Most people traveling between Madrid and Barcelona opt for the high-speed train or a quick flight. Efficient, yes, but hardly memorable. In an attempt to spice things up, Pedalma offers a radically different perspective: traversing the vast and varied terrain between Spain’s two major cities by bike.

Last weekend, over 100 cyclists traded highways and terminals for winding backroads, sleepy villages, and the raw beauty of central and northeastern Spain. The route, which has been barely modified since the inaugural edition five years ago, not only challenges physical endurance but invites participants to connect with landscapes and communities far off the tourist trail.

What’s in between?

The 2025 edition of the event once again delivered an unforgettable experience. This year’s route spanned 685 kilometers with 7,000 meters of elevation gain, to be covered in a maximum time of 50 hours. Although it may not look exceptionally tough on paper, the extremely high temperatures turned it into a proper challenge. Do it in one go? Stop to rest for the first night, and even the second? The distance triggered participants to brainstorm different strategies, but regardless of the initial plan, the end goal was the same; reach the Tibidabo church in Barcelona.

Participants lined up at the athletics track of Vicalvarada Park in Madrid for the start, which was divided into different waves, the first one departing at 10.30 AM. Once out of the capital, the concatenation of secondary roads started. The ones at the front stayed true to the principles of ultradistance racing and rode in parallel, while little groups formed further back.

Among the first riders who reached the initial checkpoint in Cifuentes at kilometer 126, there were usual suspects like Ulrich Bartholmoes, but also inexperienced individuals who had dotwatchers analyzing their racing resume.

Four additional checkpoints were spread along the route, located in strategic places to boost the morale of participants when they needed it the most. They could see flags welcoming them to villages like Mequinenza and Belchite, and were cheered on by the organizers while getting their brevet card stamped.

This year, due to the early spring rain throughout the peninsula, the fields were greener and delighted participants with beautiful landscapes along the entire challenge. Many of them mentioned the Mesa River Valley as the highlight of the route.

After two-thirds, the battle at the front was between Ulrich and Jesus Hernandez, who was making his debut in an ultradistance event. We already came across his profile and his engaging videos around cycling nutrition, but his performance in Madrid to Barcelona was nonetheless surprising. As Jesus documented post-race, the leading duo were riding in parallel on the way to the coastal city, but he made one final move in a not-so-obvious flat section that would end up being decisive.

A revamped final

One of the few route changes for this year, but very relevant, was the addition of one final climb to Tibidabo, compared to the flat-ish stretch leading to the finish line of previous years. Those living in Barcelona may know the climb from Molins de Rei to the church like the back of their hands, but they probably never did it sleep-deprived and with 670 kilometers in their legs.

The castle that overlooks the city from its highest point saw riders finishing their effort from as early as 10 AM on Saturday, until the time cut and beyond. Jesus was the first one, after only 23 hours and 36 minutes of elapsed time. It took him less than a day to ride from Madrid to Barcelona. Impressive.

Once again, this event was proof of the difference between how those at the front experience an ultradistance challenge compared to the rest of the pack. Jesus Hernandez mentioned that, even if the weather forecast was good, he had to face a rainstorm lasting multiple hours. A big share of his scarce stopping time was invested in sewing his thermal blanket to be able to ride under the pouring rain. In contrast, most of the participants did not see a single raindrop, but they indirectly suffered the consequences of the storm. “It is hard to believe the number of snails we encountered along the route”, said Maialen Zabala, the Chilean ultrarider. These little animals pop up in wet conditions, and those secondary roads were their meeting point.

Each participant crossed the finish line with a different story to tell, because Pedalma’s Madrid to Barcelona is more than a cycling event; it’s a journey that redefines what it means to travel between two cities, inviting riders to rediscover the space in between.