javier romagosa
The normal thing -and the easy thing- is to go out for a walk with friends along the usual roads, the ones that we all know and that are relatively close to us. There is also the case of new fans who are just starting out in this world and do not know very well where to start the machine they have bought. And well, it also happens that when you simply want to go out alone, whether you're seasoned or a neophyte, you don't really know how to string together the different points on the map that you'd like to go through. The week is hard and it often leaves our brains like a raisin.
Even once the route has been chosen, if it goes by intuition or recommendation, we may end up considering that we have wasted time. What if we are wrong? What if that acquaintance who told us doesn't have the same idea of what a good road is as us? A little with all this in mind is why we thought of launching this series of reports that we begin today. The idea is not only to create itineraries that can be easily navigated through Google Maps or Roadstr (if you have not tried this app don't stop downloading it), If not, show them beforehand so that you can decide in advance if you want to go through them or not.
Okay, we're going on a road trip, but… And what car are we going in?
Regarding the mounts that we will use to record, we have opted for the new Alpine A110. Beautiful, effective and undoubtedly classic cutting machines. For this first installment we have an A110 Pure, the simplest variant; but beware that, for the one who writes, fan as you know of the old irons, It is the most attractive of the range. Even at the risk of abusing Saint-Exupery, The essential is invisible to the eyes.
Our unit comes as optional equipment only bucket seats, and lacks things like parking sensors, now ubiquitous. It has the right technology so as not to be anachronistic, such as the robotic gearbox, but at the controls you have the feeling of going in a car and not in a spaceship. And look at that color, and those small diameter rims topped with balloon tires. How tradition dictates!
Going back to the aviator and writer, what is truly special about this car is its handling. With no desire to give more the ember - I already tried to convey my feelings In this test- nothing else to say that in this specific case I felt more than ever like in a classic. 'Youngtimer', of course, but the same complicity, the same respect, the same recognition and mutual care. In short, the same dance, because the car has always been the same, no matter how much they try to sell us something else now. The A110, from my point of view, is faithful to this premise. See you later technological hogwash and unnecessary equipment, hello to the real thing. At least in a car of this profile.
Beautiful roads of the Sierra Oeste: A journey in stages
Well, the idea so you don't waste more time than necessary if you're not interested, is as follows: Now, at the beginning, I leave you the maps, both of Google (which unfortunately does not allow to activate the navigation) as by roadstr, and an example of the type of roads we will hit to see if it hooks you. In this case the chosen fragment is something like bonus tracks of the route, the addition to the itinerary in case you want to have breakfast or have an aperitif in Ávila instead of returning directly to Madrid.
* Turn up the volume well to hear the car.
The other thing I urge you to consider beforehand is that in photography and video there is such a thing as depth of field. There will be parts of the videos where you say these guys are going full throttle, but be warned, that impression is misleading: Having shot at 20mm, everything seems deeper, longer than it is, and that's why it seems like we're moving faster. I mean, this is not even remotely a appointment in Paris; Actually, we were much calmer than it seems.
*Click here –> to load google map, and —> here for the one on Roadstr. Google won't let me add the extra to Ávila, pay attention to the directions below if you choose this map. And well, pay attention in general, since you already know that browsers can mess you up…
Stage 1: Highway M-522 to Quijorna
Let's say we start the itinerary heading towards Quijorna from the swamp road, the M-501, coming from Brunete or Boadilla, for example. We then enter a fairly fast road that runs between oak groves. If when you get to the top you look to the left, you will see the beautiful location in which the town is located, at the foot of gentle mountains. This first and short stage is nothing more than the warm-up prelude to what is to come, which we will go through at a rate of increasing intensity.
Stage 2: Quijorna – Navalagamella, through the Port
When leaving Quijorna the fun really begins. First we will continue flattening but, little by little, we will climb. After a curve to the right under the holm oaks we begin to climb the pass. It is not very steep because, again, and in its style, it is moderately dynamic. A place to enjoy of the benefits -and the sound- of the mechanics and the benefits of the chassis of the machine that we carry.
* Turn up the volume well to hear the car.
Stage 3: Navalagamella – Fresnedillas de la Oliva
This training It starts with some curves with quite bad slime. I have traveled them thousands of times, with different cars and motorcycles, uphill and downhill, and the result is always the same: Although beautiful, they are not beautiful to do. I recommend taking them calmly trying to look to the right, where you will see a beautiful valley. Once you get past these first few turns, go ahead with confidence. If you measure well, and always safely, the road is fun and varied.
