapted to our necessities and requests.

An absolutely honest and affordable price for all the pockets.

To a great extent, the merit is for Jordi, our guide. Grazie Giorgio!

It could seem a promotional message, but we enjoyed it very much!

Mille Mille (Facebook)

I rent a bicycle for some days and I received an excellence service, personally from Ernest. This man is a poet and a philosopher from the streets, a troubadour of the history, with a warm and personal service, he never let you go without knowing, in an excellent way, all the things that you can do and where you can go by bike in Barcelona, it is like a personal instruction at every place, with stories of the near and far history of the beautiful Barcelona.

10 points!

Gustavo (TripAdvisor)

This is only a little show of all the flattering comments that people gift us since we start the business. We hope that the translation does justice to what they wanted to express.

We only can say that the thanks are for you, because without these great clients we couldn’t work at easy.

Do you already have the Sant Jordi’s book and rose? Get close to the culture by bike, pedaling through the streets of Barcelona

April 19th, 2017

This Sunday, 23rd of April, Barcelona is going to relive the Sant Jordi’s legend with hundreds of books, roses and activities distributed through the whole city.

Bookshops, florists and, also, all kinds of entities are going to take the stands out to the streets this 23rd of April, adorning the sidewalks of Barcelona with their decorated roses and the best sellers of the year. So, if you are nearby, you won’t be able to resist the temptation of stopping there and buying some of the literary wonders which are hidden among the piles of books, and you will leave taking away roses for all your loved ones.

On the other hand, remember that the Sant Jordi’s tradition has progressed. Now, it isn’t a rose for the lady and a book for the gentleman. Luckily, these differences have been left behind, but not the spirit. Culture and beauty are now joined together, in order to create one of the best presents of the year among the people who really want to participate.

If you want to enjoy this day 100%, you also need to leave the car behind. The streets of the center in Barcelona, with a complex access for motor vehicles, are going to be fuller of people this day. Our tip? Take a bike and also enjoy the pedaling to the center.

Which are your plans for this long weekend during Easter?

April 11th, 2017

In Barcelona, you have a lot of offers related or not to this festivity that you shouldn’t miss.

From the Easter workshops for all ages in community centers and museums, to the long pedals through the beach and the mountain by bicycle. In Barcelona you can do almost everything during this weekend.

Are you the whole the family? Go to some of the workshops, such as the CosmoCaixa, or the Chocolate Museum, or the Fundació Suñol.

Maybe you are thinking about something for couples. A pedaling by bike from the beach to the Montjuïc Mountain, enjoying nature and landscape, could be the best plan for you.

And for the other ones that prefer going out with friends, the best you can do is enjoy some tapas (Spanish appetizers) in the center of the city.

With this kind of plans it is unavoidable to love Barcelona, but the part that we really love is that you can do every one of these three routes by bicycle. In this way we contribute to a more healthy tourism, in harmony with the city and the people who live here.

Experience Barcelona in the same way that we do!

Pedal during the 30 days of the month of April and better yourself with regard to one of the most healthy and fun challenges of your city

March 29th, 2017

Photo by Soroush Karimi

If last year you didn’t pay attention, this April, you again have the opportunity of participating in the ’30 days of biking’, a challenge which can define a before and an after in the way you move around.

Every year, during the month of April, the “30 days of biking” are celebrated, an event in which, practically, everybody can participate and share. You only need a bike, motivation and a bit of love for your city.

And the thing is that, for us, you only need a pair of days pedaling to work, or to any one of your daily destinations, to understand the advantages of going by bicycle. If you try it during 30 days, you will not want to take any motor vehicle any longer.

If you don’t believe us, you can convince yourself through other people’s experiences, because this event is shared in the social networks with hashtag: #30daysofbiking. With this simple tag, you will be able to follow the progress of thousands of people around the world.

Thanks to your bike, connect with all these people who believe in a healthy and less contaminated world.

Spring has arrived, and it is the best season to move around through Barcelona by bicycle

March 20th, 2017

This Monday, the 2017’s spring has started and, in addition to the activities and the good mood which accompanies these days, the perfect temperature to pedal through the streets of Barcelona has also arrived.

It’s the 20th of March, the first day of spring and, an inevitable coincidence, the International Happiness’s Day. It seems that seeing how the streets flower, the new smells and the good weather without scorchers can raise spirits even in the case of the grumpiest people.

And, what is directly related to happiness? The movement and the energy. It’s not a matter of chance that the good mood and sports walk hand in hand. The more we move around, the better we feel, and the better we feel, the more we want to do things. It is a feedback which, during this season, make us to get up from the sofa and propel us to get to know new and old places in different ways.

So, we have specialized ourselves in this sector, the sector of the good vibes which make us feel lively. For this reason, we cannot stop recommending you that it’s so important to take advantage of this shove from the spring and rediscover Barcelona pedaling your bike through its streets. For us, this is the best therapy for mind and body.

Bike tours through the popular fiestas in Barcelona

March 14th, 2017

From the 16th to the 26th of March, the fiesta of Sant Josep Oriol will be celebrated in the center of Barcelona. Catalan tradition and culture.

Photo by Chris Lawton

This week, the streets around the Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi are preparing themselves to celebrate the famous Father’s Day, a fiesta which is going to be concentrated between the 18th and the 23rd of March.

Giants, grallers, cercavida, popular music and a lot of activities offer the opportunity of enjoying this great fiesta of the Barri del Pi in Barcelona as an authentic local. Couples, young and elderly people, families… everybody can find the most suitable activity and enjoy them with everybody.

Again, remember that the streets of the center, in addition to be closed to the motor vehicles, are narrow streets due to their historic structure. So, the best means of transport for these days is the bicycle, with which you will be able to move around with complete freedom, going to places very fast and avoiding yourselves the parking problems.

Enjoy the fiestas of Sant Josep Oriol with the people from Barcelona!

Women are unstoppable, even more so if they ride a bicycle

March 8th, 2017

The 8th of March, the International Women’s Day, of this year, has coincided with this spring week in Barcelona. And in this day of historic fight, we want to remember how women are still progressing by bicycle.

Photo by Manfred Antranias Zimmer

Bicycle has been a revolutionary symbol for women, breaking taboos, such as the female’s strength and her resistance capacity through a simple outdoor activity. Women have been empowered by this sport up to the point that a lot of brands have already detected a market niche which is specialized in this gender.

However, it is clear that the fight has to continue.

The image of a woman riding a bicycle in her quotidian life is something that we have interiorized, but as the result of many years working on it. Now, we need to interiorize this image in the competitive world, where they are also achieving great results.

Again, we want to remember the historic quote that Susan B. Anthony, North American suffragist, said in 1898: “Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”

How to avoid the mobility problems during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona? Riding your bike, of course

February 28th, 2017

Photo by Mari Carmen Díaz

This week, the City Hall of Barcelona is working very hard to avoid the mobility and access problems to the giant congress of mobile technology. We, riding our bicycle, haven’t noticed it.

Barcelona is the headquarter of the Mobile World Congress since 2006 and, since this year, the mobility and the access to the city have been the greatest. Speaking of public transport, the underground and the bus lines are completely packed. Speaking of taxis, we find a frenetic movement. But, speaking of bicycles, a luxury.

In counterpoint to the frenetic rhythm which seems that Barcelona is experiencing Barcelona as the headquarter of the newest technologies, we are there, and we are enjoying the city through the streets without stress nor masses. A nice image that we want to share with everybody who hasn’t yet planned a rest, such as we have, during this week.

Our tip for this week:  relax yourselves with a great stroll by bike through our parallel world in Barcelona.

Barcelona is going to be dressed up by the Carnival this week

February 21st, 2017

From the 23rd of February to the 1st of March, this fiesta of the popular culture is going to be present in the city, with a great number of performances and activities for all ages.

Carnival is a great date for going to visit other cities, because it is a fiesta which is enjoyed and, at the same time organized, by a lot of entities of the local society. A fact that turns that into a unique piece of popular culture.

From costumes, your Most Gracious Highness the King of the Carnival, to the Catalan sausage -made with egg, which is typical of the “fatty Thursday”, because gastronomy also enjoys this fiesta. All in all, it’s a combination that you will not be able to resist.

Take your bike and take a ride through the different activities of the neighborhoods. Go into the markets and taste the diverse varieties of the Catalan sausages. And, specially, go to one of the two great events of this Thursday: at 6 p.m. at the Palau de la Virreina, the Seven Ambassadors. At the same time, at the Plaça Sant Jaume, the arrival of the King of the Carnival with animation will take place.

Take your bike and pedal through the dressed-up streets of Barcelona!

A new example about sustainability associated with the bicycle in Barcelona

February 14th, 2017

We are not tired to repeat that the bicycle is the best means of transport in the city. And here we have the news that confirms this premise, but this time we are not only talking about moving ourselves, we are talking about moving products.

The City Hall of Barcelona, together with the Rezero organization, has promoted the Comerç Verd, Comerç + Sostenible initiative –Green Business, Business + Sustainable. With this initiative, the City Hall pretends to make public and spread a great number of testimonies, who work producing 0 pollution.

The bicycle couldn’t be out of this project. For this reason, we find a couple, Marina and David, who are the owners of Freefood, an alimentary products shop. They base their contribution for improving the environment, in the distribution of these ecologic products with their bicycle. In addition, they make discounts to the clients who go to their shop by this means of transport.

