On Your Bike

The River Júcar, or Xúquer in Valencian, runs for approximately 500 km from its source at Ojuelos de Valdeminguete, on the eastern flank of the Montes Universales, Cuenca, close the sources of the rivers Tajo, Cuervo, Turia and Cabriel (the latter serving as its most important tributary) to the Mediterranean Sea.

Located in the northernmost extreme of the province of Alicante and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Vall de Ebo (Vall d'Ebo in Valencian) is one of the Region's most popular climbs among amateur and professional cyclists alike. Indeed, due to its proximity to coastal resorts such as Denia, Calpe and Altea, so popular in the off-season among the world's leading pro cycling teams, it's not uncommon to come across many of the international peloton's most famous faces both climbing and descending its slopes, team cars dutifully bringing up the rear. And it's not hard to understand the climb's attraction for cyclists of all levels: with its 7.5 km length, multitude of hairpins and gradients between 5% and 13%, on a ranking of 1 to 10 it can comfortably be classified as a doozy.

Amid the numerous topics and issues dealt with on a regular basis in the specialist cycling media - bicycle paths, carbon components, electronic shifting, urban transport, disc brakes, health and fitness benefits, women's racing, bike-sharing, gravel riding, smart trainers, folding bikes, etc., etc., etc. -, there's a curiously ambigious place reserved for the "e-bike", seemingly situated at an equidistant point between unbridled praise, general indifference and outright rejection.

El Puerto de Barx is a popular climb among Valencian cyclists, due to its proximity both to the La Safor coast and to the mountains of the Sierra Grossa range. At around 5 kilometres in length, it's not a long climb, and it's not too hard, either, enabling cyclists to take in the magnificent views towards the coast as they tackle its numerous hairpins.

A relatively unknown climb outside the circle of local cyclists, Coll de Fredes' 16 kilometres of forest and hairpins take us deep into one of the Valencian Community's most beautiful areas and provide spectacular views of a unique landscape. Of middling difficulty, it is perhaps more of a challenge due to its length and the heat in summer months than the gradient of the climb itself.

Alicante-based Belgian Seb Nolens, or #TCRNo6cap54 as he's known to his nearest and dearest, will join @300 other participants to take on the challenge of the Transcontinental Race Nº6 at the end of July: @4000 km of distance and @40,000 metres of vertical climbing between Belgium and Greece, a full-on, two-week grinder up mountain passes, through distant valleys, often in sweltering heat and along gravel roads and asphalt. Lots and lots of asphalt. We talk to him to find out what lies behind his decision to put himself through such an extreme test.

September 15th sees the 4th edition of the "Dones Bicibles" Gran Fondo, organized by and for female cyclists with the support of the Valencia Region Cycling Federation and the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation.

The route, which starts and finishes in the town of Bocairent and covers some 100 kilometres through the south of the province of Valencia and the north of the province of Alicante, will see the participants face around 1700 metres of vertical climbing.

Registration, which is limited to 200 cyclists, is open until September 9th Cycling Club.

Further information available via the Dones Bicibles website and Facebook page:

Dones Bicibles website
Dones Bicibles Facebook page
Dones Bicibles Twitter

Bocairent Tourist Info
Valencia Region Cycling Federation
Royal Spanish Cycling Federation
 
Dones Bicibles is a cycling club sponsored by the Valencia Regional Cycling Federation and dedicated to the promotion of cycling for women.

Road sign indicating minimum legal overtaking distance on Gandia - Simat Protected Cycling Route

In July 2017, the Director General of Traffic, Gregorio Serrano, presented Spain’s new Protected Cycling Routes network, one of the measures included in the Directorate General of Traffic's (DGT) Action Plan aimed at increasing the protection of cyclists on Spanish roads following the upturn in fatalities registered in 2016.

The Protected Cycling Routes have been selected in collaboration with public authorities, institutions and cycling associations, including the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation and the Spanish Professional Cyclists Association. According to Serrano, “the aim of this measure is to protect the thousands of cyclists who take to the roads mainly at the weekends to practice cycling, thus providing them with specially-controlled routes”.

The Road Engineering Research Group (GIIC) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, (UPV) is currently developing the research projects "Bike2Lane - Improvement of the safety and operation of conventional roads with cyclists", subsidized by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (TRA 2016 -8089-R), and "Safe4Bikes - Measures to improve road safety on conventional roads with bicycles riding in groups", subsidized by the Directorate General of Traffic (SPIP2017-02280).

The purpose of both projects is to analyze the effects caused by the presence of cyclists on conventional roads (both individually and in groups) in terms of traffic and, above all, road safety.

In order to carry out both projects, it is essential that the researchers involved are aware of the perception both of drivers and of cyclists about the roads they mutually share.

Therefore, the GIIC would like to invite those interested in assisting the two projects to complete a survey (one for drivers and one for cyclists). Both surveys are anonymous, and the information provided will be used solely and exclusively for the purposes of the reserach projects in question.

More information about the projects and links to the surveys here (in Spanish):

Polytechnic University of Valencia Road Engineering Research Group Surveys

The Vall d'Albaida Cycling Tourism Route, "Roda la Vall", is a recent initiative from La Mancomunidad de la Vall d'Albaida which, after consultation with those involved in the local tourism sector, took the admirable decision to employ bicycle touring and cycling as a means to promote this relatively unknown area of Valencia.

