Road Riding Around ALicante

roadiesean

Hi, I am lucky enough to be off on Saturday for a fortnight in the sun in Gran Alicant near Alicante, does anyone out there know what the riding is like and where is a good place to head to ? I'm looking for rides up to about 60 miles (as I am with the family and need to spend SOME time with them !)

Anyone ride out there ? Any good chaingangs/club rides that anyone rides ?

Thanks a lot
Sean

bigjim

I think you need to ride south towards Torrievieca if you want to keep out of the mountains. Unless you are into that. Go north and inland you will find some big climbs. Only been in winter when there are a lot of bike teams about. Bit too hot for them now.

gabriel959

In fact the teams are riding some of the big climbs (special category ones) on this years vuelta. Aitana and Cofrides!

bigjim

I meant amateur teams and clubs. Only seen the pro teams on mallorca during the Winter although I'm sure they use the mainland also.

roadiesean

Damn my timing, I get home the day before the Vuelta starts. I do like my big hills though, so will do a bit of both ! How far away are the mountains ?

craigenty

My mum lives in between Alicante and Torrevieja. To be honest the riding close to that coast is crap - you'll just spend your time avoiding dead dogs (I kid you not - once counted 7 on a 30 mile ride) and glass. The roadsides are disgusting!

HOWEVER! - get up early and drive 1h SW to Murcia and the Sierra Espuña national park. There's some fantastic riding and i found one of the best hills I've ever climbed (can't remember the name - sorry)

Craig

GeorgeShaw

I'm told the area inland around the Col de Rates is good cycling country. I hope so as my sister-in-law lives in Javea and I'm hoping to try it out in the Spring.

Fat Head

hola amigos

inland from benidorm you have the sierra aitana including the col de rates and port du tudons climbs. all the roads up there are great for cycling - look out for routes taking in the towns of tarbena, guadalest, castel de castells, rellieu, callosa, etc. further inland nice roads around ibi and tibi. you could spend a week or more here cycling no problem. great tarmac.

avoid the n332 main road up and down the coast, stay inland.

the sierra espuna is a hike for you. if you want to go down a nice route is to start in pliego, head round the espuna peaks and up the la santa climb, which bisects the espuna regional park (the climb the last poster refers to) through alhama murcia and back to pliego via a stunning wee road.

if you need any bike stuff when you are there there is a big decathlon superstore near the motorway through alicante, cant remember the junction number though

enjoy

jvanv

I'm currently in Alicante as well for the summer. I can't understand why anyone would ride along the coast will all the cars when the mountains are so sweet. I second Fat Head's route... it is similar to mine that I try to do about 3-4x week:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10632345
Little market in Relieu to fill your bottles if you get there before 2pm siesta.

Once you get to Busot, you won't see many cars for the next few hours... good climbing (~7500 ft).. great ride.
Enjoy

bigjim

The coastal route is a busy road but there are somme great views heading north. In the winter months you see a lot of cycling teams using it and there are a few climbs on it as well.

roadiesean

Just back from Spain, my God its hot out there !!! Beautiful riding though, the roads are brilliant, even the coast road was well tarmacked and lovely. All good. August too hot though, better for pre-season or winter, I reckon !!! And I'm an Aussie, so I'm used to hot !