We encourage you to look at the video, where the protagonists of this story tell you the advantages and the importance of the bicycle in the city.

(We are sorry, it is only in Catalan, if you have any doubts, contact us by our social networks).

¿Have you been convinced? Tomorrow, you can be who contribute for a better city.

Why you should visit Barcelona by bike this weekend? Because it is going to celebrate Santa Eulàlia’s fiesta

February 7th, 2017

Photo by José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro (CC BY-SA 3.0)

This Friday, the narrow streets of the city center are going to be full of life with the co-patron of Barcelona, Santa Eulàlia. This is the second great fiesta of Barcelona and it will light up its streets in the middle of the winter.

If you are thinking about visiting Barcelona, again, it brings you a great opportunity during this weekend. With Santa Eulalia’s fiesta, from kids to the most elderly will find activities which are adapted to them and which are spread out in the city center.

Giants, cabezudos, colles de castellers, sardanes, correfoc… a little of everything to taste Catalan culture in its entirety.

All the information and the map of the activities are in the event web page. You can visit that clicking here.

Now, of course, although it is not emphasized in the web, we advise you to go to the fiesta with the best means of transport: the bicycle. The streets in the center of Barcelona are very beautiful and full of history, but, they are also very narrow. Forget the car or the motorbike for going to the activities, they will only cause you a headache, especially if you want to park close by.

As we always say, fiestas are the best way to get to know the popular culture of a city; so, you shouldn’t miss that!

A perfect week for a tour by bicycle through the activities in Barcelona

January 31st, 2017

The meteorological prediction advises us that this week are going to have a great opportunity to enjoy the city pedaling through all its streets

born bike tours - Barcelona - Ciutadella

Maximum temperatures of 16ºC and minimum temperatures of 7ºC will allow us to go from one side of the city to the other one with our bikes without getting cold or sweating at all.

From the Agbar Tower, going to Sagrada Família and the great modernist works at the Eixample -such as the Casa Batlló and La Pedrera-, stopping to shop and discover the most typical products in the markets of the city, for example, in the symbolic Boqueria, up to arriving at the relaxing parks and gardens, either in the Parc de la Ciutadella, closer to the sea, or in the Laberint d’Horta, close to Collserola. And you cannot forget to stop at some of the innumerable restaurants and/or bars where you will taste a piece of Catalan gastronomy.

You can experience all these things pedaling through the streets and don’t miss any detail. You can leave your bike close to the place where you want to relax -always assured with a good chain-. The bike lane connects the streets of Barcelona and is getting continuously longer, allowing us to enjoy this experience in a safe way.

Therefore, you cannot miss that! Come to pedal through Barcelona.

Which is the best way to get over this cold wave? Pedaling your bike through Barcelona

January 17th, 2017

Since last week, the meteorology services have been announcing the great cold wave that we are experiencing these days. Don’t be afraid and take your bicycle, in a few minutes your body will feel warm.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo

Cold weather is used as the best excuse to get sleepy under the sofa’s blanket, but this luxury is not allowed on working days, so we have to manage this situation to reactivate our body and keep it warm.

Sport is the key to achieve that. If, in the morning, instead of walking to the underground and becoming squashed among people, or going to the garage to take the iced car (or, still worse, taking the motorbike to suffer a slow freezing while, impotent, we give it more speed), if, instead of all that, we take the bicycle, for sure, we are going to start the day better.

The bicycle gives us life. We will start a bit cold (although, at your own home’s entrance door), but after some pedaling we will need to unbutton the coat. Little by little, we will enjoy the air, the same which bothers the rest of the people, and when we arrive at work we will feel fresh and awake, with our muscles and articulations more active and stronger to stand all the work’s day.

Wind gusts in Barcelona represent a challenge for cyclists

November 9th, 2016

This week the wind has the leading role in the meteorology of the Barcelona city. Although it doesn’t seem like it, this phenomenon represents a big challenge for the cyclists on a psychological and physical level. So, here you have some tips to get pass this gust.

Photo by Everton Vila

Pedaling in a group

You can organize pedaling in a group with your working mates or other friends and thus protect each other from the wind. Sharing a burden allows us to endure it better.

Up gears in the same way as when we are on a slope

When the wind blows against us the sensation is the same as though we were going up a slope. So, you have to act in the same way, up gears, and, although we will have to pedal more, our knees will be grateful to us.

Tight clothes

We should try to as aerodynamic as possible. For this reason, our clothing should be suitable. Specially, we have to be sure that our coat doesn’t flap in the wind. For these kinds of days, choose comfortable but tight fitting clothes.

Anticipate yourselves to dangers

When we cross a bridge or we are being passed by a heavy vehicle, we know that the wind could be dangerous, so we have to be alert and emphasize the caution in this kind of situations. Don’t stop of pedaling, the bicycle is more stable while the back wheel is in movement.

The daily training, the best remedy for keeping up the spirit

This principle can be applicable to practically every daily challenge. It is also very important during our daily pedaling. The more trained our body and mind are, the easier it will be to advance with our bike on windy days.

Bicycle theft is still a problem in Barcelona

October 26th, 2016

Barcelona is working on a safer road circulation -which is the most important- but, on the other hand, it’s necessary to make a bigger effort in order to reduce the number of the stolen bicycles, and this is a problem which discourages a lot of people to continue taking this means of transport every day.

BACC -Bicycle Club of Catalonia- has denounced the great number of bicycles which have been stolen in Barcelona repeatedly. They have calculated that around the half of the users, who use bicycle, have suffered a theft. We can, even, find users who have been theft victims several times in a row.

If we used to be in love with using this means of transport to circulate in Barcelona, we cannot avoid this general problem: the theft, because a lot of users decide to give up the bicycle for this reason.

The only action that we have found in order to solve this problem is Vadebike

This is a company that has provided a service to the citizens with this bike parking lot, which allow us to park our private bicycles in a safety way. We can even leave the helmet. But this solution has a cost for people who use it: €15 per year year and you have to add an extra price per hour of parking.

Other associations and organizations have launched themselves to denounce this problem. An example which deserves to be mentioned comes from these students of the Pompeu Fabra University.

After they hung a bicycle from a height of 5 meters, in order to make their denunciation visible, they have started campaign with signatures so as to ask the City Hall for some measures about these robberies.

We, the same as we advise you to follow all the safety and maintaining tips about your bicycle, in addition, we advise you to lock it the best you can. You should keep in mind to lock the front wheel to the place where you park and to the bicycle frame, and using a second padlock you should assure the back wheel and the seat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t let them take away your means of transport!

‘Som Meridiana’ -We are Meridiana-, an example of a fight for a better Barcelona through the bicycle

Photo by MarisaLR

October 18th, 2016

This next Saturday, the 22nd of October, a pedaling through Avinguda Meridiana will be celebrated. It will be organized by the platform Som Meridiana with the support of the Catalonia Bicycle Club (BACC) and they will claim for a space, which is now completely invaded by the motor vehicles. 

Som Meridiana is a platform formed by different neighborhood associations, that are from some of the neighborhoods which involve this avenue and who, this weekend, riding their bicycles, will claim for a Meridiana:

Which is not a highway.

Which prioritizes (the) public transport and, of course, the bicycle.

Which is a more human place, with green zones and more facilities for the neighborhood shops.

Which is not a wall.

In general, they claim for stopping to be a “forgotten city” and they will do that with a day of reflection, which will be initiated at 9.30 a.m. with a popular bicycle tour called “pedaling the Meridiana”, organized by the BACC. The meeting point will the Plaça de les Glòries and the final point the Jardins d’Elx. At this point, a parade with Batukadas, Giants and Devils will take place and the celebration will continue with activities for the kids and hot chocolate. In addition, from 11.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a lot of talks about environment and alternative means of transport.

Don’t miss it and give your support on your bicycle!

Autumn is back again and we don’t want you to stop pedaling around the city

October 11th, 2016

Photo by Lauren Ellis

Although the rain can be a bit annoying, the autumn’s temperature is perfect for circulating around the city by bicycle and for taking advantage of the weekends for doing excursions. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is to follow some safety tips which we want to remind you about.

You always have to be a prepared person

You should always take a comfortable raincoat with you (there are some of them that you can use that over your trousers) and a good footwear for circulating on bicycle, especially, and for any other occasion where you could be surprised by a rainstorm. So, keep it in a comfortable backpack and take it everywhere.

Pay more attention to the safety rules

When it is raining, inside cars people use to lose vision, for this reason it is even more important for you to have front and back bike lights, put emphasis on your safety signs and be sure that the other drivers pay attention to your next maneuver. Even though all these things seem a lot of bother, but if you drive a car or another vehicle, surely, you will have the same problems.

And, of course, don’t forget your helmet at home!

Photo by Briana Blum

Improve your adhesion to the road to the maximum, avoid slipping!

When it is raining, it is the only occasion where we can reduce the pressure of our wheels (only a little bit, because you could get a flat tire). It is also important to keep in mind that the zebra crossings and the other painted signs on the road could be very slippery, so try to avoid crossing them directly or if you can’t avoid it, cross them very slowly. Sometimes the cars lose oil on the road and this is very dangerous too. When it is raining, you can identify the oil stains easily, they are multicolor marks that appear on the road.

