Every year, thousands of recreational and professional cyclists head to Calpe. From this tourist coastal town you can do some fantastic cycling and training under the sun in winter, which is why a cycling holiday (or training camp) to Calpe is blocked in the agenda of many cyclists every year. It is the place to escape the cold, train on fantastic roads and popular climbs, and spot professional cyclists getting ready for the new season. Would you also like to cycle in Calpe and are curious to know what the area has to offer? What is the best travel period, where to stay and what are the best cycling routes? Then read on and discover all the ins and outs about Calpe as a 'Cycling Destination'.
Text and photography by Maks Groeneveld and Jeffrey Wiese
What makes Calpe so popular among cyclists?
For decades, Calpe has been popular among professional cycling teams to train during the winter months. And for good reason; the climate provides warm and dry winters. It remains sunny and daytime temperatures remain around 10-12 degrees in the coldest month. Meanwhile, the destination has also been popular with recreational riders for years. With the Alicante airport around the corner Calpe is easy to reach and the infrastructure is excellent, allowing you to go in many directions as a cyclist. You will find plenty of popular routes online and almost every road is passable. Even on busier roads such as the N-332 are motorists respectful to cyclists. Strict rules apply, such as that cars must overtake cyclists with one-and-a-half metres of space. Good for safety!
Calpe as training location for pro riders
Many professional cycling teams come to train in Calpe and its surroundings in winter. Many teams stay in cycling-friendly hotels like Diamante Beach, where the car park is filled with team buses during the winter months. During your rides over popular climbs such as the Coll de Rates, you will undoubtedly be overtaken by pros who shine in important races during the summer months. In December, riders still ride in their 'old' clothes. From 1 January, riders are allowed to hit the road with the new season's outfits and bikes. At the end of January, many professional riders start training in other areas to prepare for the cooler spring classics. You will then again see mostly recreational riders or smaller groups of professional riders in the region.
The best training routes from Calpe
It is perhaps Europe's most famous training climb; the Coll de Rates. Climbing via the side of Parcent and descending to Tàrbena is the most popular. Try to ride this route during the week; on a nice weekend day, you also share the road with many bikers and cars. During the week, you'll see mostly cyclists around you. You almost imagine yourself in a real-life Zwift!
Another recommended one is the ascent to Port de Bèrnia, this is a beautiful loop that starts and ends in Jalón/Xaló. Climb best from Jalón counterclockwise. You will then ride about 470 altimeters in 12.5 kilometres. The descent is quite steep in some parts, but don't forget to enjoy the beautiful sea views from time to time.
Also read Ruth Koops van 't Jagt and Tim Sinke's story about cycling on the Costa Blanca here.
Renting a road bike near Calpe
Many cyclists choose to hire a bike on cycling holidays. The choice of bike rental companies in Calpe and its surroundings is vast. For example Allure Bike Rental simply deliver your rental bike to your holiday address. They also offer additional services, such as roadside assistance. Then you will hit the road with extra peace of mind!
When to cycle in Calpe?
In December, you mainly see a lot of (pro) teams in the Calpe area. In January, more smaller teams and recreational cyclists come to the region. As a result, the region gets busier. At the end of January, many professional riders start training in other areas to prepare for the cooler spring classics. Do you enjoy spotting professional riders? Then it's best to go on a cycling holiday to Calpe in December or early January.
Want some more peace and quiet on the roads and escape the cold at home? Then go in February. It gets busier again around March, April and May.
Calpe is known as a cycling destination for the winter, but outside the cold months it is also good to be here. Summer can be hot, but you can usually cycle well in the morning. After your ride, you can seek refreshment in the sea.
You can also cycle beautifully in Calpe in autumn. It is quieter in the area then. The advantages of a cycling holiday to Calpe in autumn are that it is slightly less warm than in summer, that you are in between the summer and winter crowds and that the sea water is still warm enough for a refreshing dip.
Other cycling destinations on the Costa Blanca; Altea, Benidorm, Jalón or Dénia
Calpe is an ideal base for cyclists, but nearby towns and villages also have a lot to offer cyclists. For example, many cycling teams choose to stay in coastal town Altea to stay (e.g. in bike-friendly hotel Cap Negrat). But there are more options. When you stay more inland, such as in the Jalón Valley, you can go in even more directions. From Jalón/Xalo (B&B Buena Idea is highly recommended) you are on the Coll de Rates in no time (okay, on foot then) and you have many options for routes towards the flatter north (towards Dénia). Inland, you have just a bit more options. When you stay in Calpe, you have less choice of roads to cycle to the popular climbs. You'll then usually cycle roughly the same route to cycle in and out of town.
Also consider Benidorm as a base if you want to go on a cycling holiday near Calpe. Accommodations here can be just a bit cheaper in the winter months and popular routes are still easily accessible. In addition, the area around Benidorm has a lot to offer for cyclists, once you get out of the hustle and bustle of Benidorm itself. Consider the Puerto de Tudons; a famous climb from the Tour of Spain. From Benidorm, you can cycle both well-known and unfamiliar routes.