The III Volta Ciclista València Féminas - Trofeu Diputació de València will be held from June 1st to 3rd

The 3rd edition of the Volta Ciclista València Féminas - Trofeu Diputació de València for female junior, elite and under23 categories will be held between June 1st and 3rd in Valencia. Coordinated by the Valencia Cycling Federation (FCCV), with the support of the Valencia Provincial Council and the town councils and cycling clubs of the towns of Valencia, Riba-roja de Túria, Lliria and Moncada, the race will once again include the participation of the very best of Spain’s current crop of cyclists.

"Without the support of the public institutions and clubs it would be impossible to stage events of this type which, among other things, seek to promote tourism and raise awareness of our province, as well as to creation opportunities for women's sport", said the Chair of the Valencia Cycling Federation, Amadeo Olmos.

Stages

The race will start on Friday, June 1st, from Valencia’s Plaza del Ayuntamiento. From the heart of the capital, the riders will take on the 79.1 km 1st stage, which finishes in the town of Riba-roja de Túria.

The second stage will be held on Saturday June 2 in Lliria. Starting in the town’s Plaza Mayor, the riders will complete three laps of a winding circuit to cover a total of 80.5 km.

The third and final stage of the 3rd Volta Ciclista Valencia Féminas will take place on Sunday, June 3, in Moncada. The town will host an 81.5 km stage consisting of six laps of a semi-urban 13.5 km circuit, with start and finish in Calle del Negre.

Participating teams

Several teams have already confirmed their presence in the race, including Hyundai Koryo Car, Retelec Athenea Team, Frigoríficos Costa Brava, Farto CC, Glas-Smurfit Kappa and Dr Ride-Vektor.

The III Volta Ciclista València Féminas - Trofeu Diputació de València foresees a great participation since “there are no other events on the domestic calendar during the same period and all Spanish teams will be free to participate, as well as two representatives of the International Cycling Union (UCI))”, explained Olmos.
"The race was created in 2016 with humble pretensions, just as the Mens Volta a València was created in 2011. The first edition consisted of only two stages, to which we have now added an extra day of competition. La Volta a València de Féminas represents an important means of demonstrating that women also deserve a stage race at the highest level with the participation both of domestic international teams”, concluded FCCV president Amadeo Olmos.


Further information:




Valencia Cycling Federation Website

Work is to begin shortly on the first section of Valencia’s Metropolitan Green Ring Road, between the towns of Moncada and Meliana to the north of the city of Valencia, at a cost of around one million euros.

Once completed, the Valencia Metropolitan Green Ring Road will form a circular cycling and pedestrian route of more than 52 kilometre running through the outskirts of the Mediterranean city. In order to facilitate its development and construction, the Green Ring Road has been divided into 9 sections that will be undertaken in progressive stages.

The project forms part of the 2014-2020 ERDF Program, which includes a budgetary item of 34.8 million euros dedicated to the cycle paths and bike lanes to be developed by the Valencia Regional Government. A significant amount of this sum, 50% of which is to be covered by European Union funds, will be allocated to the development of the Valencia Metropolitan Green Ring Road.

Carlos Domingo, the Valencia's Director General of Public Works, Transport and Mobility, recently announced that the contract for the construction of the first section ('Section 6, Moncada-Meliana’) has been awarded for the sum of 908,151.16 euros, and that the works will begin in the coming days.


Measuring a total of 6.5 kilometres, section 6 will follow the “Barranco del Palmaret” and “Carraixet” service roads and cross through the municipalities of Moncada, Alfara del Patriarca, Vinalesa, Carpesa (Valencia), Bonrepòs i Mirambell, Cases de Bàrcena (Valencia) and Meliana, terminating at the CV-300 regional road, which lies at the western end of the municipality of Meliana.

From this point, the route will be extended in the future via section 7 to the village of Port Saplaya on the coast.

The entire route of Valencia's Metropolitan Green Ring Road will be marked with its own, distinctive signage, with Mr Domingo adding that, "information and informative posters relative to the environmental and cultural characteristics of the area and its surroundings will be included in the project."

Likewise, the metallic barriers currently installed on the “Palmaret” and “Carraixet” service roads will be replaced by safety elements which will both blend with the surroundings and provide the levels of safety appropriate for cyclists.

This section of the Valencia Metropolitan Green Ring Road will also include rest areas every 1.5km-1.8km, which will be equipped with informative signs about the areas of interest close to the route. The areas adjacent to the main route will be regenerated, and cleaning and revegetation will be carried out in several zones.

The Director General has emphasized that the road surfaces to be used have been chosen “taking into account the concept of sustainability: the current surfaces are to be recycled and stabilized with cement, reducing the generation of dust and combining durability with lower maintenance requirements.”

Future connection with Ojos Negros Greenway 

A proposal has been made to connect the future Valencia Metropolitan Green Ring Road with the Ojos Negros Greenway, which runs between the village of Ojos Negros en Teruel and the town of Sagunto en Valencia.

The plan, which would see the two routes connected at Las Molas in the municipality of Paterna, is backed by the association Per l'Horta, the Paterna Neighbours Associations Federation, Valencia en Bici-Acció Ecologista Agró and La Mola Verda Platform.

With plans already underway to connect the Ojos Verdes and the Via Xurra (Valencia - Puçol) Greenways, connection with the future Valencia Metropolitan Green Ring Road at Las Molas would extend the route to the areas lying to the south of Valencia via the El Saler coastal bike path and the network of rural tracks that exists in the comarques of l'Horta Sur, la Ribera and la Safor. The resultant greenway would be the longest in Spain.

