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Mountain biking Costa Blanca 7 - 13 September 2024
This is a tailor made programme for Karl, Peter, Roger, Joseph, Simon and Ian. In the second week of September we will take you on four MTB rides in the Benissa area. This programme is not carved in stone and may develop over the week taking into account both your wishes and experience as well as possible weather or other natural circumstances that may impact the rides. The main purpose of the programme is to give you a taste of what to expect and hopefully get you in the mood for some good riding on the Spanish Costa Blanca.
This is a tailor made programme for Karl, Peter, Roger, Joseph, Simon and Ian. In the second week of September we will take you on four MTB rides in the Benissa area. This programme is not carved in stone and may develop over the week taking into account both your wishes and experience as well as possible weather or other natural circumstances that may impact the rides. The main purpose of the programme is to give you a taste of what to expect and hopefully get you in the mood for some good riding on the Spanish Costa Blanca.
This is what we have in mind
Day 0 - Altea
On this day, where it will only be Peter and Karl, we´ll take you on a short drive from Benissa to Altea, from where we ride. After a short warm-up, riding along the sea front, we follow a dry riverbed towards Polop. To get there, we will have to pass La Nucía, aka the outskirts of Benidorm, but we´ll try to limit the encounter with that side of the Costa Blanca as much as possible and before we know it we are back descending towards Altea following a narrow barranco (gorge / dry riverbed).
We estimate this ride will be around 47 K with some 750 meters of climbing.
On this day, where it will only be Peter and Karl, we´ll take you on a short drive from Benissa to Altea, from where we ride. After a short warm-up, riding along the sea front, we follow a dry riverbed towards Polop. To get there, we will have to pass La Nucía, aka the outskirts of Benidorm, but we´ll try to limit the encounter with that side of the Costa Blanca as much as possible and before we know it we are back descending towards Altea following a narrow barranco (gorge / dry riverbed).
We estimate this ride will be around 47 K with some 750 meters of climbing.
Altea - Cap Negret
Day 1 - Calpe
This day is all about shredding. It includes a selection of favourite local trails around Benissa. It will be a continuous series of climbs followed by descents.
Benissa -> Calpe
Once we arrive down in Calpe we´ll climb the Sierra Olta where some more, nice descents await us. After we´ve done those we´ll have to work our way back up to Benissa. The ride - with around 40 K and 900 meters of climbing - will be quite demanding as a result of the interval between climbing and descending. But all the more rewarding!
Calpe -> Benissa
Day 2 - Jalón valley
This will be the first day where the group will be complete. We will meet at or near the AirBnB in Benissa from where we´ll ride. Our playground for today is the Jalón valley (officially named Vall de Pop) where we encounter a variety of sorts of terrain, which will help us get acquainted with off road riding in this part of Spain. In addition to nice climbs and descents we´ll also get to see a little bit of the Spanish pueblos, which makes riding here so picturesque.
When we finish the day we should have covered around 45 K with some 900 meters of climbing.
This will be the first day where the group will be complete. We will meet at or near the AirBnB in Benissa from where we´ll ride. Our playground for today is the Jalón valley (officially named Vall de Pop) where we encounter a variety of sorts of terrain, which will help us get acquainted with off road riding in this part of Spain. In addition to nice climbs and descents we´ll also get to see a little bit of the Spanish pueblos, which makes riding here so picturesque.
When we finish the day we should have covered around 45 K with some 900 meters of climbing.
Coll de Rates
Day 3: Sierra de Bernia
This will be the queen stage. Straight out of Benissa we climb the Solana to about 650 metres overlooking the whole bay of Benissa and Calpe. After a nice, flowy descent on the back of the hill we continue our climbing to the Sierra de Bernia. Once we arrive there, we descend on a gravel road with the Mediterranean as a backdrop. The gravel road leads to a pretty rocky single track taking us further down, back to the bottom of the Solana.
