GRAND PRIX MOTO GP 2012 CHESTE

The MotoGP Grand Prix of Valencia held since 1999 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste village located 31 kilometers west of Valencia.
This year celebrates its 14th edition on November 9-10-11 . 
And although the championship is already decided, it has become an essential event for Spanish fans , in addition without pressure, will be easier than the pilots trying to show off more expectacle. 

These are the schedules of the races.

The ticket prices range from 45 to 155 Euros.


Next to the circuit is a camping area for attendees with capacity for 2,000 people. The campsite is paid separately and for motorcycles are free.
There are also a range of hotels and houses from the neighboring villages at varying prices.

Those who prefer drinking alcohol (remember if you drink, do not drive), or by have no vehicle circumstances, also can arrive by train to nearby circuit, but thanks to the AVE, comes not from North Station in Valencia You need to reach the station of Valencia-San Isidro (the metro to the station is included in the train ticket). Find schedules here.

poster taken from the official website

IV BIKE RIDE VALENCIA-CUENCA IN REGIONAL TRAIN DEFENSE 1-4 October 2012

This year takes place the quite possibly be the last route Valencia-Cuenca in defense of the of the regional train, because the threat of the government privatizes RENFE (national railway company) is increasingly clear for 2013.
Because of the deliberate abandonment of the infrastructure and network of the regional train (and the commitment to high speed, which communicates only large cities and "Requena." That also is not accessible to all citizens), their quality has dropped and therefore its travelers. So they are no longer profitable and want to eliminate these utilities.


The route consists of four stages:

-Thursday 1, at 9:30 AM meeting point in Valencia North Station (train) departure at 10:30 to Buñol, estimated arrival 15 hours. 50 km (altitude 347 meters).

-Friday 2, to Buñol exit at 10 AM, Utiel estimated arrival 17:30. 62 km (altitude 373 meters).

-Saturday 3, Utiel exit at 10 AM, Estimated,arrival to Carboneras de  Guadazaon at 18 hours. 82 Km

-Sunday 4, Exit from Carboneras at 10 AM, arrival Cuenca estimated at 13 hours. 18 hours concentration in defense of of the regional train. The bikes will be collected in a van and reunite with their owners in Valencia. 18:53 train back to Valencia to arrive at 21:50 in San Isidro (station subway / train) in Valencia.


We hope that the weather permits this bike ride, because at the moment, does not look very good.

The stages are somewhat hard (it is advisable to be somewhat in shape) but not hurry to arrive there.
There will be a support van to carry backpacks and for emergencies.
They sleep in the sports centers of the towns for free (bring a sleeping bag, insulating mat, etc..).
The tour will be on bike paths and ciclables roads.
Anyone can be incorporated into a stage, or leave the day you want. There are railway station at each stage.
Please confirm attendance, limited (by capacity of the van).
Link of the organization (in spanish).

poster taken from they're  web site

PLANO LINEAS EMT (AUTOBUS) VALENCIA/ VALENCIA EMT LINES MAP (BUS)

STRIKE ON METROVALENCIA & IN TRAM (ALICANTE)

Today Wednesday 17 and Monday 22 Metrovalencia and Tram (Alicante) have called partial strikes.
Metrovalencia make partial strikes from 00 hours to 03 AM, from 06 to 9:30 a.m. and between 18 to 21 hours. Besides four total days  on 25, 29, 30 and 31 October.
The Alicante's Tram perform these strikes of 07 to 10 AM and from 17 to 20 hours.

These strikes are a result of the  E.R.E. (Record of Employment Regulation) of this public companies, and the minimum services marked by the Generalitat Valenciana are from 55% in the peak hours to 40% in the rest hours.

Metrovalencia picture taken from Wikipedia

GETTING AROUND VALENCIA (MOTORENT)

A good way to move within Valencia and surrounding area is by motorcycle. It is easy to park (as opposed to the car), not tired, you don't suffer traffic jams, consumes little fuel, thanks to the climate of Valencia can be used virtually all year, and is comfortable to visit nearby villages.

Curiously enough, the Spanish law, allowed to drive motorcycles up to 125 CC to any person who has the car driving license (card B) over 2 years (within the Spanish borders, and whenever a license compatible with European rules).