Further information:

Ojos Negros Greenway
Xurra Greenway
Per l'Horta
Valencia en Bici 
Acció Ecologista Agró

15th edition of the Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" to be held between May 16 and 20, 2018 in the city of Valencia

The Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City", the oldest bicycle-related congress of its kind to be organised in Spain, is a joint initiative between "ConBici" and the Portuguese "Federação de Cicloturismo e Utilizadores de Bicicleta". The first edition of the congress was staged in 1996, while the latest was held in the Spanish city of Zaragoza.

The 15th edition of the Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" is being organized by the collectives València en Bici-Acció Ecologista Agró and Bici es Vida and will be held between May 16 and 20, 2018 in the city of Valencia.

Events

Its aim is to present the most significant developments and experiences related to the bicycle as a method of transport in Spain and Portugal, and is to include a series of events centred on the design of bike lanes, school paths, cycle routes, regulations, inter-modality, public bikes and new types of urban bikes, among others.

In the words of the Congress' website:

"The creation of a friendly, quieter city, with more green spaces and social usage and with fewer cars, requires the involvement of the city’s residents in the transformation of the urban environment. In this sense, the 15th edition of the Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" aims to become a key element of this collective reflection. That is why the axes on which the congress is based are designed in a way to facilitate a holistic approach the urban complexity in which we find ourselves on a daily basis and into which the bicycle has been inserted. We believe that understanding the dynamic relationship between citizenship, urban planning and different modes of transport is the best way to achieve this goal, hence the Congress’ talks, speeches and workshops seek to strengthen the city’s citizen/organizational/professional/political network."

Parallel activities

The 15th Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" will include the celebration of the 3rd Female Cyclists Meeting and the 2nd Bicifest Valencia Festival.

Further information

For further information about the Congress, its events and activities, consult the València Ciutat Amable website: Iberian Congress "The Bicycle and the City" website

 

Legal and Safety 

As is the case in many countries, there are often quite a lot of grey areas in our knowledge about what is and what is not legally-permissible when cycling on public roads in Spain, which can lead to a degree of uncertainty about what we can and cannot do when we are out riding our bikes. 

In our "Legal and Safety" articles, we'd like to help shed some light on what, to the best of our knowledge, are our legal rights and obligations when out and about on our bikes in Spain. 

We hope our artciles will be of use to you. However, we are not lawyers, nor do we offer professional legal advice, so please don't take our word for it and, as always, we recommend you consult a responsible adult before taking any action in relation to doing anything whatsoever. Just in case. 

So, having said that..... 

What is the maximum speed limit for bicycles on Spanish roads?

This question was brought to light recently in the wake of an incident that occurred near the Valencian village Barx, which sits on a plain at the top of a long, fast descent down towards the coastal city of Gandia. It's a beautiful mountain road, by the way, and well worth a visit. Barx can be reached either by climbing from Gandia in the east, or from the village of Simat de la Valldigna in the north.

On April 14, a cyclist was fined 100 euros by members of a Civil Guard traffic patrol after being caught by radar travelling downhill at 77 km/h on a stretch with a 60 km/h limit, and the response - suprisingly outraged in nature from some quarters - was not long in coming. Amid the toing, froing, cursing and headscratching from members of the cycling community about the "fairness" of the penalty, the question about just how fast cyclists are allowed to travel on Spanish roads remained.

It's a pertinent question and one to which the answer, as is so often the case in these matters, is "it depends......".

Let's take it by parts.

Firstly, we have the maximum speed limits for bicycles on the road as applicable within cities, villages and other built-up areas. Given Spain's highly decentralized political system, the country has a multi-tiered approach to the creation of regulations and legislation, and in such cases the speed limits will be established by the local/municipal authority and indicated by means of traffic signs for each specific urban area.

As every municipality has the capacity to establish its own limits, we can only recommend observing the speeds indicated on the applicable street signs. These are usually going to be around the 30 km/h limit in built-up/residential area although, we repeat, we would do well to pay attention to individual, specific indications.

Secondly, there is the question of the maximum speed limit for bicycles on interurban roads, that is, roads outside and between built-up areas.

According to a recent tweet by the Dirección General de Tráfico (Spanish  Traffic Authority), it would appear that the official maximum speed limit for bicycles on Spanish roads is 45 km/h:

@DGTes "Generic speed limits in Spain"

We can see the speed limit as applicable to bicycles in the right-hand column of following chart:

45 km/h, for all roads - that would seem to make things quite clear, although again, we would be wise to bear in mind the existence of specific municipal regulations.

Furthermore, this seems to be borne out by Article 48 of the Spanish General Traffic Regulation (Regulación General de Circulación), which states:

Article 48.- Maximum speeds on interurban roads.

1. The maximum speeds which must not be exceeded, except in those cases detailed in Article 51, are as follows:
e) For bicycles, two- and three-wheel mopeds and light quadracycles: 45 kilometres per hour.

However, Article 48 1 e) immediately proceeds to mention an exception to this limit:

Nevertheless, cyclists may exceed the mentioned maximum limit on such stretches where the traffic/road circumstances allow for higher speeds.

This would seem to be a definition open to varying interpretations, and hence a possible cause of conflict. It would, in principle, seem to be the interpretation applied by the Civil Guard to our budding Nibali on the descent from Barx, as the fine was issued for travelling at 77 km/h on a stretch of road with a 60 km/h limit, and not for having exceeded the 45 km/h maximum limit established for bicycles in the General Traffic Regulation.

Exactly when and where the "traffic/road circumstances allow for higher speeds", however, is not clear.

