Long winter shadows give way to expansive orchards of olive and orange trees. The deep blue of the Mediterranean dances in and out of sight, and whitewashed villages dot its coastline. These are just some of the fleeting impressions that are on constant display while riding along the coast of Spain’s Alicante region in the early season.
Cycling has many meccas, but in the winter months, countless cyclists now make a pilgrimage all their own to this region of Spain. Known for its abundance of sun, as well as its varied terrain that includes a string of moderate mountains, Alicante has proven itself to be the ideal training ground for cyclists around the world.
Just last year, I travelled to Alicante with my friend and colleague Olga Abalos for a Rouleur Magazine feature on these climbs and their long history with the sport. We stayed in the small town of Altea just down the road from Calpe. Altea is just one of those whitewashed villages, and its timeless charm inspired American indie-folk singer Josh Rouse in his song Quiet Town.
During our stay, it was clear that it was inspiring plenty of cyclists as well. Pro and amateur teams could be seen in all the hotels around, and a steady stream cyclists rolled up and down the coastal road morning, noon and night, as they headed out and back on their rides.
Alt de Tudons, Coll de Rates and Coll de La Vall d’Ebo may not be household names when discussing cycling’s classic climbs, and yet they are climbed by thousands of cyclists day in and day out during the early season. During these months, world champions and amateurs alike flock to these roads as they accumulate much-needed base miles or do performance tests. In short, the climbs of Alicante are the place to be for an early-season cycling trip.
To read the full feature and learn more about this magical region and its climbs, our friends at Rouleur have given us an exclusive link to read the article for free, usually only available for their paying members. Click the link below to read the feature and if you like what you read then consider signing up to a Rouleur membership for more great writing and photography.