As you can imagine, neither is it advisable to go through zones with mud, unless you want to arrive at the first meeting of the morning with your whole back decorated.

If you keep these three tips in mind, you will enjoy one of the best seasons for doing sport or for going from one place to another avoiding sweating.

Enjoy the autumn in Barcelona or any other city!

The International Cyclist Cinema Festival of Barcelona is nearing

October 4th, 2016

The 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th of this month of October, at the Texas Cinema in Barcelona (Bailén street, 205), Rueda, an international film festival that revolves around bikes, will take place.

If you are a lover of this two wheel vehicle, you shouldn’t miss this ode to the bicycle, with which you will enjoy films, short films and other activities which will be celebrated in the city during these dates.

For these four days, the Texas Cinema has prepared a selection of 10 films and 15 short films. In addition to the projection of the Rueda Kids, during Sunday morning, there will be a selection of short films for the smallest ones of our homes, in order for them to “start to dream with cyclist adventures”.

But not only the cinema will be the meeting point during this event. The Nautical Base at the Playa de la Marbella in Barcelona will be another place with a lot of different activities such as cycling races bike polo and street markets.

We are sure that you will not be able to find a better excuse for leaving home to go pedaling this weekend.

‘La Mercè’, the great fiesta in Barcelona, is coming

September 20th, 2016

Tradition, culture, music, gastronomy… everything you want to know about Barcelona is summed up from the 22nd to the 25th of September.

Photo by: Feradz

One more year, Barcelona will celebrate its great fiesta, La Mercè, which, this year, is going to be celebrated from the 22nd to the 25th of September. And we will never get tired of repeating that: if you really want to experience the city the same as an authentic local person, a celebration like this one is the best opportunity for achieving this. So, if you are visiting Barcelona this days, you shouldn’t miss this.

During the day, you will enjoy all the activities that you can imagine for all the family in the streets of the city. During the night, you will have the best local and international music concerts. A lot of people are going to come these days in order to enjoy and keep this amazing fiesta alive, are you going to be one of them?

Remember, the 22nd is going to be celebrated as the Day Without Cars in Barcelona and the bicycle will take over all the importance in this city, maintaining it clean of fumes during this first day of the festivity.

Are you going to come with us to pedal during the fiestas?

Barcelona, a city which is continuously better for circulating by bicycle

September 6th, 2016

The City Hall of Barcelona is continuously working to obtain easier and safer the journeys through the streets of this city by bicycle. And it seems that they are achieving it!

Barcelona thinks that the bicycle is the best means of transport for circulating through the city. For this reason, as we indicated in other mails of this blog, it is working in order for the circulation to become easier and safer, something that the very neighbors of the city are perceiving.

During the year 2015, the journeys through Barcelona increased a 2.7%, which has turned into 4.9 MILIONS of internal journeys, of which more than 96% have been carried out by the people who live in the city. For us, these figures are an irrefutable evidence that bicycles are going to be the means of transport of the future in these streets, improving, in this way, the traffic, the pollution levels and, in general, the good mood of all the people who are moving through the streets of Barcelona.

In order to guarantee this result, Barcelona has created a new manual about the bike lanes’ signposting. With this manual, it pretends, among other goals, to improve the cyclists’ security, reducing the conflicts with the pedestrian and also improving the routes’ connectivity. You can find this manual in the Bicycle section of the Barcelona’s City Hall web, together with other audiovisual resources which completes it.

If you are not already circulating through the city by bicycle, it seems that you will run out of any excuses to avoid trying it.

The end of August is arriving, but not the end of vacation on bicycle

August 30th, 2016

Photo by Alex Blăjan

With the ending of August we also say goodbye to the summer, but we shouldn’t forget that September is a perfect month for planning long weekends on bicycle. At least in Barcelona.

More pleasant temperatures

If in August the most recommended routes were the ones around the beach so that we could have a necessary swim, in September the degrees decrease so that we can get lost on our bicycle in any place.

Looking for routes on the weekends, be this in order to increase our culture or to the mountain to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, it’s the best way to get rid of the post vacation depression.

Less is more

Sadly, fewer people in the more touristic cities will allow you to move around easier and with much more economical prices. Something inevitable also has its positive part that we should take advantage of.

Take advantage of the increase in energy that we get travelling during vacation in order to continue enjoying different places during different weekend escapades.

More Catalan tradition and culture in the fiestas of the neighborhood of Sants in Barcelona

August 23rd, 2016

Photo by Pere Prlpz

Sants, another one of the neighborhoods with the best atmosphere among the neighbors in Barcelona, replaces the fiestas of the la Vila de Gràcia and adorns its streets from the 20th to the 28th of August.

If your holidays haven’t coincided with the fiestas of Gràcia that we announced last week, there’s no reason to worry. In August Barcelona keeps active and this week it’s the turn of the neighborhood of Sants.

Sants, within the district of Sants-Montjuïc, has been acknowledged during its entire history for its solidarity and the organization capacity of the people who live in it. This element is definitely not forgotten during these days of fiesta.

Activities for Young and elderly people, for families and friends, concerts, alternative fiestas, etc. The possibilities to enjoy these celebrations are practically infinite. You’ll surely find the ones that best fit your taste in order to enjoy the local people.

The neighborhood of Sants can be easily reached by bicycle from different parts of the city. For this reason, as always, and in order to avoid traffic jams, we advise you to get there by pedaling.

Enjoy your stay in Barcelona at one of its fiestas full of popular culture!

Have you taken a stroll around the surroundings of the streets of Gràcia in Barcelona?

August 17th, 2016

One more year the streets of the neighborhood of Gràcia dress themselves up thanks to the impetus and imagination of the neighbors.

Photo by Amaianos

If you haven’t yet taken a walk around the surroundings of the Villa of Gràcia, you have time until this Sunday, the 21st of August.

This year the winning street has been Fraternitat, enlivened within fishing and dressed up with naval details. It’s a refreshing point of the city that you should definitely not miss these days.

If you know the villa of Gràcia, this is a great opportunity to explore it. It’s a neighborhood that is practically pedestrian, full of squares, bars and restaurants. The good environment that is enjoyed is created by the neighbors who are an example of coexistence, cooperation and integration. There’s a clear reason why it has such an important role in the Catalan rumba.

If you’re in Barcelona this weekend, you have the perfect opportunity to discover Gràcia and its history. Of course, we advise you to go by bicycle since the streets are closed to car traffic.

Don’t miss this fiesta and go there by pedalling!

Tips about how to enjoy Barcelona as a local person

August 9th, 2016

There are three key elements to guarantee that your visit to the city will be worth while

The fiestas
As we already explained some weeks ago, summer is the time when the major fiestas of Barcelona’s neighborhoods find place (you can consult the dates and places a few articles further down). The fiestas are a concentration of tradition and culture that gathers the local people and is even organized by them. Human towers, fok musicians, giants, Catalan music and sardanas are elements that are usually always present.

The food
Barcelona is full of restaurants and bars, from the busiest zones with a lot of people, as well as the harbor and the beach, passing through the neighborhoods with squares and the best atmosphere, like Gràcia and Sants, to the most residential ones or full of offices, such as Poble Nou or les Corts (the list, in reality, is interminable, because we have found good places to have appetizers or a good daily menu in all parts).

The architecture
Right on the street and totally free, you have real modernist jewels spread through the entire city. From buildings you can enter (and here you do have to pay) to markets full of local products, that you definitely shouldn’t miss if you like to go shopping.
Everything is perfectly connected through the bicycle lane so that you don’t miss anything and take maximum advantage of your time in the city using the best transport – the bicycle.

Here you have three bicycle routes for deciding what you don’t want to miss in Barcelona

August 2nd, 2016
Do you only have a few hours to enjoy the city? Choose what most interests you.
Appetizers:
Gastronomy is a basic element of the Mediterranean culture. Passing through Barcelona and not stopping at one of the bars to have a drink and an appetizer is almost a sin.
A route by bicycle near the harbor and the beach will open our appetite in order to enjoy the traditional Catalan cuisine.
It’s one of the best mementos of the city that you can take with you.
From the sea to the mountain:
If what most interests you are the visits to Barcelona, a perfect route for you is the one that takes you from the beach through the harbor and to the heights of Montjuïc.
Barcelona is one of the few cities that allows you to enjoy these two types of landscapes at the same time. Therefore, take advantage of it!

Modernist style route
:
If what you like is getting lost in the streets of the city and discovering its architectural jewels, this is your route.
A great part of the activity of the city is carried out in these buildings, so you will find the majority of them in the most centric zones.
Have you decided which route best fits your tastes?

Is playing Pokémon Go on bicycle a good idea?

July 16th, 2016

Whenever we have a necessary safety measures as the principal norm of the game. After some weeks since the inauguration of this videogame, our attentions is attracted by the number of accidents it has protagonized.

Pokémon Go has meant the revolution of the videogames linking our reality with the virtual one. Among its merits we can find the one referring to achieving that people go much longer distances (kilometers) so as to get the strongest types.

It’s not strange that many have considered the bicycle as the opportunity to convert itself into much quicker and efficient hunters.

In fact, in previous versions of the game, we have seen the protagonist circulating by bicycle, but there is one difference: they were not alive nor did suffer after an accident.