Is this an important issue while cycling in Spain?

In general, it probably isn't: the case in question made the news to a large degree precisely because of its unusual nature, and cyclists being fined for speeding is certainly not the order of the day.

However, it would be wise to bear in mind that such speed limits do exist when cycling on Spanish roads.

The damage that one can do to oneself when emulating Lo Squalo di Messina is, in principle, a matter for personal concern, but things can, and often do, become more complicated when other road users and third parties are involved and not speaking Spanish, chasing a Strava segment or being on our holidays are not, to the best of our knowledge, considered extenuating circumstances under Spanish legislation.

Be safe.

One year after its inauguration in March 2017, Valencia’s Cycle Ring Road (Anell ciclista) has registered a 20% increase in users. 

Valencia’s Transit Management Centre (Center de Gestió de Trànsit de València) recently published data reflecting the average daily usage of the municipal cycling network, which has registered an overall monthly increase in users of 2.3 percent. The most noteworthy figures reflect the 20.6% increase in use of the city’s Cycle Ring Road, in conjunction with a drop in the volume of motorized traffic over the same period.

Characterized by its uniform width of 2.5 metres and its location on the city’s roads, rather than its pavements, this key element of the city’s transport infrastructure runs in a circular route through the central points of Calle Xátiva, Plaza San Augstín, Guillem de Castro,the right bank of the Turia Gardens, Plaza de Tetuán, Puerta del Mar and Calle Colón.


The overall number of users using the Cycle Ring Road has increased by almost 4000 per day over the last year, with points such as Calle Xàtiva having registered up to 3,105 cyclists per day.

It is notable that the number of cyclists using the bridges which cross the Turia Gardens, and which serve as the main points of access to the Cycle Ring Road, fell by 1.9%, whilst bicycle traffic in the rest of the city rose by 4%.

With a 22.8% increase, Calle Cuenca in the east of the city registered the highest growth in usage of all the points that lie outside the Cycle Ring Road.

Alicante - BRM Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux 600 km

HOMOLOGATION SP682

May 12 at 5 a.m. to May 13 at 11 p.m.

Alicante's Club Ciclista Alibike has organized the next event in its series of Brevets for May 12 - 13.

Why is it spread over two days, you ask?

Because the route will see the riders take in the considerable distance of 600 km, for which the maximum time allowed under Audax Club Parisien Brevet de Randonneur Mondiaux regulations is 40 hours.

Description of the Route

So, 600 kms and two consecutive days on the bike await the participants.

The first 50 km are the same as those used in the club's previous 200 km Brevet, before the route zig-zags off towards the north side of Tudons, climbs up to Confrides and through Vall de Guadalest before turning east again and heading towards one of Alicante’s most classic climbs: Coll de Rates. 

With the sea by their side, the riders will continue through La Marina Alta as they head towards Cap Sant Antoni and El Montgó.  From Denia, the route climbs up through the beautiful Vall de Gallinera, continuing on to Alcoy and Sierra Mariola. From there, it follows the River Vinalopó and heads across the inland highlands towards Orihuela and the River Segura, crossing the Vega Baja and Camp de Elx region, bordering El Fondó, the salt marshes of Santa Pola, Clot de Galvany and Agua Amarga, where the riders will be greeted by the welcome sight of El Benacantil and Alicante rising on the horizon.

All in all, the route passes through the following locations:

Playa de San Juan (Avenida Locutor Vicente Hipólito, 37, Alicante) - San Vicente del Raspeig - Agost - Tibi - Ibi - Benifallim - Penáguila - Alcolecha - Sella - Finestrat - La Nucía - Benimantell - Confrides - Benasau - Gorga - Quatretondeta - Facheca - Famorca - Castell de Castells - Benichembla - Parcent - Tárbena - Bolulla - Altea la Vella - Calpe - Teulada - Benitachell - Xabia - Denia - El Verger - Pego - Adsubia - Planes - Benimarfull - L'Alqueria d'Asnar - Cocentaina - Alcoy - Urb. Pinatell - Banyeres - Biar - Villena - Salinas - Pinoso - La Algueña - El Cantón - Macisvenda - Abanilla - La Murada - Benferri - Orihuela - Hurchillo - Torremendo - Jacarilla - Benejuzar - Algorfa - Almoradí - Dolores - Catral - San Felipe Neri - Balsares - El Altet - Torrellano - Playa de San Juan

Checkpoints

The compulsory checkpoints which the riders must past through are located as follows:

Km 42 Tibi
Km 84 Alcolecha
Km 125 La Nucía
Km 167 Quatretondeta
Km 218 Bolulla
Km 271 Xàbia
Km 348 Cocentaina
Km 426 Salinas
Km 515 Torremendo
Km 551 San Felipe Neri
Km 605 Arrival at Playa de San Juan

Climbs

The most notable climbs on this 600 km Brevet are:

Km 25 Maigmó
Km 42 Climb from Tibi
Km 128 Climb to Benimantell
Km 141 Confrides from Confrides
Km 197 Coll de Rates
Km 249 Fustera
Km 270 Montgó
Km 322 Alto de Margarida
Km 355 Salt

Complete information about the Club Ciclista Alibike 600 km BRM Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux can be found at the Ciclismo en Alicante website and Ciclismo en Alicante Facebook page, and those who feel the itch to register can do so at the Club Ciclista Alibike BRM 600 km Registration Page

The Provincial Council of Valencia's northern province, Castellón, is promoting cycling tourism by means of 31 cycling routes covering 2,347 kilometres throughout the province

The Castellón Provincial Council, which is committed to cycling as a source of new opportunities for the development of the region’s towns and villages, has created 31 cycling routes covering some 2,347 kilometres spread throughout the entire province.

