Tales from the Trails II. Hoyo de Manzanares: a natural Bikepark.

Iago Garay waving and drifting

Hoyo de Manzanares is a small town 35 kms north of Madrid with a history and particularities that makes it a unique place. The Sierra de Hoyo de Manzanares is part of the “Sierra de Guadarrama” and inside a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. It is such a particular natural landscape made of low trees, dry soil and granitic rocks everywhere, These rocks with proven therapeutic properties are a symbol of the town and the preferred choice for the kings of Spain to build royal sites such El Escorial or the Royal Palace of Madrid since the XVI century.  Snakes, lizards, wild boards, and vultures complete the wild life that can be found in Hoyo.
Due to the importance of its location, since the medieval age  multiple trails were built all along the Sierra de Hoyo by shepherds and construction traders, moving between Segovia and Madrid. Today these trails are an amazing playground for Mountain Bike and one of the most legendary Enduro Spots in the Sierra.

Sierra de Hoyo de Manzanares, part of Unesco´s Biosphere reserve.

Emilio choosing a creative new line

One of the most peculiar granitic rocks is what the locals call "La cama del Diablo" or "Devil´s bed", due to its shape of a bed, and connecting to the legend that the devil used to roam around the SIerra, setting 7 doors to hell. 
When hosting our friends from the Marin Stans Race Team for their pre Season camp, we decided to take them here, right below the "Devil´s bed". It is a really rocky and technical area, with multiple natural drops and jumps, being a perfect spot for some practice before a race. The hard soil rarely gets muddy and can be pretty slippery in the extremely dry conditions found in summer, making a fast riding here a real challenge. We use to head to Hoyo searching for its challenges, but also to delight ourselves with an incredible scenery of big rocks with different shapes, vultures flying over our heads and the Devil´s bed watching us from the top. 

Our clients from the Marin Stans Race Team, enjoying a flowy section.

The terrain gives no rest, with multiple technical sections everywhere.

The Sierra de Hoyo is like a natural bikepark, packed with drops and jumps.

Rob Williams showing some shreding techniques.

Iago leveraging a jump

​It was a really funny day, full of speed and adrenaline, that amazed our british friends. Again, they could not stop saying how amazing was to be just 40´ driving from Madrid´s downtown....

Hoyo delivers endless possibilities

Iago jumping with the "Picazo" behind him.

Smiles created, mission accomplished!

Some technical clinic in the Chalet before departure.

The after riding is always so much fun, with multiple traditional restaurants and bars where we head to enjoy the stories of the day. Seeing the smile in the faces of the Marin Stans Team, we are glad once again of sharing with friends and customers the experience of riding in the amazing trails of the Sierra de Madrid.

​Our mission as smile creators is once again accomplished! 

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Words: Félix Torija / Charlie Chewning.
Riders: Iago Garay, Emilio García, Marin Stans No Tubes Team
Photos: Ben Winder and Olly Jelley.