* Turn up the volume well to hear the car.
Stage 4: Fresnedillas de la Oliva – Puerto de la Cruz Verde
As you may have deduced, we are following an alternative route to go to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. We could also go from Fresnedillas to Robledo de Chavela and then to the top of Cruz Verde, where the mythical inn-cafeteria frequented by bikers is located. There is also the possibility of, once we reach the first crossroads, going left towards Zarzalejo instead of right towards Peralejo. However, in the first case I like the road that goes from Fresnedillas to the mentioned intersection better and, in the second, I hate going up Zarzalejo to Cruz Verde, the road is excessively narrow.
You are going to love the M-532, another beautiful, varied and dynamic route. Then we simply cross Peralejo and continue towards San Lorenzo and Cruz Verde on the M-600. There is almost always traffic and it is nothing to write home about, so be patient until the Port begins.
* Turn up the volume well to hear the car.
Stage 5: Cruz Verde and the wonderful regional routes towards Ávila
Once we reach the Cruz Verde, and although it is usually busy, At that time there are very few people. Time to sign it, always respecting the path that leads to the Chair of Felipe II. After the ascent, the descent of rigor to the gorge and the bridge that crosses the river Cofio. This road, M-505 and CL-505, which I recommend you take another day to Ávila, is a prodigy of variety that goes from oak groves to pine groves and steppe. Wide and well banked, it allows you to overtake with some ease, so a little traffic should not be a problem. In short, another fun road, and also different from the previous one; we will travel it to La Cañada, moment where the really good stuff will begin.
* Turn up the volume well to hear the car.
Stage 6: Around the Port of Arrebatacapas
Indeed, a bit of everything I've traveled so far was to get here. From La Cañada we enter an area of smooth curves and endless straights, great for taking some good photos. There is nobody, the square is deserted, and the landscape, of steppe and pine, is a joy. The AV-P-307 provincial road is narrow but not too narrow, ideal for the Alpine. We keep going, preferably in short marches, until we reach the junction with the AV-503, which gives us the choice between going towards San Bartolomé and Ávila, on the right, or Cebreros, on the left.
This is where we must choose if we go for him bonus tracks from the beginning to spend the morning in Ávila capital, or if we follow the main circular itinerary. One thing does not take away the other, but the longer you delay in returning, the more chances you will find traffic as you approach Madrid. If you want to spend time in Ávila, but keep to your schedule, I recommend going back directly along the CL-505, and you will see the most spectacular area of this road, which is just after La Cañada. But if what you want is an overdose of curves, you can do everything by deviating through La Cañada on the way back or, directly, going back through San Bartolomé.
* Turn up the volume well to hear the car.
In this case, we decided to shoot directly for Cebreros, without going through Ávila. The family waits at home (this time they have not come) and around 12 in the morning we have commitments. So we headed to the most exciting part of the route, what is known as the Port of Arrebatacapas: Curved curves and more curves at low speed and low gears, one after another, but all different. This is what we came for, and we're going to have our fill. Little by little, we approach the port itself, whose descent is absolutely dramatic.
Stage 7: Descent towards Cebreros and return to Madrid
But first we climb a little higher, into the shadows. And when we get to the top boom, the light comes on and what we see at our feet is an amazing valley with the town embedded below. You have to download all that, so have fun. We are falling little by little while we enjoy beautiful views. Once in Cebreros, we cross the town in search of the detour towards the AV-502, in the direction of Robledo de Chavela, which turns to the right.
* Turn up the volume well to hear the car.
The road becomes faster, with sporadic twisting sections between pine forests. It's great. Smooth mountain, we return taking advantage of the generally good cambers, which together with a wonderful road surface give us the feeling of flying home. The magic of the route; since we left we were already a with the A110, but now we are more than attuned. This car is a darn delight and we're making good progress ready to get on with the weekend.
Arriving at the intersection with the M-512, we turn left to continue towards Robledo and, further on, once again on the road through the swamps, head towards Navas del Rey, Chapinería, Quijorna. Brunete, Boadilla, M50, M40… And from there to anywhere. If it is the third Sunday of the month, you come back before 12 and you have nothing to do afterwards, I invite you to finish the job at the Villaviciosa market, that will be at its peak 😉
*Lastly, if you cannot get the A110 out of your head and you value it as a serious purchase option, perhaps it would be good if you called or wrote to Carlos Sánchez, from Alpine Center Madrid, at 628831283. You also now have an offer with three years of free maintenance.
