One of the principal reasons we chose to base our cycle retreat in the mountains of southern Valencia and northern Alicante, is because it offers unparalleled access to more of the best routes, climbs, national parks, gravel and MTB riding than anywhere else in the region. Believe us, we looked very hard at properties all across the region and had options to move to the Xalon valley, Xabia, Pego, Denia, Albir and Calpe.
Let's have a tongue in cheek look a what we mean by more routes and why cycling inland is better
20km around Xabia
As cyclists, it's rare that we cycle on straight roads and rarer still to want to ride them if there's a beautiful scenic alternative (Time Trialist's heading to races on flat and fast British A-roads notwithstanding. ) Riding within a 20km radius from Xabia, as the seagull flies, barely scratches the surface of the best routes and climbs in the region. The reality is that it will often take more than 20km just to get to the good stuff and many loops of 40-80km don't venture actually venture beyong that. Want to ride the Vall d'Ebo from Xabia? That'll be nearly 35km of largely medicore riding on busier roads just to get to Pego. Guess what you're doing at the end of the ride too? Rinse and repeat this for a week if you stay on the coast. The rides to other good routes, nearly all of which start west of the AP7 motorway, will require you to head out via Benissa or Ondara for example.
* Other similarly oft repeated routes are available
Of course, the riding if starting from the coast is much better than the average UK route, but it's no secret that nearly all of the guided group rides from Denia, Calp and Xabia head to the mountains. The most popular routes, closest to the coast include Coll de Rate, Port de Tudons and Port Bernia. Other minor climbs such as Sa Creuta are popular too. There is however, a general rule: the further you head inland, the better and prettier it gets!
Top Secret Map to get to the good stuff
Avoid the N332
f staying on the coast, you may be tempted to make hastier beeline towards the mountains and head via N332. In a word, don't. Aside from being being an unattractive route, it can be extremely busy. The drivers are not so patient as they are inland and unfortunately, it has a history of accidents and fatalities.
Cycling around the Marina Alta headland
Of course, a coffee ride along the coast in and around Denia, Calpe and Xabia can be fun. Granadella beach for example is very pretty and there are some great places for coffee and cake dotted along the coast line.
Close to Calpe, lies the Cumbres de Sol housing estate. It also happens to be a cycling climb. There's no other nice riding of note nearby and its fans are prone to over embellishing its epic virtue. Let's be clear about this.
1) It's a housing estate
2) It's full of parked cars or cars parking
3) The views are sh*t until you get to the top
4) The descent is downright dodgy
5) If you want Epic - try Xorret Cati, Mirador del Xap, Coll de Safor, Ermita Sant Esteve, Alt del Campello
6) Did we mention it's a housing estate?
How to maximise pedal opportunities near the coast
To pedal on an almost infinite number of traffic free routes with no cars there really is only one way to travel if you're staying on the coast.
The pedaling here is flat, if you stay within the horizon with great visibility and easy navigation. You won't need a range gears either, a single speed will get you where need to go to, eventually; but rarely in a straight line.
Other coastal attractions
Of course there are other attractions to be found on the coast and in the Benidorm area
As well as the many culinary delights on offer
20km around Ontinyent
From Ontinyent, you have the option of the following road climbs that start here.
Port Portixol 7km
Port Bocairent 6km
Port Fontanars 12km (CV660)
Port Fontanars 12km (CV655)
Alt del Figeroles 5km
Puerto Paller - 7km
Ermita Sant Esteve -4.5km
Puerto Albaida
Within that 20km radius there many more climbs, including Port Bosqet Alt del Campello Port del Moro
Portet d'Agres
Port Alt del Portell
Puerto Beniarres
Puerto Beniganim
Port Serra Grossa
Xativa Castle
Port L'Olleria
Serra Mariola
Las Canteras
Font Roja
Mas de LLopis
Port Ibi
Alto de Preventori
Revolcat
Puerto Canalis
Cumbres de Valencia
Puerto del Peregri
La Bastida
Portet Beniatjar
And we like to take photo's when we ride these fantastic routes too ....
Extend the radius further and you soon start to realise, simply how much more there is to ride.. 50km to the east does however, get you closer to Ibiza in that pedalo.