This project sees the Provincial Council add these specialized routes to the region’s existing tourism offer, which already includes the promotion of leisure and competitive cycling throughout Castellón under the umbrella of the Castellón Escenario Deportivo programme.

The Chair of the Provincial Council, Javier Moliner, recently presented the hard copies of the routes’ guidebooks in an event held before a group of cycling club members and touring cyclists. The content of the print versions of the guides is already available for downloading at www.turismodecastellon.com.

“We believe in Castellón’s potential, and we have already seen that sport represents health and positive values, as well as wealth, employment and opportunities for our people and our towns and villages. And it is this conviction that has led to this initiative to improve the promotion of the region’s cycling attractions and resources, both for Castellón’s own cyclists and for the thousands of tourists who never leave home without their bikes”, said Moliner.

Moliner went on to explain that "these are the most complete guides to cycle touring routes in our province published so far. They cover a total of 31 routes of all levels and include the region’s main locations of interest, because in addition to providing exercise, this sport enables visitors to enjoy Castellón’s landscapes, towns and gastronomy.”

Each guidebook includes a technical profile and an explanation of the municipalities the route passes through, as well as eating recommendations and the main tourist attractions to visit in the area.

Cycle tourism, strategic for the future of tourism in Castellón

The Castellón Provincial Council's promotion of cycling in the province is conceived from a cross-cutting perspective: by providing promotional and specialized material, by encouraging the adaptation of the province’s tourism offer to the needs of cycle tourists by means of lines of support, by participating in specialized trade fairs and by promoting the celebration of cycling events in the province’s towns and villages.

Cycle tourists figure as a priority target group within the Provincial Council Tourism Marketing Plan, as well as within the Castellón Province’s Strategic Tourism Plan for 2017-2020.

For further information about Castellón's cycle routes, as well as downloadable guides:

Have fun and discover Castellón on two wheels

Volta Ciclista a Castelló 2018 

The Castellón Provincial Council is lending its support to the Volta Ciclista a Castelló 2018 stage race, the thirty-sixth edition of which will take place in the province from June 7 to 10. This upcoming edition will once again see this emblematic cycling event take its place as one of the province’s main sport tourism references: the event is responsible for more than 1200 bed nights and generates a direct economic impact of more 150,000 euros in the province’s municipalities.

The Chair of the Castellón Provincial Council, Javier Moliner, has signed a collaboration agreement with the Chair of the SEPELACO Cycling Club and race director, José Cabedo. The agreement includes a contribution of 40,000 euros from the Provincial Council to the race.

“The event’s history clearly demonstrates, on the one hand, the quality of the race organization and, on the other, the economic and tourist impact generated within the province by sporting events such as this. Since its beginnings, this stage race has been an excellent showcase for Castellón’s tourism sector, as well as serving to revitalize the activities of many businesses operating in the municipalities included on its route”, said the Chair.

Castellón Escenario Deportivo

This collaboration forms part of the Provincial Council’s support to sport as a catalyst for the provincial economy, which it carries out through the “Castellón Escenario Deportivo” project.

“The Volta Ciclista a Castelló once again demonstrates that our province is the best possible setting for the practice of cycling. We only have to take a look at our roads, both on the coast and in the interior, and especially on the weekends, to see that this is true.”

19 domestic and international under-23 teams will participate in this year’s edition of the race, which will be split over four stages: Benicàssim-Benicàssim, Onda-Alqueries, Grao de Castellón-Vistabella, and Castellón-Castellón.

Further information

For further information about Volta Ciclista a Castelló 2018:

Volta Ciclista a Castelló website

Legal and Safety 

As is the case in many countries, there are often quite a lot of grey areas in our knowledge about what is and what is not legally-permissible when cycling on public roads in Spain, which can lead to a degree of uncertainty about what we can and cannot do when we are out riding our bikes. 

In our "Legal and Safety" articles, we'd like to help shed some light on what, to the best of our knowledge, are our legal rights and obligations when out and about on our bikes in Spain. 

We hope they'll be of use to you. However, we are not lawyers, nor do we offer professional legal advice, so please don't take our word for it and, as always, we recommend you consult a responsible adult before taking any action in relation to doing anything whatsoever. Just in case. 

So, having said that.....

Is it legal to ride two abreast on Spanish roads?

If you're anywhere near being a regular cyclist, you'll almost certainly be familiar with comments from other road users indicating that cyclists should not ride two abreast on public roads.

Under no circumstances.

Ever.

And, again, if you're anywhere near being a regular cyclist, you'll almost certainly have learnt that other road users cannot usually be considered a reliable source of advice about what cyclists can and cannot legally do on public roads.

So, where do we find out if it is legal to ride two abreast on Spanish roads?

In the Reglamento General de Circulación artículo 36.2 (General Traffic Regulation Article 36.2), revised on 18/07/2015, that's where.

Which is fun. All the more so when we find out that the answer is "yes".

According to the mentioned article:

It is forbidden for the vehicles listed in the previous section to circulate two abreast, with the exception of bicycles, which may do so in two parallel columns, keeping as far to the extreme right-hand side of the road as possible and riding in single-file on sections of road with poor visibility, and when there is heavy traffic. When circulating on dual-carriageways, bicycles must always use the hard shoulder, and must under no circumstances occupy the carriageway.

