CALPE
The winter cycling rendez-vous of Europe
Spanish east coast
Cycling around Calpe, Spain is a fantastic experience.
From stunning coastal roads to remote mountain loops inland.
A pleasant climate during winter makes it ideal for cycling training camps.
It is an allyear round destination, but no doubt traveling in December and January offers a special touch for cyclists as you will share the road with many professional men & women pro teams.
Where to start ?
Book a flight to Alicante or Valencia, rent a car and move in an appartment or holiday house in the area of your choice and off you go.
If you are looking for something more organised, there are several options such as an professional cycling experience from Apex Cycling Training Camp are worth considering.
Founded by friends from Le Coffee Ride, they offers the perfect support for cyclist with a luxurious and quality stay in their Spanish Villa.
They offer personnal support from airport transfer, food and group rides.
Where to stay ?
Calpe, Denia and Altea are the well known base camps for the professionals but they are also well urbanized.
Many hotels are specialized in welcoming cyclists, but it is worth going a bit further for more authenticity and nature if that is what you like.
On the coast, places like Xabia and Moraira, are fishers cities, which might be busy in the summer but have authentic and local vibes during the winter season. While going more inland, villages such as Benissa or Teulada are green and luxuriant areas
Routes ?
Building your route with the Komoot app is quite easy once you know the few main good area’s.
The region is hilly and you might want to try the famous passes such as Coll de Rates (926m), Puerto de Tudons (over 1000m), or Vall D’Ebo (540m) to name a few.
Coffee
Many nice coffee places are to be found on the road, such as the cycling café Musette, in Alcalali, where you’ll meet exclusively cyclists going up and down the Coll de Rates.
On the coast of Javéa you can enjoy good coffee at Nostro , there is an amazing Ibiza style café with specialty coffee in front of the sea at Alamar Javéa where as in Calpe café seamos is a great meeting point for pre and post ride coffee break.
The bike shop 53.eleven is a great cycling shop with coffee for pre ride gathering on the coastal road between Calpe and Moraira.
Vélosol is a well known Belgian / Flemish cycling hub in Jalon.
These are just a few good ones there ar more to be found here and there.