Today, we’re taking you on an unforgettable journey as we fly 5,200 miles to the stunning island of Madeira, Portugal. Known as a hidden gem off the coast of Morocco, Madeira is considered one of Europe’s top mountain biking destinations. In this post, we’ll dive into our travel struggles, first impressions of Madeira, and of course, the thrilling mountain biking trails we tackled on day one.
Why Madeira?
Madeira is a lush, mountainous island renowned for its incredible landscapes, unique culture, and, as we discovered, world-class mountain biking trails. From flowy singletrack to challenging technical descents, the variety of terrain here is unlike anywhere else. For us, this nine-day mountain biking adventure with Radwall Madeira promised everything we love: thrilling rides, stunning views, and a dive into the local culture.
Travel Adventures (and Misadventures) to Madeira
Getting to Madeira wasn’t without its challenges. Our journey started smoothly with upgraded seats and excellent food on the first flight on British Airways. However, our second flight hit a snag when fumes in the cockpit forced us to turn around. After two hours stuck on the plane, another hour on a bus, and three more hours of waiting, we finally boarded a new flight from London to Madeira.
Exhausted but excited, we arrived in Madeira to discover a breathtaking island – and the great news that our bikes had arrived safely.
First Impressions: Food, Culture, and Pastries
After checking into our Airbnb, we were blown away by the view. We celebrated with what we thought would be iced coffee but turned out to be a decadent treat complete with whipped cream and ice cream. Walking through downtown Funchal, we quickly fell in love with Madeira’s vibe. Of course, we couldn’t resist sampling our first Portuguese pastel de nata – a custard tart that’s as delicious as it sounds.
Day 1: Mountain Biking Begins
Meeting Radwall Madeira
Our first day of riding started with a short bike ride to meet our guiding company, Radwall Madeira. It was an exciting moment as we also got to meet Jeremy from Sensitive Strength, someone we’d only known online until now.
Trail Warm-Up
The day began with blue trails to ease us into Madeira’s unique terrain. These trails were fast and flowy with incredible views and lush green foliage. The dirt was grippy and perfect for carving corners. Locals warned us about the infamous “Madeira trail ice” – a phenomenon where the dirt turns slippery after rain. We’d soon find out how true that was.
Challenges and Highlights
Unpredictable Terrain
Madeira’s trails are as diverse as they are beautiful. On the west side of the island, we tackled trails with jumps, technical sections, and tunnel rides through stunning greenery. The steep descents and loose dirt kept us on our toes, especially as the baking sun dried out the trails throughout the day.
Technical Riding and Crashes
From “sniper rocks” to narrow ridges with drop-offs, Madeira’s trails demanded focus and skill. Fatigue from jet lag and the 8-hour time difference added to the challenge. A few hard crashes reminded us of the importance of staying alert and riding within our limits.
Favorite Moments
One highlight was riding through tall-walled sections where you could push into the walls to maintain speed. Another was being shot out onto ridges with stunning greenery on either side. The combination of technical sections and flowy trails made each lap an unforgettable experience.
Bike Setup for Madeira
The right bike can make or break your mountain biking adventure, and Madeira’s trails are no exception. Here’s what we were riding:
- Joe’s Bike: Revel Rail 29 with 170mm front travel and 155mm rear travel.
- Emily’s Bike: Evil Wreckoning with 170mm front travel and 166mm rear coil shock.
- Checkout our FULL bike setup here
Radwall Madeira also offers rental bikes for 65 euros per day, including pads. A full-face helmet can be rented for an additional 10 euros. Trust us, the added protection is worth it.
Jet Lag Tips for Adventure Travelers
If you’re planning an adventure trip like this, overcoming jet lag is key. Here are our two top tips:
- Eat in the local time zone as soon as possible.
- Exercise hard upon arrival to reset your body clock.
Wrapping Up Day 1
Day one ended with sore muscles, dusty gear, and huge smiles. From fast-flowing singletrack to technical rocky descents, Madeira delivered on its reputation as a mountain biking paradise. We’re just getting started, so stay tuned for more epic trails and adventures as we explore the rest of the island.
Want to See the Action?
Check out our YouTube video where we document all the thrills, spills, and incredible views from day one. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to follow the rest of our Madeira journey.
Plan Your Trip to Madeira
Inspired to plan your own mountain biking adventure in Madeira? Let us know in the comments if you have any questions about trails, gear, or logistics. We’re happy to share what we’ve learned.
Stay tuned for day two of our Madeira adventure! Happy trails!
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