This will be the queen stage. Straight out of Benissa we climb the Solana to about 650 metres overlooking the whole bay of Benissa and Calpe. After a nice, flowy descent on the back of the hill we continue our climbing to the Sierra de Bernia. Once we arrive there, we descend on a gravel road with the Mediterranean as a backdrop. The gravel road leads to a pretty rocky single track taking us further down, back to the bottom of the Solana.
La Solana - viewing platform
With "only" 36 K and 900 meters (approx.) of climbing this ride is not much different from the previous days but the combination of steep, rocky climbs and technical descents makes this a pretty demanding ride.
Sierra de Bernia
Day 4: Jávea
What better way to finish this week of mountain biking in Spain than on the beach. But like any other day we will need to work for that rewarding sound of waves crushing onto the coast. Leaving Benissa we will descend quite a bit but when we arrive in Jávea we encounter a hard road climb followed by a rocky descent with a stunning view of the sea. Once we make our way down there will be a nice cold drink waiting in one of the chiringuitos where we can look back on the week. The ride will be around 47 K and 750 meters of climbing.
What better way to finish this week of mountain biking in Spain than on the beach. But like any other day we will need to work for that rewarding sound of waves crushing onto the coast. Leaving Benissa we will descend quite a bit but when we arrive in Jávea we encounter a hard road climb followed by a rocky descent with a stunning view of the sea. Once we make our way down there will be a nice cold drink waiting in one of the chiringuitos where we can look back on the week. The ride will be around 47 K and 750 meters of climbing.
Jávea - Cabo Sant Antonio
Trail grade: challenging at times but nothing too crazy
A good fitness is essential as there will considerable climbing involved. As far as skills are concerned, the experienced XC or all mountain rider should be able to enjoy these rides. There will be technical descents, mainly due to the loose, rocky surface but don't expect black runs.
There will be no gap jumps or any other sections where our wheels need to temporarily leave the ground. However, Benissa trails are not known to be very forgiving. On some of the trails there are sharp, pointy rocks where you don´t want to crash your knee onto those. Others have loose, chunky gravel where you might struggle to find grip. Again, the experienced rider will be able to deal with these circumstances but you need to always be focused when riding. We also advise you to make sure you can always choose your own line - don´t stay too close to the rider in front of you and never ride "blind".
Wearing protection or not - other than a helmet - is a personal choice. Bringing knee (and maybe elbow) pads could be advised. A back protector is also a personal choice.
There will be no gap jumps or any other sections where our wheels need to temporarily leave the ground. However, Benissa trails are not known to be very forgiving. On some of the trails there are sharp, pointy rocks where you don´t want to crash your knee onto those. Others have loose, chunky gravel where you might struggle to find grip. Again, the experienced rider will be able to deal with these circumstances but you need to always be focused when riding. We also advise you to make sure you can always choose your own line - don´t stay too close to the rider in front of you and never ride "blind".
Wearing protection or not - other than a helmet - is a personal choice. Bringing knee (and maybe elbow) pads could be advised. A back protector is also a personal choice.
Some practical remarks
- Your bikes will be transported to Benissa. Please send us the address of your accommodation, so we can work out a meeting point.
- We assume you will bring your own helmets and pedals. If not, please let us know in advance.
- Around September 1st we´ll send the weather forecast, but for now it is safe to say it will be warm. It is recommended to bring a back pack / hydration rucksack. On hot days I always use half / one hydration tablet. Sun protection is strongly recommended. Late August / early September it is not uncommon to have some strong rains. Usually these last only short but nevertheless, bringing a rain jacket might be advised.
- We will discuss the time of departure later but this will probably be earlier than last year (i.e. around 08:30 AM).
- My telephone number, should you wish to have it and / or share it with next of kin, is +34 654852209.
- If there is anything I need to know in advance - especially medical conditions - that have to be taken into account, let me know. Also, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Looking forward to be riding with you all soon,
¡Hasta pronto!,
Mike
Snakebite MTB
¡Hasta pronto!,
Mike
Snakebite MTB