Since not all have motorcycle a few years ago was installed on Valencia Motorent franchise (rental motorbikes). With very reasonable prices and unlimited kilometers (unlike cars):

12 hours 29 Euros.
24 hours 39 Euros.
A weekend (from Friday until Monday early morning) 95 Euros.
199 Euros a week,
(If you prefer another mode there are to negotiate with them).

The motorcycles are offered only Suzuki Burgman 125, a scooter with the center of gravity lower than other brands (which gives more stability and security), the trunk under the rear seat's largest market (capacity is for 2 helmets) and has a minimal consumption. Although don't is a motorcycle for many kilometers by road (by displacement) is very useful.

In Valencia have (to my knowledge) two stores:
General Barroso Street 37, (0034) 963 770 304  
Avenue Tirso de Molina 21, (0034) 963 408 056  
Both are Suzuki motorcycle shops.ID is required. and valid driving license.

Motorent logo, taken from their website

ADVENTURE TOUR (the day before the Tomatina Buñol, August 28)

If someone wants to come on Tuesday 28 August, I have planned a route of about 10 km.

The route starts at the train station of Buñol, about 12 hours, followed by a visit to the castle, the route is medium-low difficulty,  we'll walk to the Cueva del Turche (lake formed by a plummeting natural where we can take a swim) by mountain roads to reach the hostel of Actio in Alborache, where we will do an adventure activity Climbing in  climbing wall, hanging bridge Tirolina (flying fox?) and Archery (the activities depend on the number of participants). And whoever who want can also swim in the pool. At the end, we will walk to Alborache (which is at 1 kilometer or so) where we'll catch the bus to Buñol. Where the route ends.

To join you have to confirm until 1 week before to my mail differentguides@gmail.com or my phone (0034) 622 456 890 (0034) 622 456 890  My name is David. Because it is necessary to confirm the hostel.During the tour I will explain history, curiosities and landmarks (including information on the party area and places to eat).

The finish time depends on the number of participants (more participants more adventurous activities, and therefore end up later.

According to many participants we are, the price will vary between 15 and 20 euros, including the route, adventure activity, the pool, the bus back (and once in Buñol backpack you can leave your in my home until the next dayif you want) .
How you arrive depends on each one, the food must be brought from home, but if someone wants, you can talk to the hostel and there you pay, will be paid before starting the route, and not wait for someone who is late from the departure time.

The route will be in English and Spanish, participants will be between 10 and 20 to make the adventure activity.

No one who is drunk or with clear effects of having used drugs, can participate. And it requires respect with the other participants (who did not have it, will leave the route).

Recommendations for the route:
Wear sneakers or hiking boots (no flip flops), swimsuit (and a towel if you want), sun hat (and sunglasses), sunscreen (because even look for shade, there are not too many in Buñol), sandwich or similar (You can also wear it for dinner, although there are quite cheap prices), comfortable clothing, backpack (it is more comfortable and easier to leave in my home at night, or to take it away), water (we will find sources, but there are not potable water is from the mountain).

picture of the hostel where we will make the adventure activity made by me

MOVING INTO VALENCIA (Valenbisi): TRICKS

-You can make unlimited journeys while it is in force, and although it is an extreme nuisance, it is worth changing along the way the bike at another stop for the 30 minutes starting again.
-Once you get your the bike this is your responsibility, so be sure at the return it that is well attached. The screen informs to you if it is properly engaged or not, but there are a very few stations that you print the receipt, check it several times
And the fine for theft, or engaged for you make a wrong is usually 150 euros.
-Check it the maps of stations to seek alternatives to the tourist areas to return it or to take one peak hour (as for example in the area of the beach during the morning are all sites occupied and in sunset there is usually no bikes available although throughout the day the bikes are redistributed through Valencia, it is always better to look for more hidden stations.
-Do not use the service to go outside of the city of Valencia, because it will be very expensive, you will not find any station to park it and if you have any problem, you have to improvise a solution. To do this is worth looking for another type of rental service bike.
-Do not trust in the locks that carry the bikes, because although the people don't steal many of this bikes because there are difficult to sell, it have a very bad locks.
-Check that everything works right, it's better change it before going to discover any problem in the halfway.
-Although it is recommended (and required by municipal law) carry a reflective vest and helmet, you can always justify to the police saying that if the council not provide its on bikes, you don't think that it's obligatory.
-Respect the traffic rules and the specific to the bike that i will publish in another post. Especially for your safety and to avoid fines (because we are in crisis and the police fine you for anything).
-The general conditions of Valenbisi only speak of the obligations of the user and not of their rights and the responsibilities of the company (which is illegal), for any problems inform yourself in a consumer association.

