El Comtat, Inland Costa Blanca.

Our holidays in El Comtat are centre-based, staying mostly in the town of Cocentaina which is situated in the Inland Costa Blanca region, about 70kms from Alicante airport. It is the county town of El Comtat, which itself is in the province of Alicante and the autonomous region of the Comunidad Valencia.

Accommodation is in a comfortable, cycle friendly  guesthouse on the edge of town with rooms based on two people sharing twin or double rooms. Single rooms may be available at a supplement. Meals are on a half board basis. Vegetarian meals may be available if pre-booked. Secure bike storage is available, along with a small selection of tools and spares. Lunch is not included in the price, neither are snacks. Tap water is safe to drink as is water at the many fountains in villages unless there is a sign saying ‘no potable’.

The immediate area is principally agricultural, with olives, almonds, cherries and various other crops. We also pass through areas with citrus fruits and a local speciality, nisperos.

The area is quite simply, cycling heaven.  Almost all of the roads are wonderfully surfaced and very lightly trafficked by motor vehicles. We also use former railway lines for some of our easier holidays. What looks on the map to be a very small area actually is very varied. Each valley is different and our rides will take you through very diverse terrain. We will be riding on some wonderfully remote roads with fantastic views and gaining a real Spanish hinterland experience.

Being based in a town means that you have all its facilities at hand - banks, several supermarkets, including a large Carrefour on the edge of town and even a Decathlon. There are numerous bars open all day with pavement seating and very reasonable prices. Cocentaina has distinct old quarters, some dating back centuries when the Christians, the Moors and the Jews all lived separately but part of the same town.

There is a castle overlooking the town which can be visited (walking) and the palace holds a museum which has interesting exhibits. A walk around the town itself can also be very interesting as it reveals its history with the help of signs guiding you around the old quarters. There is also a Spanish Civil War era air-raid shelter which can be visited.

Just a few minutes cycling takes you out of town and on to very pleasant roads. It is the cycling that makes it so special though. There are climbs almost every day on our more challenging routes. Some long and gently graded and some with the odd sharp sting-in-the-tail. Of course, you are also rewarded with fabulous descents, some of which enable you to swoop down through wonderful scenery for kilometre after kilometre. We also have easier routes, some using former railway lines. None of the rides are ever very far away from civilisation but they won't necessarily feel like that as the roads are so quiet and some of the valleys have a wildness about them. Most of the villages you will go through, or skirt around, have at least one bar and usually a water fountain too.

Each day’s ride, on all but our most challenging holiday, allows plenty of time for sightseeing and exploration. Most of the roads are of excellent quality though can be slippery after rain. Participants may ride at their own pace; it is not necessary to stay as one group. Regrouping can take place at the top of hills, junctions etc. The hilly nature of the terrain means that speeds will vary greatly; we climb at about 8kph with an overall average speed of around 18kph. It is important that you are fit enough to undertake each day’s ride although no one will be left behind on their own.

The weather can be variable as it can be affected by continental and Mediterranean systems. It will never be very cold but could be hot or cool. Rain is very possible and a light waterproof at least is essential. Sun cream is also needed as the sun can be very strong. If you carry the same clothing as you would for a normal British summer this should suffice.

A road or touring bike, hybrid or lightweight MTB will be suitable depending on which holiday you choose.(See individual holiday details). You should ensure your cycle is well maintained, paying particular attention to wheels, tyres and brakes. A low bottom gear (e.g. small chainring the same size or smaller than the largest cog on your rear wheel) is recommended; if unsure about gears, please talk to the leader. Lights are a legal requirement in poor visibility, at night and in tunnels, and you should carry these. New tyres are recommended of at least 25mm diameter, but on some of our holidays more robust tyres will be needed. Participants will be expected to carry each day sufficient spares and tools to deal with punctures and minor repairs. You will not need to carry luggage, but a rack top pack or bar bag will be useful for carrying wet weather gear, spare clothing needed for the day, snacks and your map.  Helmets are a legal requirement in Spain, but may be removed whilst climbing in hot weather. A hi-vis jacket/gilet is also a legal requirement in the dark or in poor visibility and you MUST carry one of these at all times.

You will be provided with a map and route card for each day’s ride, and GPX files are available on request. If you wish to buy your own map of the area the best is Michelin Zoom series (Costa Blanca) number 123. The address, phone and location of your accommodation will be provided.

Prices for drinks and meals are all very reasonable as this really isn't a tourist area, yet. If you are looking for Flamenco dancers, bingo and discos then this is not the area for you, but if you want to see what real rural Spain is like then it is. The people are, in general, very friendly and welcoming. They speak as much Valenciano as Castillian Spanish among themselves but will happily switch so you can understand them if you have a little Spanish.