So, this week we ask ourselves if playing Pokémon Go on bicycle is the best idea that we can have… If we don’t consult the mobile phone while we are pedaling, perfect. If we take advantage of the traffic light and other stops to consult it there is any Pokémon nearby, perfect. If we don’t abandon our bicycle without a chain in order to run after our objective, even better, because when we come back it will be there in order to move around and look for more species.

As in the majority of our existential questions, if we apply logic we will end up winning. Be careful so that the emotion of the game doesn’t make you lose your head… If you have an accident during the hunting you will not achieve more pokémons.

Experience Barcelona from one celebration to another

July 18th, 2016

As we always say from BornBike, there isn’t a better way to enjoy the city than introducing yourself directly into the traditions and the culture, and, where is a major concentration of these two ingredients? In the festivities. Summer is the season of the different celebrations in the neighborhoods of Barcelona per excellence.

Photo by: Feradz

The 16th of July the Festa Major of Poble Sec, in the district of Sants-Montjuïc, was inaugurated, but if you haven’t had time to enjoy the activities, you have the opportunity to do it until the 24th of this month of July. Coinciding with these dates, the Clota’s fiesta is also going to be celebrated, in the district of Horta-Guinardó, a place a bit further away from the center of the city.

From the 22nd to the 16th of August, Sant Roc, the Festa Major of the Gótic neighborhood in Ciutat Vella, is the most ancient celebration of Barcelona with more than four centuries of history. You can find it easily, because it is centered mainly in the Nova square.

And we love the Gracia fiesta, this year it will be celebrated from the 15th to the 21st of August. We love it for its activities, but, especially, because of its neighbors making works of art in every one of its streets. Although, if you want to avoid masses of people, the best for you is to wait for the Sants celebration, from the 20th to the 28th of August, it also is a great example of a good team work between neighbors.

If you are the kind of people who prefer to travel during September, you also have the opportunity to enjoy the celebrations of Vallcarca, Horta, Poblenou and the great fiesta per excellence: La Mercè.

What should you keep in mind before doing a tour through Barcelona by bike during these summer’ holidays?

July 12th, 2016

During the summer, you can visit Barcelona in a thousand different ways. We want to give you some options, riding your bicycle, with which you will enjoy the hot weather.

30ºC of temperature (86ºF) can be a bit suffocating, especially if we are riding a bicycle. For this reason, there are two very interesting tours for these summer days, with which we can enjoy the landscapes and the culture of Barcelona (especially the gastronomic one) in a refreshing way.

Tour through the beaches of Barcelona

Barcelona has a long coast and with it a great diversity of beaches, which have been transformed throughout the years. Going through them by bicycle, discovering their history and breathing the sea breeze is something unique during the summer.

¡Now, of course! You should not forget a good sun-cream and wearing cool clothes.

Tapas Tour through the most symbolic neighborhoods

Close to the beaches, we can also find the most antique neighborhoods of Barcelona and they have a notable gastronomic variety, so you should not conform yourself with only one of them. The bicycle will allow us to go through these streets and stop at every one of the different terraces, in order to enjoy of a fresh drink with its respective tapa. You will get to know from the most traditional tastes to the most experimental ones. You or your stomach set the limit.

The best experiences for a refreshing Barcelona!

4 reasons for visiting Barcelona on bicycle this summer

July 05th, 2016

If you are someone of last minute planning and you don’t know where do you want to go these holidays, here you have 4 good reasons for coming to Barcelona and enjoying it by bicycle.

barcelona-838716_1920

Mediterranean city

Weather, gastronomy, tradition… Barcelona doesn’t let determinants to chance. Whatever makes you travel, here you have a lot of everything. If you don’t want to ride your bicycle under the rain or under extreme weather conditions, this is your city. If you want an unlimited number of restaurants and bars where you can go to fill up on energy with a good price and a good taste, this is your city. If you want to get to know something different every time you go through a street, this is your city.

Sea and mountain

You can go through beaches and port by bicycle, but if you keep yourself pedaling you can go to the mountain. Everything in a day, from the Parc del Fòrum to Montjuïc and if it is not enough, you can lose yourself in Collserola. Every one of the views are amazing.

Almost 200km of bike lane

In order to make your visit as comfortable as possible, you can access practically every corner in the city easily. In order not to miss anything at street level, because, according to our philosophy, this is the best way to get to know a place from within.

Events, concerts and parties, almost every day

If your holidays don’t coincide with one of the neighborhood celebrations, you can enjoy, in a live way, the culture of the city in many other centers, theaters, museums and bars. Barcelona always has a good plan.

Moving around by bicycle, a way of life

June 28th, 2016

Everyone who uses a bicycle in his daily life to go to work, to shop, to take the children to school… They cannot leave it during the holidays.

Some people start to use a bicycle to avoid the sedentary life in which we live; some others use it because they have become sensitive about the problem of the high levels of pollution in the cities; others because of both reasons or, simply, because they love moving around without traffic jams, with a bit of fresh air and enjoying the views.

Whichever is the reason that pushes us to start pedaling in our daily life, it finally accompanies us everywhere. For this reason, leaving the bicycle during vacation is very difficult and, actually, there are no motives for doing that. Getting to know other places at street level, close to the people, stopping everywhere we want, moving fast through every corner… Practically, everyone who tries it, finally, transforms it into a way of life.

If you don’t yet see it clearly, take advantage at this beginning of summer to discover new and old places and, surely, without realizing, you will transform that into your best habit.

Dances around a bonfire and quick nightly swims on the ‘Sant Joan’ night in Barcelona

June 23rd, 2016

Sant Joan

One more year, we have the opportunity of celebrating this tradition during the shortest night of the year.

At BornBike, we love summer: riding our bicycle through the city, through its green zones and through its beaches. So, we couldn’t miss its welcome.

Photo by Tamorlan

Photo by Tamorlan

From the tour of the flame which never extinguishes, the Canigo’s flame; making a pause for dinner and the “coca de llardons” (a sort of flatbread with pork rind) which we love eating with chocolate; to enjoying dancing around a bonfire with the rhythm of a live concert. And, if it is possible, we should do all of this close to the beach so that we can take a swim which will dispel the bad spirits and refresh us before the coming warm months.

It sounds good, doesn’t it?

And the best thing is that this traditional celebration, as almost all of them, comes with some stories of our culture.

Do you want to get to know them? Don’t miss it. We, if you wish so, can accompany you by bicycle, of course.

Getting to know the Catalan culture, dancing ‘Sardanes’

June 14th, 2016

From the 15th of June to the 3rd of July, every Friday (except the 24th of June) you can enjoy one of the most typical things of the Catalan Culture: Sardanes, with the people dancing to the rhythm of the ‘Les Cobles Rambles” and ‘Baix Llobregat’.

As we always say, one of the best things for getting to know a country’s culture is introducing ourselves in its history, its traditions and its festivities, because we will be able to talk easily with its people and we will feel like a citizen more of this land. So, following this premise, you should not miss the opportunity of experiencing the Sardanes’ dance and music.

sardana-1313942This is a tradition with an unknown origin, danced and played around all Catalonia (it is its national dance) and, practically everyone who wants to dance it, can try it. Your age doesn’t matter, it is for elder and young people.

So if you would like to know more about it, you should take your bicycle and go to Vapor Vell Passage (number 2) in the district of Sants-Monjuïc any Friday (remember: there are no events on the 24th of June) from now to the 3rd of July at 7.30 p.m.

Enjoy it!

Popular Pedaling at the 2016 Bicycle Festivity of Barcelona

June 8th , 2016

Another initiative which has been added to the promotion of the bicycle as the common means of transport in the city.

Bicicletada2015This Sunday, 12th of June, the Bicycle Festivity in Barcelona, a popular celebration open to everyone, and perfect for every member of the family, will take place.

This Popular Pedaling will suppose 10km through the district of the Eixample, with the starting point at 9.30 a.m. in the Aragó Street, at the crossing with Balmes Street, and it will go through key points of the city as: Plaça Espanya, Avinguda Paral·lel, Ronda Sant Pau, Plaça Catalunya, Passeig Lluis Companys (Arc de Triomf), etc. ending at the Plaça de les Glòries with a great fiesta full of activities for everyone.

In addition, this event pretends to be totally accessible to everyone. For this reason it will be a service of adaptable bicycles for people with reduced mobility.

The only thing which is required, in order to get an easier organization, is that each person who wants to participate, sign up through the application form published at the City Hall web.

If you are near Barcelona, you should not miss this year’s event!

 

TripAdvisor, the best traveler critic community, has updated the excellence certificate to us one more year

May 31st , 2016

We have received this amazing news again thanks to the good and continuous reviews from everyone who has shared this marvelous experience through Barcelona with us.

We didn’t want to do the typical gratitude discourse, but… we want to start thanking everyone who has spent a bit of time sharing the reviews about the different experiences with us. We have read all of them carefully, the good ones and the not-so-good ones, to continue working in order to improve our service a bit more every day.

Something very special that we have seen in the reviews is the fact that a lot of them point out the passion we feel for our city, Barcelona. We are sure that this is the key of our success, because we love to share its culture, its history and its gastronomy with everyone interested in them and we want to do it in the most unique and special way.

So, maintaining the words of last year, we want to continue enjoying and doing our work while we guide you through Barcelona with our tours, riding the best vehicle: the bicycle.

