the ROUTES
The Tour will run from Saturday to Saturday. The first day is a rest day with the option for a ride, subsequent days we will leave after breakfast.
Day 1: Rest day with option for a short ride if desired
Day 2: Velez Rubio to Maria
Day 3: Velez Rubio to the Monastery El Saliente
Day 4: Drive to the Alto Velefique (famous La Vuelta climb)
Day 5: Velez Rubio to Lorca Castle
Day 6: Drive to Coastal Ride
Day 7: Velez Rubio to La Cañada
Day 8: Drive to La Sierra Espuña
DAY 1 | Rest day.
DAY 2 | Vélez Rubio to Maria
Description:
The ride starts from the farmhouse and makes its way upward towards the white washed village of Velez Blanco. We have a constant view of the castle built in 1506. Once in Velez Blanco we stop briefly to refresh at the Fuente Caños de Caravaca.
From here we continue to head upwards toward the town of Maria riding through La Sierra Maria National Park. Just past Maria we have a beautiful view of La Sierra Maria while riding towards the Ermita de la Virgen de la Cabeza chapel. Now we get to enjoy the climbing we’ve done as we make our way back down to Velez Blanco, this time with a stop at the castle. After our stop we continue to head downwards towards Velez Rubio where we stop for a well earned coffee before riding back to base.
DAY 3 | Velez Rubio to Monasterio El Saliente
Description:
Day two provides us with a challenging start as we make our way from the cortijo and head up towards Los Alamicos. The climbing pays off as we create a fantastic view of Velez Rubio and the valley below. Riding over the rolling countryside through mainly almond farms we have an amazing view south towards the coast. Our first stop of the day comes when we arrive at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Saliente. A church and former monastery built in 1769 is now partially a small hotel and restaurant where we refresh with drinks and local tapas.
The second half of our ride will take us through the village of Chirivel as we make our way back toward Velez Rubio.
DAY 4 | Alto de Velefique - The bucket list ride!
Description:
The famous Alto de Velafique, also known as Almeria d'Huez due to its resemblance to Alpe d'Huez in the French Pyrenees often featured in the Tour de France. The Alto de Velefique has featured numerous times in La Vuelta de España (Tour of Spain) as a summit finish, the latest being stage 11 in 2017.
This route is all about two things 1) climbing up Alto de Velefique to 1820m (5971ft) and 2) descending back down.
We set off from the village of Castro de Filabres for a warm up before starting our assent up the Velefique. The climbing imiediatly pays off as the view South towards the Meditranian Sea is spectacular and with 29 switch backs there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the views.
Once at the top after photos and rest the group can decide whether to continue on towards theCalar Alto Observatorywhich adds around an additional 25 miles and 500m (1640ft). Otherwise we head down the climb to stop for refreshments in the village of Velefique before finishing our ride in Castro de Filabres.
DAY 5 | Velez Rubio to Lorca castle
description:
From Boncastillo we head out on the local country roads and soon find ourselves crossing the border into the Region of Murcia but not before riding past the ruins of the Castillo de Xiquena built in the 14th century (Castle of Xiquena).
Over the rolling hills heading ever downward toward the city of Lorca we are soon rewarded with a sharp steep but short climb to Lorca Castle. A well earned stop here at the Parador for coffee and treats before heading back home.
DAY 6 | Coastal Ride
description:
A short one hour drive and we arrive at the Mediterranean Sea for the start of our riding day. Today’s ride will be relatively easy with only a few rolling roads as we make our way along the beautiful coast road. After enjoying the views and returning to the ride start we have the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean in what our family call ‘The Cove’. This is a place we’ve been coming to swim for over 14 years, a near private beach that only locals are aware of. After relaxing on the beach we drive down to the town of San Juan de Torreos for lunch in one of the many excellent chiringuitos (beach restaurant).
DAY 7 | Velez Rubio to La Cañada
description:
Today’s local ride takes us once again from Boncastillo up to Velez Blanco and Maria to the National Park where we stop for coffee, refreshments and fuel.
We then ride through beautiful pine forests towards the town of La Cañada in the high plains of the National Park.
DAY 8 | Sierra Espuña
description:
La Sierra Espuña has become one of my personal favorites and a very popular local ride. We start in the town of Totana with one of the flattest starts of the week and after a warm up we make our way into the National Park of La Sierra Espuña. Climbing through pine forests we have fantastic views to the south. Once into the center of the park we stop for refreshments and fuel before heading east, then south descending through the park and the forest. We ride through a few small villages before making our way back towards Totana to finish what will be a fantastic day of riding.