The regulation also gives a group of cyclists the consideration of a single vehicle, exempting its members from the obligation to maintain the reglementary distance between each other, whilst allowing them to overtake other members of the same group.

Hard Shoulder

There is however a little bit of uncertainty in the regulation's definition about when cyclists are to use the hard shoulder, what with that mention of "keeping as far to the extreme right-hand side of the road as possible", and article 36.1 seeming to contradict article 36.2 when stating:

in the absence of a dedicated route, or a dedicated part of the carriageway, (bicycles) are to use the right-hand shoulder, if the shoulder is useable and of sufficient size. To the contrary, they are to use the necessary part of the carriageway.

Hmmm.... . So.... cyclists are to keep as far right "as possible", use the hard shoulder, when there is one, unless they can't, in which case....the "necessary part of the carriageway".

The clue is in the terms "as possible", "useable", "the necessary part" and, to a lesser degree, "of sufficient size", all of which are open to interpretation, as a fat tyre bike rider's "useable" may well be a roadie's minefield, and "the extreme right-hand side of the road as possible" will almost certainly be interpreted differently by motor vehicle drivers and by cyclists, and possibly by the police, too.

"The necessary part of the carriageway"...... . How do you quantify that in a manner that is universally acceptable?

And what about a trike....?

But, anyway, is any of this important?

Well....it is if we are (legally) riding two abreast, but can't fit both files of riders onto the hard shoulder and we don't want to get fined and/or into arguments/collisions with other, "informed" road users.

Such things have been known to happen.

The regulation doesn't ever really get around to clearing up this doubt, but general practice and policing would suggest that a group of cyclists riding on a road with a narrow/unuseable(no hard shoulder would be alright using the carriageway.

You may not be safe from the attentions, verbal and otherwise, of certain road users, but you should in most cases, regulation in hand, be on the right side of the law.

Of course, the regulation also introduces certain conditions and exceptions relative to riding two abreast. For example, two abreast means just that: in rows of two, not more, no hogging of the road; and riding two-abreast is not allowed when doing so would cause an obstruction to traffic or when there is poor visibility.

But this is surely a matter of common sense.

However, and this should be obvious, although as cyclists we are allowed to ride in double file, it is wise to remember that it is in everybody's interest that we help drivers when they are overtaking us. Not only will the car in question be in front of us (which is usually preferable to it being behind us), it is also just possible that driver may remember our help and act accordingly the next time they meet a group of cyclists on the road.

Be safe, always count to ten, and don't forget to read our disclaimer.

Cicloturismo en la Comunidad Valenciana is part of a project that aims to FOSTER CYCLING as a strategy for the local development of towns and regions of the Valenica Community (funbici.org).

Conceived as an association registered with the Valencian Regional Government (Generalitat Valenciana), Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana is made up of a team whose members have been drawn from the worlds of business, the public administration and groups dedicated to defending cycling as both a means of transport and a sustainable leisure activity.

This project is based on research carried out between 2014 and 2015 through the University of Alicante, during which the potential of cycling tourism (initially, in the province of Alicante), as well as the needs of European cyclists (the most mature segment of demand at the present time) was analyzed.

Although the project was initially focussed on the province of Alicante, it is currently being extended to the rest of the Valencian Community.

The Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana website provides visitors with information on routes within the region, including extensive information on the Vía Verde network, as well as bicycle tourism-related services, such as bicycle rental and accommodation, etc.


Cycling is a mode of active tourism that is characterized as an economic activity with a low carbon footprint and high potential for growth in Europe. In certain countries, bicycle tourism already represents a significant percentage of the overall domestic tourism revenue.

Its non-seasonal nature and strong local component, together with its minimal impact on the environment, make cycling tourism a key factor for the development of European regions. In this sense, the European Cyclists' Federation is developing, within the framework of the Europe2020 objective, a system of bike paths (EuroVelo) that will allow cyclists to tour the continent by bike.

Through its activities, Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana aims to position the Valencian Community on the domestic and the international cycling maps, working to promote its activities from the ground up, that is, through the region’s citizens to potential domestic and European visitors.

The project has already received the backing of social groups working in favour of cycling and of local companies. If you think that you’d be able to help in the promotion of cycling in the Valencian Community, don’t hesitate to contact the team members via the Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana website.

Ciclismo en la Comunidad Valenciana website

On September 29th, 2018, the VIII Marcha Alberto Contador will bring together cyclists from all over the world for a unique Gran Fondo, accompanied by some of the leading figures in Spanish cycling, on a most spectacular, 167km-route that takes in some of the most popular cycling spots in the province of Alicante. The race’s format is that of a cyclosportive, meaning that the participants will be able to enjoy a route that is completely closed off to traffic.



Setting off from Oliva Nova, the participants will ride south down the coast to the town of Denia, from where they will head inland towards Parcent and the popular climb of Coll de Rates (615m). From the top of Rates, the ride continues further inland via Castell de Castells to Quatretondeta, before heading back over the route's highest point at Muro de Tollos (836m) and towards the coast via Vall de la Gallinera and Vall d'Ebo, finishing in Oliva Nova.

Accommodation

Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort will house the participants of the VIII Marcha Alberto Contador as the race’s official accommodation provider. Located right on the waterfront, surrounded by olive trees and orange fields between Gandía (Valencia) and Denia (Alicante), Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort combines sun, sea and mountains to bring your dream holidays to life.
Its golf course, its tennis and paddle courts, its high performance equestrian centre, its 4 soccer fields and its state-of-the-art gymnasium also make it the ideal destination for athletes, both amateur and professional.