picture of a Valenbisi bike station made by me

valenbisi in the courts for abusive clauses

MOVING INTO VALENCIA (Valenbisi):

It is a public bicycle system of the City of Valencia with concession to JCDecaux, which starts from a very good idea, spread in about 275 bike stations about 2750 bike for the public can use them on short trips.
there are City bikes that are very sturdy and quite heavy, the wheels have not air (to avoid punctures), instead take a flexible foam that gives them the strength needed to run without problems (which is also very toxic and bad for the environment .)
They are designed to endure (as they say) 20,000 kilometres per year. It's ergonomic, the seat is adjustable and have a continuous light (please check it out), and have a bell (don't have a reflective vest, although the local standard requires to wear it in the evening , neither have a helmet which is requires too in the municipal standard).
And we simply need an authorized card and a pin number for you can use one that you find available.
The bikes carry a front basket (pretty large) for objects, and a lock (small and bad).
The card has two modes:

Payment of long-term (annual) designed for residents of the city, which be paid 24.41 euros. This gives us the right to use the first 29 minutes free of charge, from minute 30 to 60 also you have to pay 51 cents and hour of each block of 2.03 euros (you have to pay the full hour even if you give back before the end).
The annual subscription also can recharge in the card's bus pass mobilis.
It can be register online at the Valenbisi website, at any bike station with the card mobilis and ypur credit card (any that they accepted) or in their offices.

-Subscription for short duration (a week followed) designed for tourists, which cost 12.21 euros. What give us the right to use it for 29 free minutes and from the minute 30 to 60 pay 1.02 euro, and later each block of 1 hour will cost us 3.05 Euros (no discount for return before) also for this subscription we must leave a deposit of 150 euros (charged to your credit card, which will thaw into your account within 48 hours and 21 days after the end of its validity). It is available in the office or at the bus stop with a credit card (that they accepted), (I think is also required the card mobilis).

Can only be register in the service people over 18 years and people between 16 and 18 with their legal authorization.

The Office is located in the tower of San Felipe, on the Paseo de la Alameda next to the pergola kiosk (near Viveros Gardens).
Monday to Friday from 10 to 14 and from 16:30 to 20 hours. Saturday from 10 to 14 hours

picture of a Valenbisi bike station made by me

GETTING AROUND IN VALENCIA

Valencia is a city that although it is the third largest in Spain, is relatively small and within everything is relatively close. Depending on fitness, time available (either if you are in a hurry to get somewhere, or length of stay in the city), resources (financial, driving license, etc. ..) or preferences, be more useful one option or another.
It also has the upside that almost all of Valencia is flat (except ramps up and down the river and very few streets (which is hard to find) with a minimum slopes that are very short.
Ways of getting arround are:

- Walking as most of the things are quite grouped. It is also a beautiful, practical and inexpensive way to see Valencia.

- By bike, since very few sections with slopes, and in recent years has increased the number of cycle pathsalthough it should be careful, because neither cars nor pedestrians respect it too much.

- By bus, there are many lines, some of which pass through areas very interesting (and are cheaper than the touristic bus). Although it has the problem that the pass frequency varies greatly according to lines, areas and times.

- By metro and tram, which despite its few lines, are quite useful, although it should consult timetables on the lines come to the surrounding villages. In addition to saving money they have been removed the ticket offices and you must to carry cash to buy the single ticket (very expensive) or reload the Bonometro (slightly less expensive) in the automatic machines.

- On motorcycle, either own or for rent. The largest part of the year there are good weather, allow to use it throughout the year. The rental option is not suitable for all budgets, but is quite useful.
- By car, which I only recommend for to go outside of Valencia, the people from Valencia because are slightly chaotic driving and look for parking in most areas is an impossible task.

- Personally I do not recommend or skate roller skates (except on routes to enabled zones, because the streets of Valencia are not very smooth and stable. Also I don't know where rent them (though I seek information about it).

- The taxi, not usually necessary (unless you have a hurry, or late at night), is quite expensive and also in big cities, often do more tourist routes, and less practical.

picture of one of the few ramps of Valencia, on the River Turia made by me