Passing over the Serra Grossa range and linking the comarcas of Vall d'Albaida and la Costera, el Puerto del Portitxol is a relatively easy, regular climb that is popular with local cyclists and which can be slotted into numerous hilly routes in the lesser-known southwest corner of the province of Valencia/northwest corner of the province of Alicante.
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For the 2019 edition of La Vuelta a España, the organizers of the Spanish national tour have pulled a real rabbit out of the hat in the form of the previously-unused climb of el Alto de Javalambre - or el Picón del Buitre, as it is more commonly known -, atop of which sits the spectacular Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory.
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 TÃ rbena, 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.
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.
CLIMBS IN ALICANTE
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.
As part of a welcome series of measures aimed at improving safety for cyclists and at promoting the tourism attraction of the region's inland villages and towns, a few years ago the Provincial Council of Valencia launched a project to install road-signs specially designed for cyclists on some 20 mountain passes covered by the province’s road network.
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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.
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Road sign indicating minimum legal overtaking distance on Gandia - Simat Protected Cycling Route |
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, FrigorÃficos 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
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