The Alberto Contador Foundation

The Alberto Contador Foundation is a non-profit organisation that bases its actions on two main pillars:

On the one hand, its actions are geared towards promoting the everyday use of bicycles as a mode of transport and locomotion, and thus achieving a general awareness within society that cycling is a source of health and wellbeing.

And on the other hand, it also focuses on the fight against Stroke. The foundation aims to raise the population’s awareness regarding this cerebrovascular accident that increasingly affects our society and, in many cases, could be prevented through healthy habits.

For further details, consult the Marcha Alberto Contador website >> here

Code SP489

April 7, 2018, sees the celebration of a 400 km Brevet, starting from La Carrasqueta and heading out to El Peñón de Ifach in Calpe before tracking back through the mountains of Alicante and the inland regions and out once more towards the coast.

The route takes in Playa de San Juan (Avenida Locutor Vicente Hipólito, 37, Alicante) - Xixona - Benilloba - Benasau - Ares del Bosque - Confrides - Benifato - Guadalest - Callosa d'en Sarriá - Altea la Vella - Calpe - Moraira - Benitatxell - Xàbia - Jesús Pobre - Gata de Gorgos - Lliber - Xaló - Alcalalí - Parcent - Benigembla - Castell de Castells - Facheca - Famorca - Tollos - Beniaia - Alcalá de la Jovada - Vall de Ebó - Pego - L'Atzubia - Vall de Gallinera - Patró - L'Orxa - Beniarrés - Castelló de Rugat - Albaida - Agullent - Ontenient - Bocairent - Villena - Salinas - Monóvar - Novelda - Agost - San VIcente del Raspeig - Playa de San Juan.



Starting at 5 am on Saturday 7th, the maximum time allowed for a 400 km BRM is 27 hours.

Further information and registration: Ciclismo en Alicante

Positive news for Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

The Valencia Region's most important men's professional cycling stage race, La Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Gran Premi Banc Sabadell, has received a positive report from the UCI (International Cycling Union).

The event, which dates back to 1929, celebrated its 69th edition between January 31 to February 4, 2018, covering as usual much of the Valencian territory over the course of its five stages. With his overall win on GC this year, Movistar rider Alejandro Valverde now holds the record for the most victories in the event's history.

In its report, cycling's governing body praised the event for its organization; the accommodation provided for the teams; the event security; the television coverage and the large numbers of spectators present during each of the stages.

Race director, former professional cyclist Angel Casero, expressed his satisfaction with the assessment as, in his own words, “it is the result of the work carried out during a whole year. This highly-positive report will motivate us to continue working even harder and, without a doubt, it shows that we have grown a lot. I would like to congratulate the entire team that makes La Volta possible, and to thank our main sponsor Banc Sabadell, as well as the public institutions, collaborators and all the spectators who came to see the professional peloton racing on the roads of the Valencia Region”.

Step by step, the organizers of the Valencian race are growing the event and working towards their objective of consolidating a historic competition that will celebrate its 70th edition in 2019. Thanks to this constant progress, it will be easier to move the race up to a higher category. “Logically, it will mean a lot more work, but those of us who involved in the event want to see it happen”, pointed out Angel Casero.

Website: Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

The Valencian province of Castellón is to host the 2018 Spanish Road Cycling Championships on 22nd, 23rd and 24th June.

Individual Time Trial

The first event of this year's championships will be the Individual Time Trial, to be held on Friday 22nd in the village of Vall d'Alba. The sub-23 and women's events, both to be held over 20km, will take place in the morning, while the men's event will be held over a 38km-course in the afternoon.

Sub-23 and Women's Road Race

On the following day, Saturday 23rd, the sub-23 and women's road races will be held between the towns of Oropesa del Mar, located on the Castellón coast, and Culla, located at an altitude of more than 1000 metres above sea level in the inland mountainous region of "El Maestrat". The sub-23 race will cover 3 laps of a final finishing ciruit and a total of 160km, whilst the women's race will cover 2 laps of the final circuit and cover a total of 120 km.

Men's Road Race

The final day of the championship's, Sunday 24th June, sees the men's road race, which starts in the city of Castellón de la Plana and covers some 210km, finishing in the coastal town of Benicàssim. The course takes in various climbs in the Serra d'Espadà range, located in the south of the province, and three climbs of El Desierto de Las Palmas, situated near to the finish.


For further information:

Royal Spanish Cycling Federation website (Spanish)

Royal Spanish Cycling Federation twitter (Spanish)

Province of Castellón (English)
Vall d'Alba (English)

Oropesa del Mar (English)

Culla (English)

Benicàssim (English)

Further information about the championships will be published via Twitter under the hastag #CECastellón18.

Legal and Safety 

As is the case in many countries, there are quite a lot of grey areas about what is and what is not legally-permissable when cycling on public roads in Spain, which can lead to a degree of uncertainty about what we can and cannot do when we are out riding our bikes. 

In our "Legal and Safety" articles, we'd like to help shed some light on what, to the best of our knowledge, are our legal rights and obligations when out and about on our bikes. 

We hope they'll be of use to you. However, don't take our word for it and, as always, we recommend you consult a responsible adult before taking any action in relation to doing anything whatsoever. Just in case. 

Are flashing bicycle lights legal on Spanish roads?

Well may you ask: we might not like them, but they are certainly an effective way of indicating a cyclist's presence on a public road.

And as is so often the case, the answer is not always as clear as we would like.

