On Your Bike

We know that we are by no means the first to say it, but it nevertheless remains true: while it may not be the hardest, nor the steepest, climb in Alicante, the north side of Coll de Rates is most surely the best-known and most-popular climb in the province, attracting cyclists from all over the world throughout the entire year.

Nestled in the mountains above the village of Tàrbena, La Panavista is a self-contained Spanish villa which serves as an excellent option for relaxing and enjoying this spectacular corner of the Valencia Region.

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.

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”.

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