Print_Logo_COE2016_es

The markets of Barcelona, gastronomic culture and tradition

May 23th , 2016

Last days for “Love your market” in the International Week of Markets, which has been held since the 15th of May and which is going to finish next Thursday, the 31st.

Under the motto “Choose the market, choose health”, from the 15th, the 3rd edition of this initiative, the International Week of Markets, has been held and which has been joined by municipal markets of Barcelona and other ones of the province.

As we have insisted in other blog entrances, a perfect way to get to know Barcelona in a gastronomic manner and to go to shopping is visiting the incredible markets of Barcelona, which, at the same time, are architectonic jewels. But, these days, in addition, we have the incentive of the activities which are being held in these places for everyone in the family: workshops, talks, gourmet samplings and gastronomic competitions.

barcelona-market-1319601All of these activities pretend to foment the promotion of responsible, safe and healthy nutrition. At the same time, they also aim to promote the market products, fresh and high-quality products.

If you are from Barcelona or you are spending some days here, you don’t have any excuse not to take your bicycle and come to take a stroll through one of these city markets.

 

Barcelona needs you in the ‘European Cycling Challenge’

May 9th, 2016

Barcelona has again taken part in this competition at a European level in the fifth edition and it needs all the support of the city’s cyclists.

European Cycling ChallengeThe European Cycling Challenge is a competition which has been held for the past five years where the urban cyclists are organized in teams (each city is a team) and they have the whole month of May to do the maximum number of kilometers through the city.

Whenever we do any trip through the city (go to work, to buy, to take the children to school or, simply, go for a stroll) riding our bicycle, this will be useful. The most important thing is signing in, we can do that by completing the information manually in the cycling365.eu or (for us the best choice) downloading the Cycling365 free app, signing in as a user, at first, and in the second place within a team.

At the time, Gdansk (Poland) is winning with 259,597km, the same city which was proclaimed winner in the last edition, and Barcelona is in the 34th position (of 52) with almost 5,000km.

Although, for the moment, victory is 254,600km away, we have time to win some positions and show that, in Barcelona, the best means of transport is the bicycle.

The importance of traveling on bicycle for the future of Barcelona

bike, cityMay 2nd, 2016

A big city with more than 1,600,000 of people sharing streets with a big number of tourists, a fact that makes Barcelona a very complex space from different perspectives, among others, the mobility and the environment.

Barcelona is a big city in continuous movement, which adapts itself to the new times. Every day, people talk more about the importance of improving the streets’ mobility for a better coexistence among pedestrians, motorized vehicles and bicycles. They are working from municipal politics, such as the extension of the bike lane net, or from the citizens’ debates, where all the uncomfortable issues about security in the road system are put on the table.

Little by little, this work has been transformed into a bigger sensibility, especially, from the population, who continuously trusts the bicycle more for being the faster, cheaper and, very important, non-polluting means of transport.

The ecology involves the whole bicycle world and it is the key for the future of cities, and for this reason, there are a lot of initiatives such as the Muzzicycles, bicycles with a frame fabricated from recycled PET materials (the same materials used for making plastic bottles), an innovation which is 100% ecologic and has a very comfortable design.

It is very important, if we are already moving pedaling, that we educate and make ourselves aware of the culture of the good coexistence at the road circulation spaces. And if we are not yet moving by bicycle, we should depart from this very point.

Brompton World Championship in Barcelona, for everyone who likes to pedal well-dressed

BiCircuit Festival Barcelona has organized this foldable bicycle world competition, where the only conditions to participate are to be older than 16 and to wear a suit and a tie.

This 30th of April at 10.30 a.m. the Montmeló circuit is going to be invaded, not by the quickest cars of the world, but by the best dressed cyclists. After various editions, the participants of the Brompton World Championship will come back to ride these handmade foldable bicycles, which are fabricated in London.

Photo by Duncan Hull

Photo by Duncan Hull

Why you should participate? The award will be a trip for pedaling in the final of London, where the participants are going to ride 8 laps around the Buckingham Palace this 30th of July.

If you are not yet registered, you have time until the day before the competition (29th of April). In order to train, you only need to ride your bicycle to your work during some days, because the three laps to the circuit are only 14.1km.

This is a good activity for this Saturday (although you will have to get up early, because the distribution of the numbers will start at 8 a.m.) and a good way to encourage yourself to keep pedaling through the urban zones.

A heat wave has come to Barcelona and we have to take care of ourselves

Every time we notice a warm temperature in Barcelona city, although the bicycle is a healthy sport, we have to keep in mind other elements, such as the hydration to avoid heat strokes.

pexels-photo-13915-largeAlthough temperatures have not yet reached the summer’s maximum temperatures and it is good weather for riding the bicycle, if we are in a hurry, it is better to have a drink on hand which allows to keep ourselves hydrated.

Remember that with the physical exercise our body loses a lot of water, either through sweat or through forced breathing, so we should not forget (yes, forget, because a lot of times, as a result of the daily stress, we forget to hydrate ourselves completely and if you are doing exercise you should drink water even though you are not thirsty) then, we should not forget to drink water or other kinds of isotonic soft-drink.

Nowadays, in a lot of shops you can find bottles (the lifelong canteens) which will keep your soft-drink at an adequate temperature and which you will be able to reuse during a long time, helping the environment and your pocket.

Taking water with you is essential, but if you want to enjoy some added benefits, you can add a bit of lemon. Lemon is a diuretic, blood tonic and antioxidant citric fruit that will provide our drink with a touch of freshness, which will be very welcome at the end of good ascent.

Now you can see that taking care of ourselves is easy, so if you are doing exercise to keep in good health, you should not forget the importance of a well balanced diet and a good hydration.

30 days on bike, a citizen initiative for the pollution reduction and everyone’s wellbeing

Last Friday, 1st of April, all over the world the agreement of pedaling during 30 days when we go through the city was started, a step which reduces fumes and pollution, makes us feel better and, surely, will get more than one person hooked.

Since some days ago, the hashtag #30DaysonBike started to move around the social networks, with which a lot of people explain their experiences, stories or, simply share some images about what this great challenge is supposing.

Because, going on bicycle means improving in a lot of senses: in an individual way, pedaling is a cardiovascular exercise with which you can tone up your legs’ muscles, bettering your back position and strengthening your knees. In addition, as we always back up from BornBike, we are sure that the relaxation caused by this exercise, directly affects a stress shortage and an improvement of our inspiration.

At a community level, in addition to being an activity which you can practice with more people and share the experience, with time, it is one of best ways to reduce high levels of pollution which our cities can reach. In this way, we improve the daily traffic and the air that we breathe.

If you have not joined this initiative yet, you still have some days to to take advantage of it. In addition, we are sure that, if you achieve going on bicycle non-stop during 30 days, you will not be able to stop!

The greatest historical celebrities like (or liked) to ride a bicycle

A bike is the best means of transport for almost everyone, so, it is not strange that the greatest historical celebrities consider the bicycle as something else than a simple way of travelling.

If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on”, Lance Armstrong –professional cyclist-.

A tip which can help us during many moments of our life and, in addition, it is really illustrative: the person who gives us the advice has spent a half of his life on a bicycle surpassing challenges and almost every one of us, at a certain time, have taken the risk of riding a bicycle in our lives.

If in case of doubt we feel scared, the best thing we can do is remember the day we launched ourselves down the street on two wheels.

Those who wish to control their own lives and move beyond the existence as mere clients and consumers, those people ride a bike”, Wolfgang Sachs – researcher, writer and teacher of environment, development and globalization.

If someone, who has dedicated his career and his life to theorize a more sustainable development, has said that, maybe it is true that the bicycle transforms us and make us freer from the consumption system in which we live.

Only the people who pedal to work daily can feel the sensation of well-being with the environment and with oneself, a sensation that is accentuated when you see what you save on petrol and the gym.

Albert Einstein riding his bicycle.  Santa Barbara, 1933

Albert Einstein riding his bicycle.
Santa Barbara, 1933

It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them”, Ernest Hemingway –journalist, writer and traveller-.

The contours and all the cities’ corners of the country. From BornBike we confirm this fact every day of our work. With the bicycle you will live an experience which is impossible to appreciate through another kind of vehicle.

And in order to keep up the level, here you have the last famous quotation which, we think, doesn’t need an explanation:

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving”, Albert Einstein –the most acknowledged scientist of the 20th century-.

What is the best way to enjoy spring’s arrival in Barcelona? Pedaling your bicycle

Haystack-bike-springAlthough the winter has come and passed unnoticed and it has given us nice trips through the city, spring continues being the favorite season for traveling on a bike.

Sunny days without being scorching ones

Hot weather can be an enemy, even worse than cold weather, for everyone who likes to travel on bicycle. Enjoying spring temperature will avoid the tiredness caused by other seasons of the year and, even more, it can give us a short break stretched out on the green of a park.

Colors that make the trip more pleasant

We are talking about the colors of spring, not only the colors from plants and trees which start to flower everywhere, but also the warm color tones of the sun over the buildings. If you like to take good photos of your trips, spring light, without burning landscapes as happens in the summer, will give life to your mementos.

The beginning of the festivities

Even though every season has its festivities and they are always reflected on the big city, during spring, the celebrations in streets with all the community are more common, taking advantage of the warm weather. If you are interested in getting to know new cultures during your trips, these kinds of celebrations are the best chance.