A sizeable increase in the number of people cycling and certain somewhat outdated traffic regulations regarding bicycles are factors that are common to many countries today, and Spain is certainly no exception, as borne out by the recent public outcry regarding the prohibition to use flashing bicycle lights on Spanish roads.

Largely overlooked and languishing in the grey area of urban (cycling) legend for quite some time, Spanish traffic regulations relative to the use, and/or prohibition, of flashing bicycle lights were brought to the general public's attention in February when the Civil Guard fined a 78-year cyclist from Ourense, northern Spain, 200 euros for riding with a flashing rear light.

The article under which cycling veteran Gonzalo López Casanova was fined referred to the obligatory use of non-flashing, white rear lights in conditions of reduced visibility, i.e., between dusk and dawn, poor weather, in tunnels, etc. The somewhat ambigiously-worded article did not actually indicate the prohibition of flashing, red lights, but neither did it expressly authorise their use.

Surprised as he was by the fine, López Casanova was equally as taken aback by the media repercussion of his case, which quickly spread from cycling forums to the Internet and the general press.

Seemingly a widespread sore point for many, the cycling community was quick to react to the case, and within hours more than 20,000 signatures had been obtained via change.org in favour of a change in the regulations. López Casanova was also contacted by the Spanish Professional Cyclists Association, which provided him with legal advice.

Such was the reaction that the Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT) communicated via Twitter its intention to look into the future application of the regulation:

"#DGT is aware of the need for information in relation to flashing #bicycle #lights. We aim to issue an appropriate response shortly in favour of the safety of cyclists, which make up a vulnerable collective of road users."

You can read that DGT Twitter statement, in Spanish, here.

Indeed, the lack of clear information was one of the issues pointed out by López Casanova: "It's a very unhappy state of affairs. I mean, I've been riding my bike for years and I'd never heard about flashing bicycle lights being prohibited".

True to their word, on March 6th the Director of the DGT, Gregorio Serrano, issued a statement via Twitter indicating a change in the regulations to permit the use of flashing bicycle lights on public roads:

"Today I signed an Order aimed at favouring the protection of cyclists on public roads through the use of flashing red lights. Cyclists make up a vulnerable collective that merit our complete attention. In all cases, prudence and compliance with the applicable regulations represent the best means of protection".

And you can read that DGT Twitter statement, in Spanish, here

So, it would seem, flashing red bicycle lights are permitted on Spain's public roads. Or at least, they are not prohibited. And, it would seem, López Casanova has since had his fine cancelled.....

For many casual and urban cyclists in Spain, the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation (Real Federación Española de Ciclismo) hasn't really meant a great deal up to now, being as it was more traditionally focussed on competitive and sports cycling.

However, that looks set to change with the Federation's drive to publish cycling routes from all corners of Spain as part of its aim to promote cycling at all levels, in all modes and in all areas.

With the publication of the "Rutas en Bici" section in its website, the Federation aims to provide a hub where cyclists can upload and download routes from any part of Spain, together with maps and information about route distances, descriptions, points of interest, degree of difficulty, images and videos. The routes can also be downloaded in GPX format.

Users can download the routes that have already been published and upload their own routes via the "yosoyciclista" section in the RFEC website (available in Spanish):


Royal Spanish Cycling Federation #yosoyciclista

The Valencia Tourism Agency has published a guide for cycle tourism covering the whole of the Valencia Region. Written by José Manuel Almerich, the guide covers the Region's 3 provinces (Castellón, Valencia and Alicante) and provides extremely useful information about the Region, its rail trails, use of the regional train network when cycling, Valencia's network of MTB centres and information for long-distance cycling.

Containing a wealth of details about starting and finishing points, estimated journey times, distances, maps, links to detailed routes and tracks, and historical and cultural information, "Cycle Tourism Guide to the Region of Valencia" can be downloaded for free in PDF format and is available in Spanish, Valencian, French, English and German.

The guide can be downloaded via the following link: Cycle Tourism Guide to the Region of Valencia 

Registration is now open for this year's edition of Marcha Ciudad de Valencia, to be held on October 6, 2018.

The event begins in Marina Juan Carlos I in Valencia Port, before heading out to the coastal town of Culler and back. There are two routes available: 80 km or 100 km. The 100 km route takes in the climbs of “El Volcán” and “El Castillo”, with slopes of up to 19%.

Services for participants include breakfast, en route assistance, feed zones, post-event massage, lunch and lockers.

Last year's event saw more than 2500 participants take part .

For further details about registration, prices, etc., visit the event website:

Marcha Ciudad de Valencia website

What is a "rail trail", or "greenway"?

Greenways in the Valencia Region

The 1st edition of the @ruedavlc International Cycling Film Festival is scheduled to take place in Sala Off, Valencia between 19th and 22nd April.

The festival's programme is to include cycling-related events and films, with titles such as: 

Farfalla 30' + One Year on a Bike, 46'  
Cyclopedes 4'+ Slaying the Badger 78'  
Tall bike will save the word 26'+ The rider and the wolf 62'  
Hombre electrico 17' + Okhwan's Mission Impossible 68'  
Makkina 11' + Contromano 73'  
Velodrool 6' + Ovarian Psycos

The programming for the festival's children's section, known as RUEDA KIDS, is to include:

Angelinho 4'
La bici elefante 9'
Pat e Mat 8'
El sonido del piñón 2'
The world's first bicycle 5'

More information and updates about the festival can be found at the @ruedavlc Facebook page:

@ruedavlc Facebook