I'm heading with MrsReady to Madeira for a week in May and I'll hopefully be riding 3 days with Freeride Madeira, and touristing the other days. But, would you take your own bike or use one of their hire bikes? I know there's nothing like riding your own, but would it be worth the faff for those few days?? The hire bikes look decent to be fair
Aside from biking, any other recommendations for 'must do' things to see?
I took my own bike, but if the bikes they have for hire look decent and would not cost significantly more than taking yours then you may as well hire,as it's a right faff taking a bike on a plane.
Can't really help with other things to do as we went there purely for the biking. But the various restaurants and bars in Funchal are decent.
We went about three years ago and there aren't a lot of "must sees", it just isn't that type of destination (IMHO)
Funchal old-town is an obvious one, but you'll need transport to visit elsewhere. We visited a steam-powered sugar cane factory in Calheta and tried the rum (as opposed to Madeira wine).
Viewing over the nun's valley is impressive. The evergreen cloud forest and levadas are both well-worth a wander and you'll no doubt cycle some of the royal paths (Caminho Real)
I really enjoyed the dolphin-watching trip from Funchal. Saw a flying fish gliding ahead of the boat, which was pretty special. Saw plenty of dolphins but no whales, they are around so you might be lucky.
The Hortensia Tea House is rather pleasant.
Nice cat.
The Levadas are fantastic, but choose wisely if you're not a fan of exposure.
Taxis were cheap when we went, best way to travel.
Don't expect great nightlife, eat early, everywhere closes about 10pm.
I hired a bike from them and it was fine. They take your weight and brake preference, and so suspension etc. was set up ready.
If I was to do it again, I'd hire a bike but take my helmet.
There's loads to see and do away from biking:
https://www.madeirachoice.com/activities/
https://www.madeirachoice.com/blog/guided-tours-of-madeira-santana-and-the-east/
https://www.madeirachoice.com/blog/guided-tours-of-madeira-porto-moniz-and-the-north/
I loved Madeira and I stayed in Calheta . I did a day with Ebike madeira and did some Levada walking. I'd love to go back but hire a car and see more of the island. It's like Jurassic park .
Another vote for whale watching (we went on a catamaran) with snorkelling. Snorkelling was brilliant in deep water with lots of fish and the odd turtle to watch.
Freeride had Scott full suss's (genius?) when I spent a day with them last year, decent bikes TBH though I'd have preferred my own. The riding was awesome but sketchy as it was a wet day (the mud over there is like ice!) Madiera itself was a beautiful place too would love to go back.
For just 3 days I'd hire. We were there last April and going back this May to do the Trans Madeira. One of the big advantages of the hire bikes is that they wash them for you at the end of the day. Our bikes were caked in mud at the end of each day, it's a real gritty bearing destroying mud. I did a full frame strip and bearing change after getting back from 5 days riding, the bearings were completely shot.
Oh, and don't expect summer riding conditions, bring warm and waterproof gear. Conditions can be grim any time of year at the higher altitudes, we went expecting summer type riding weather, got soaked and frozen every day. Will be packing thermal layers this time.
Can be getting lovely warm sunny weather down at the coast and lashing rain, high winds and really cold up higher.
I was there in September. I was quite underwhelmed by the riding experience. We got picked up at 09:15 from Funchal and were on the trails by 10:30 after a long drive each day. Then at 14:30 it was time to drive back. We typically only did 2 hours of riding each day looking back at my Strava.
The food on the other hand was superb. We ate out every night and the food turned out to be the real highlight of the holiday.
Many thanks for the replies. Just need to get the all clear from work and we'll get it booked. Looks an amazing island!
I think I'll go with renting - their current rental fleet is Cannondale Jekylls so I'll have a chance to try out these new fangled 29er wheels.. 🙂
I went on news years eve, I wish I had brought my own bike, it was a Cannondale Jekyll but getting used to 29" wheels (my bike has 27.5/26) the Shimano brakes - either on or off, the suspension didn't seem that plush and the pins in the pedals weren't very grippy. I was holding onto the coattails of riders in their 20's and 30's (I am in my 50's) Still a lot of fun though! I brought my own helmet and knee pads and just carried my FF on the plane with me. The temperature was 9° at the top and 22° at the bottom but this was the last day in December. So for three days, I think it would be worth it to bring your own bike.
I posted about my experience in this thread.
Personally I'd always pick my own bike over a rental. Cost wise 3 days rental will be similar to a bike on your flight.
just booked Madeira for July.
fly back quite late on the last day but probs have to leave Funchal too early to spend the day with Freeride, esp if they are on the other side of the island!
Still plenty of time to ride though, just wondered what the options were to ride out of Funchal itself? dont mind a big pedally loop after 4 days shuttled..
Cheers
For non-bike touristy stuff:
Faja dos Padres is brilliant, cable car straight off a cliff, great swimming off the jetty at the bottom.
Monte gardens are amazing.
I took my own bike. It’s not much hassle but it’d definitely be easier to rent one.
They had FS cannondale 29ers as rentals the other week. they looked OK. Folks riding then seemed way better than me on my own bike 🫤.
You’ll want to fettle it a bit. The FRM folks seemed happy to help tune the bikes to preferences.
FRM folks were great! Trails were a lot spicier than the Doritos on the other thread.
If I were not for biking I’m unsure what the draw of Madeira is. Some folks like the walking I suppose.
My favourite spot on Madeira is Fanal forest