You should not forget that spring comes marked by rain. So, when you are preparing your trip, make sure of taking the correct clothes for possible changes in the weather. Warm and under a raincoat, a rainy city also has its charms.

Reflecting on the bicycle

Photo by Matthew Wiebe

Last weekend, we were overwhelmed by the news about the death of Muriel Casals, ex-president of the Omnium Cultural organization and member of the Catalan Parliament in Junts pel Sí party, who was run over accidentally by a bicycle in the center of Barcelona.

A terrible piece of news, the cause of which we don’t want to be a reason for decreasing the spirit of everybody who works to achieve that the bicycle will get to be one of the more used means of transport (even the most used one) in the cities. This is due to the fact that we think this kind of accident can be reduced to 0, because the bicycle is a healthy means of transport and can also be safe. But this can be only achieved if we work together.

Far from repeating, as we have done other times, the advantages of the bicycle’s daily use or the safety tips again, we want to share this fragment from the note written by the Assamblea Catalana d’Entitats de la Bicicleta (Catalan Assembly of the Bicycle Entities), “Dels ciclistes en memòria de Muriel Casals” (“From the cyclists in memory of Muriel Casals”), with which we feel very identified.

“And it is because we love life, actively, involving ourselves in it every day with our personal habits of mobility, that when this ingenious and simple machine, which is the bicycle, our tool to fight for a better life, ends up causing a shortening of a life by a wretched and unfortunate circumstance, it is inevitable for us to intensely and deeply feel the sorrow and the mourning”.

In Catalan:

“I és perquè estimem la vida, activament, involucrant-nos-hi cada dia amb els nostres hàbits personals de mobilitat, que quan aquesta màquina enginyosa i senzilla que és la bicicleta, la nostra eina per lluitar per una vida millor, acaba propiciant l’escapçament d’una vida per una malaurada i desafortunada circumstància, se’ns fa inevitable sentir intensament i profundament la tristesa i el dol”.

Only through everyone’s solidarity and sense of responsibility will we achieve a better city.

2 free applications which will accompany you in all of your journeys on the bicycle

Photography by Paul Green

Photography by Paul Green

If you are thinking of a good plan to ride your bicycle or if you are just using it normally and you want to measure all its physical benefits, it will be very useful for you take one of these two applications in your mobile phone.

Strava

This application will save all your records of time and distance. You will control the frequency of your sport practice and this will make it more difficult for you to distract yourself. You can mark all the routes that you will do and share them later; or the other way around, you can consult the routes done by the other users. In addition, you can access the Challenges section, a good way to surpass yourself. And the most interesting thing, you can follow and be followed, so you will always be connected with your friends, be able to follow their improvements and, at times, provoke them.

Endomondo

In the same line, we have this other (one) application. This is perfect if you like to practice more than one sport. It is very easy to use, you only need to choose your sport and push the play, the pause or the stop whenever you are practicing it. You will be able to see your route on a map and measure the time, the distance, the calories and the heart rate. You can mark your challenges, join a shared challenges with your friends or with the rest of the community. In addition, you can combine this application with “Try MyFitnessPal”, another application about nutrition.

So, now you don’t have any excuses, ask your friends about which application they are already using and go to pedal your bicycle!

Returning to a healthy life through our bicycle after a Christmas’ overindulge.

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Photography by Alejandro Lopez

Surely more than one of us cannot look at a nougat candy or other typical delicatessen, because during Christmas the food excesses are something normal and widely extended. Here you have some tips for returning to a healthy life, of course, riding our bicycle.

With the holidays at their end, it could result difficult for us to find time to take us care of ourselves. But, if we take advantage of our daily journeys, we can benefit ourselves with the bicycle exercise. You can try starting with short distances, otherwise, on the second day you will be totally exhausted. Mark yourself a realistic training and increase it as you go.

You will see that, little by little, you will gain resistance, something very important for the bicycle, because it is an aerobic exercise, which uses the subcutaneous fat from the muscles as fuel. This exercise will help you to recover your health and improve your cholesterol levels, your breathing (something that you will adapt as you train) and your blood circulation.

Combine it with a healthy diet

The Christmas food is not characterized for being light, for this reason it is important to return to our daily food habits, with less fat and grilled or cooked in the oven, without sauces, but with a lot of love.

Some of the intentions which cannot lack in your 2016 New Year list

new-year-s-eve-ceremony-champagne-sparkling-wineIn a few days we will start the new year and, as usually happens, we cannot avoid looking back, reviewing everything that we have achieved this year and prepare a new list of intentions for this next year.

Surely all of the intentions that you have thought of are good and laudable, but, please, ask yourself these three questions:

  1. Are these intentions specific enough? Setting up great goals without some specific steps which we need to achieve in order to arrive at the finish line is a typical error which distances us from our objective.
  2. (¿)Have you deadline dates? Using a deadline date in each one of the steps is also a key tool.
  3. Are these intentions realistic? No one knows us better than we ourselves, so, on the base of this, review your intentions again and convert them into something realistic.

Based on our principles, we want to suggest three intentions to everyone, which cannot be lacking in any list:

  1. Go to work by bicycle… You have a lot of tips about how and why you can do this in our blog. Following the previous questions, you can start achieving some steps, such as: the first weeks I will go by bicycle one day, the next ones two days and, in this manner, increase the number progressively. It’s important for you to mark you the dates of the advances on a calendar so that you can see the quick progress.
  2. During the next holidays put the tips about ecotourism into practice: look for new activities which you haven’t experienced yet, in some place of the world that you don’t know and share them with the people of the place.
  3. Get to know more about your city: How many corners of your city don’t you know? Start with local tourism which brings you closer to your roots. It’s cheap, easy and gratifying.

With these three intentions, which each one has to adapt it to his expectations, we will achieve a lot of other intentions that appear on our list: more exercise, more savings, reducing the pollution, reducing the consumption…

And if you have achieved some of them already, plan on a way to improve them and share them with us 😉 We are in contact through the social networks.

Some suggestions so as not to get so fed up with Christmas

Photo by Nikola Jelenkovic

Photo by Nikola Jelenkovic

After weeks of suffering talking about how close the Christmas days are, with the advertisement, with all the nougat candy which won’t arrive on the night of the 24thnight, with the indiscriminate present shopping, with the surprising number of invisible Santas that we have…finally we definitively arrive at the point of being two weeks away from the Christmas festivity with a significant overindulge.

In order to avoid this overindulge, from BornBike, we want to present you with some different suggestions for enjoying this Christmas. And, with this winter of short sleeves in Barcelona, all the suggestions will be related to the outdoors.

Take a walk through the activities of the city

As we have explained during the last weeks, this year Barcelona is betting on a series of supportive and fair trade activities, which look for an alternative Christmas. If you are looking for getting away from consumption these days, you can enjoy the fairs, activities and performances distributed throughout all the districts of the city. This week: International Chess Tourney in Horta-Guinardó, a photographic and interactive Manger in Sant Andreu Nord, dynamic and educational activities at different schools of the city as of the 24th and the Christmas Fairground at the Joanic Square, in addition to all the performances and activities which are being carried out at the different fairs of the districts.

Ride your bicycle through the gardens and parks

Take the bike and take a ride that, apart from avoiding the boring Christmas films of all the afternoons, will help you to digest the big meals and to enjoy the fresh air. In addition, in a lot of parks you will also find fairs and activities. Even though, if you are trying to avoid that, you can always go to enjoy the roads of Collserola. We have told you about them many times.

Get down to the beach with your bicycle

Inaugurating winter, what is more original than riding your bike around the beach? Furthermore, this year’s temperatures and physical exercise will allow us to almost wear short sleeves. Of course, this is a great way to escape from Christmas, if this is what we really need.

So, there are no excuses! So, whether or not the Christmas spirit is accompanying you, don’t stay at home and take advantage of these holidays days!

With Christmas days so close, Barcelona bets on supportive and responsible consumption activities

Let’s have a look at the coming activities to be celebrated in the centre of the city, such as the Altaveu per a la Cohesió Social (the Loudspeaker for the Social Cohesion) at the underground lobby at the Universitat Square.

Photography by Kate Zaidova

Photography by Kate Zaidova

If, during these last years, Christmas has been the reflection of a society who lives a model of consumption and excess, this year it seems that Barcelona wants to make the population aware of the necessity of a more supportive and sustainable model through the activities organized during this festivity.

As bicycle lovers, because of this being an example of sustainability, ecotourism and effort and self-improvement capacity, we want to do our bit to help this initiative add efforts to promote this kind of activities and talking about them these next weeks.

So we will start emphasizing that this Friday, 11th of December, La Fàbrica del Sol and Eduxarxa has organized a number of activities at the lobby of the Universitat Square underground, all of them aimed at promoting the good neighbourliness, under the name of the Altaveu per a la Cohesió Social (the Loudspeaker for the Social Cohesion).

If you are from Barcelona, you should take your bicycle and go there to participate in the great Scrabble with supportive words and enjoy the Planet Impro performance. And if you are not from Barcelona, but you are around here these days, also come by bicycle to get some ideas for your city.

Let’s all together achieve a more supportive and sustainable Christmas.

December, a great month to visit Barcelona by bicycle

The weather, the city’s activities and, of course, the holiday and relaxed days are the best ingredients for going through the city by bicycle.

Photography by Maria Rosa Ferre

Photography by Maria Rosa Ferre

One might think that during the winter the best choice is the sofa with a blanket and a film, but we have a better recipe to fight against cold and boredom, taking advantage of Barcelona and getting to know it to the maximum.

The cold can be a great ally (or the cold air, because in Barcelona, being a Mediterranean city, the coldest temperatures during December vary with the maximum around 5/6º C); we will start pedalling with a coat, a scarf and a cap and in a few minutes, we will have enough with wearing a sweater or a jumper. We will be more than warm.

With the long weekend of the Constitución festivity and Christmas’ holidays so close, the city, usually full of activities, extends its number of proposals with new expositions, stage plays, street markets, etc. Wherever you go on your bicycle, you will find one or another activity adapted to your tastes.

In conclusion, if you are living in Barcelona or you have the opportunity of visiting it, you already know which is the best form of arriving everywhere, enjoying the city to the maximum.

 

The bicycle’s importance to improve mobility of the cities in the ‘Smart City Expo’ of Barcelona

This week the Smart City Expo in Barcelona is taking place, in which, among many other things, the importance of reducing city traffic jams are being talked about. Which is our favourite proposal? The use of the bicycle, of course.

1200px-Barcelona_skyline

Photography by Frank Müller

During the last years, the interest in improving circulation in cities, the pollution and the level of life in general through the bicycle has stopped being only an interest of the society. City Halls and important firms at a technological level, for different reasons, are seeing an opportunity in this simple transport. This is shown by the Smart City Expo that is being celebrated in Barcelona these days, where they are presenting a great number of projects to improve the city and make it “smarter”, more efficient and for the service of society who lives there or who is passing through.

In addition to different projects focusing on making the public bicycle services more accessible, the mobile applications also stand out: “I think that the best invention for smart cities is the mobile phone” has affirmed the Smart City Expo World Congress director, Ugo Valentí. Because of the different and infinite applications, especially dedicated to routes, which we can access from our mobile phones and which are totally free.

It seems that we will continuously have fewer excuses to leave our bicycle at home; so, if you haven’t done it yet, start to pedal towards the city’s future.

If you have a bad atmosphere at work…Go for a stroll on your bicycle!

Sometimes the routine stress of work can get us to pay our bad ways against the people nearest us: our workmates, although they don’t deserve it.

Surely, most of us have spent a period of time being a bit more stressed than usually at work, and it could be because of a project that failed, or because of a personal situation, or, simply, because we don’t feel as motivated by our job as at the beginning. When this happens, very often, the relationship with workmates can make us tense, and we get to separate from them, when the best would actually be to keep united.

born bike tours - Barcelona - CiutadellaSo, why not try to return to the starting point with other kind of activities? Start again getting to know your mates, away from the work environment, finding out about their personal life and/or personal motivations. All these actions can help to recover the mutual confidence and that’s always useful in our daily life.

Searching for activities during the weekend, which don’t mean a long trip and which are easy to organize, could be so effective in order to improve our relationship, especially if our activities are planned for a group and in a natural environment, the opposite of the condition in the office.

For us, nothing better than to go for a stroll through the streets of Barcelona by bicycle to clear up our ideas, feeling free of complications and starting again with our friendships.

The keys of the ecotourism

Although we have the sensation that an eternity has passed since we were on holidays, surely it has been only a month and a few days, enough time to get away from our experiences and analyze our trip in a critical way.

by Diogo Tavares

by Diogo Tavares

For this analysis, the definition and the seven principles on which The International Ecotourism Society bases itself can be a help for us. So the Ecotourism is not any other thing than: “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. In order to achieve this we have to:

1. Minimize physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts:

Obviously, at this point we cannot stop insisting on the kind of means of transport that we use. We, of course, prefer the quick, efficient and non-contamination bicycle, always knowing and respecting the each city‘s regulations.

2. Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect:

And an interesting way to do that is moving around the city to the maximum in order to get to know its history, its art and it culture, in addition to its surroundings, especially if they are a source of nature and always leaving a minimum physical trace of our visit.

3. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts:

Knowing local people and sharing experiences with them will always make our trip so much richer. In order to do that, it is usually enough to be respectful and friendly.

4. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation:

Collaborating, as well as possible, with these places which we love to visit.

5. Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry:

To go and use local shops and services will get us closer to the people of the place and to the way that they live together. So, why do we have to go to the same shops, which, surely, are also in our city?

6. Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates:

The present context will indicate so much about the place and the people that we are getting to know.

7. Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities:

Something so basic that we surely will always intend to comply with it in our daily life.

8. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment:

Something so basic that we surely will always intend to comply with it in our daily life.

So, now we have to ask ourselves: At how many points we have implemented these on the last holidays? And, in this way, trying to improve in each one, our next holidays will be have 10 points!

 

Evolving on wheels

Pedalling daily can be a hard work, especially when the problems arise going upwards and the weight pushes us back. But going on wheels, the effort is compensated and finally we always have a good idea about how to distribute the weight in a more comfortable way.

Wheel changed the Human history more than 7,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, some millenniums after this evolution was applied to transport and mobility. And, although there are some precedents in Egypt, China or coming from the very Leonardo Da Vinci, it is said that, the French Count Mede de Sivrac took a rapid jump in history to the celerifere in Paris in 1791. Since then a diversity of innovations have taken us, step by step, to the modern bicycle the way we know it today.

And this very simple means of transport is an innovation source which improves every day in order to make our trips more comfortable and swift.

As the proverb says: Mens sana in corpore sano (healthy mind in a healthy body). In order for our mind to continue working on the evolution it is important to keep ourselves fit. The exercise promotes the neurogenesis which improves our capacity to learn and can so carry our ideas much further on.

Don’t put handicaps on your ideas and pedal stronger and further away every day. And if you are not convinced about this tip, take a look at this funny video, directed by Silvio Helbig and produced by The Shooting Gallery S.A.:

New challenges to improve your health and get yourself fit pedalling this September

Surely on the return of this holiday you are more motivated and you want to get fit again, and if you aren’t, you are still on time. See how:

Last week we reminded you that weekends are perfect for carrying out different activities in nearby places, taking advantage of the bicycle flexibility and that it can result inexpensive. This is a good way to do exercise and there are a lot of other ones at different moments of the day without costing neither money nor time. Our favourite one: going through the city on bicycle, especially if you live in a city such as Barcelona.

Benefits:

Pedal one hour every day. And don’t think that one hour is too much! Only with the daily journeys we are sure that you will not have any problems to achieve that. Think about the time that you spend in the car or on the motorbike going to work, picking up your children, going to meet your friends… Pedalling you will contribute to improving your cardiovascular system; to strengthening your muscles, including the muscles of your back, which, surely, this first week of work, are crying out for this; and to achieve a general well-being, in the sense that the physical exercise means that our body secretes hormones, endorphins and serotonins, which surely help us fight against the post-vacation depression.

How to achieve that:

Fotografia de David Marcu - Fuente: Unsplash

Fotography by David Marcu – Unsplash

It’s possible that the first days you will have problems with starting. Because of that we advise you to call some friend who practices this exercise regularly or who is as motivated as you to start with this. You can meet at some place on the way to work and encourage each other.

Calculate the right time of the route to your work. Try not to pedal by racing on your first day and arrive slovenly. And keep calm. This time will reduce once you get used to going by bicycle and controlling the route in a more efficient way. Take a replacement t-shirt with you. It doesn’t take up too much space and until the winter arrives  you will be grateful.

With a little bit of will power in a few days you will see the benefits for yourself.

Convert yourself into one more citizen of Barcelona pedalling the bicycle

Getting closer to people of a city in a cultural, historic and social way is what will transform our journey into a unique trip. How should we do this? Get carried along the streets by someone who really knows them!

When we travel to new places, apart from breaking the routine, usually, we look for getting to know the city in detail. We look for all the information through guides and internet and, we leave with thousands of routes in our head to experience and to pass through. But all architectonic works, museums and corners of the city lack sense if we don’t know their history fully and, finally, we just forget them or we mix them up with memories of other trips.

In order to avoid this, the best choice is to look for a trip mate who knows all the details of the history, because he or she has lived with them all his/her life.

By travelling with local people, we will have a great opportunity to live a new experience, much richer and more authentic than all the notes that we could compile before and during the trip.

This, together with the opportunity of going through the streets on a bicycle, a vehicle which allows us to move through all the streets easily, much quicker than walking and appreciating more details than going by car, will be the perfect combination for assuring us that we are using our trip up to the limit.

On bicycle through the Parc de la Ciutadella of Barcelona

One of our favourites places where we will find all the facilities for circulating on bicycle.

Parlament-de-CatalunyaTwo weeks ago we promised you an article dedicate to the amazing Parc de la Ciutadella of Barcelona, and BornBike keeps its promises. Although we have talked about this and other parks of the city, we want to dedicate a special mail, because Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the perfect places to visit, to enjoy, to rest and especially to circulate on our bicycle.

Its very situation makes it special, because it take up all the central space of the triangle made up by the Estació de França (a train station), the Arc de Triomf (a monument) and the Olympic Port, places that you cannot stop to visit if you are in this zone.

Even though over the years of its history it had a dark age, due to the fact that in the 18th century it was the Fortress of the Ciutadella which was built by Felip V in order to dominate the city after the War of Succession, on the occasion of the Universal Exposition in 1888 it was rebuilt by the architect Josep Fontserè i Mestre. The result was this great park visited by millions of people every year.

It’s important get to know this and a lot of other details about its history because when we ride the bike through its sinuous earthen pathways, we will find pieces as unique as: the Monumental Waterfall; the Music Kiosk; the Mammoth; the Lake (where we can take a small boat); the Ciutadella Church; the General Prim Statue; the Lath House and the Greenhouse; the Lady with the Umbrella;  the Martorell Museum of Geology;  the Castle of the Three Dragons; or also the very Parliament of Catalonia, with the Desconsol (Distress) Statue just in front of that. If we don’t know its history we cannot enjoy these jewels which make this park unique enough.

So, save a morning of your stay in Barcelona and start riding through the paths of Ciutadella, stopping at every one of the marked places and having had a ride around all the  park, look for a calm hideout at the picnic zone to rest and eat some appetizers. Without any doubt, it will be one of the best mornings that you can enjoy in Barcelona and in the evening, when the temperature becomes more pleasant, you can go to refresh yourself at the beach. It is so close, and even more so on bike.

born bike tours - Barcelona - Ciutadella

From Gothic to Modernism, all the faces of the historic Barcelona in a tour

Which could be a better way to discover the history of Barcelona than through its art and its architecture?

Basílica Santa Maria del Mar fotography, by Paul M.R. Maeyaert

Basílica Santa Maria del Mar fotography, by Paul M.R. Maeyaert

Barcino was the first name of this city in its founding during the Roman Age. In the medieval period, it became an important capital and some of the Romanesque works were reconstructed to give way to the Gothic ones. Nowadays you can get to discover a lot of these creations, such as the Born Market or the church of Santa Maria del Mar, by taking a ride through the streets of the city.

But the centuries of Barcelona history bring us many more works of art, such as the modernist ones, which were born from one of the most important artistic movements in the capital and in Catalonia. In this city we will find, in a perfect state, works such as the Palau de la Música, The Pedrera, the Casa Batlló or, popularly known for its continuous construction, the Sagrada Família.

We can get to know almost the whole of these architectonic works during a morning on bike. The narrow streets of the Born sector, one of the most important parts of the district of Ciutat Vella, are full of secrets which you have to discover if you want to get to know this Gothic part of the city. In the sector of the Eixample, a really important commercial centre, we will experience the change with great wide streets where we will find the famous modernist works.

Take advantage of your trip and experience the history of Barcelona closer by pedalling through its streets.

Discover the coast of Barcelona in a different way, a new plan for this summer

To plant yourself under the sun of the beach in the Barceloneta all day is not the only way to enjoy the coast of Barcelona. Discover that by taking a ride by bicycle.

If the last week we proposed a tour around the mountain of Montjuïc, this week we suggest for you to also discover the history and the evolution of the beaches in Barcelona, especially the Barceloneta.

We will start at the Port Vell (Old Port), one of the oldest parts of Barcelona. It has gone through more than four centuries of transformations: from being one of the first stable docks of the city to becoming an important commercial and touristic zone.

Following the sea line, we will go through the sector of the Barceloneta to arrive at the Port Olímpic, built for the 1992 Olympic Games, a key event in the Barcelona transformation. And in this line of transformations, we will arrive at the Universal Forum of Cultures, another great place of modern architecture of the city.

bornbike ciutadellaUpon returning, in order to not repeat, the best place to get to know on bicycle and stop to rest is the Parc de la Ciutadella with perfect earthen pathways for circulating and green spaces for lying down and enjoying the shade. In addition, you will find great jewels (although this will be the content of another mail, so we will do it in the future…).

Enjoy this tour through the coast of Barcelona which is full of activity during day and night. From now until the 16th of August, on Thursdays and Sundays at 9 p.m., there are also free projections of films and short films at the San Sebastian Beach of Barcelona!

From the sea to the mountain during a morning of a cultural and historic tour through Barcelona on bicycle

Barcelona is not only a port city with lively beaches; it also stands out thanks to its green places, especially Montjuïc, a magic mountain, which we can reach by pedalling from the sea and where we will find the best combination of nature and culture.

tour-bornbike-MontjuïcFrom this elevated place we will have the best view of Barcelona, but before, we will enjoy an amazing tour, because in BornBike we think that without the previous experience the end is not so worthwhile.

In order to arrive at the top from the port, the best choice is to start at the Statue of Colón, although instead of following its indication, we will go up through the Paral·lel Avenue, a homage to the scenic arts in the city.

At Plaça Espanya, we will continue going up through the Maria Cristina Avenue, a street that, without any doubt, you should not miss if you want to get to know the history of the great events in Barcelona. We will see the National Palace, the Magic Fountain lit up in the evening and the Poble Espanyol in first person. All of them are the results of the International Exposition in 1929.

Once we have arrived at the top, we cannot forget the Sant Jordi Palace and the Olympic Stadium: both were protagonist of the 1992 Olympic Games.

And then yes, we can observe Barcelona at the Mirador (Lookout) de Miramar, because then we are going to do that with a richer and more experienced vision.tour-bornbike-Montjuïc-vistas

Experience Barcelona through a gastronomic tour

One of the best ways to learn about the culture of a place is tasting its more traditional products.

Taking a walk through city streets, we can learn about its history, its art and its architecture; we can observe some details of the daily life of the people who live in the place; and we can take nice mementos in the form of a photographic postcard, but if we really want to enjoy the city exploring it, it is basic to enjoy its gastronomy.

There are dishes which cannot taste the same in any other parts of the world. Barcelona is characterized (in addition to many other things) by its port zone, so it’s basic to save some time for sitting on one of its terraces to taste its fresh fish and shellfish appetizers.

Although, as a big city of the Mediterranean, the traditional and the new tastes are combined in appetizers and tidbits elaborated in bars and restaurants. We will find them as we pass through the streets of Ciutat Vella. There we can taste food from the most traditional Catalan cuisine tidbits, to the most experimental fusions.

tapas-tour-bornbike

Without these appetizers, the experience in Barcelona would be incomplete. So, now that you know this, take the bicycle, go around the city pedalling in order to stimulate your appetite and go to taste part of the culture!

Take the bicycle and go around the markets of Barcelona, there are a lot of choices!

We propose up to 14 markets to pass through, where you will find all kinds of typical and non-typical products from Barcelona, all of them better than the habitual July sales.

Barcelona_Mercat_Boqueria

Mercat de la Boqueria de Alain Rouiller

Markets have always been very important meeting places for the cities. There you can (would) find all kinds of curiosities and products of the gastronomic base of the zone. Barcelona is not only full of a great variety of markets; in addition, the majority of them are architectonic pieces which uncover part of the city history. So…¿Which would be a better way to shopping than visiting some of these emblematic markets of the city?

If you really want to shop and taste some of the most delicious products of Barcelona, it is almost obligatory take a walk through one of the most famous markets: the Boqueria Market; although if it is far away from you or not within your tour, there are five more markets where you can find the best typical products: the Sant Antoni Market, the Santa Caterina Market (we will be impressed by its colourful roof), the Concepció Market, the Ninot Market or the Barceloneta Market.

If, apart from the products, we are interested in modernist art from Barcelona, we can’t fail to go to the Llibertat Market, the Sants Market, the Galvany Market or the Sarrià Market.

¿And what if we are full and we want to look for clothes or other curiosities? The Encants Market of Glories is the best place to lose ourselves among clothes, handmade products, new and old objects… although if you prefer a place which is specialized in culture, the Sant Antoni Dominical Market is your place. And following the Barcelona traditions, you couldn’t miss the Flors Market in the Rambla.

Besides these permanent markets, in Barcelona the tradition of second hand street markets has also increased. One of the most famous ones is Lost&Found. The next upcoming date is on the 20th of September at the Plaça del Mar (Barceloneta).

Don’t forget your bicycle! With it you can plan a one day tour through the different markets, which we have proposed you, and in addition you can load all the things you have bought in a better way.

Continue pedalling the bicycle, also during the summer

In January the Department of Territories of the Generalitat de Catalunya made the information of the Barómetro de la Bicicleta (Bicycle Barometer) public, showing that 450.000 of the people in Catalonia daily move around with their bicycles, number which has maintained itself stable since 2011 and which has doubled itself compared to 2006.

450.000 of the people in Catalonia love pedalling to their job every day, a number which has maintained itself in the majority of the cities and which has increased 11.5% in Barcelona. With our strong legs, knowing the pleasure of moving around by this means of transport to our destination and being aware of the personal satisfaction which the fact of pedalling the bike every day means, how could we stop doing this during the vacation?

Whoever rides the bicycle daily doesn’t do that only to go from one place to another. Besides being pleasurable, we also contribute to an improvement of our environment. Everything is advantages which we can continue enjoying during our vacation. We can discover new cities going through their streets faster than walking, saving time, but without missing little details, as would happen if we travelled by car or by public transport while we contribute to a responsible ecotourism which get us closer to the people who live in this city.

During the summer, don’t park your bicycle. With it you can enjoy yourself much more.

Bike rental

We offer fully equipped and adjusted city bikes with 3/6 speeds! We also rent tandems, for couple’s rides.