Introduction

Granada is a great place to ride, one of our favourites in Spain.

The capital of the region, Granada is based at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is famous for it's beautiful historical buildings. Ride out from the city in an easterly direction and the mountains are your playground.

On this weekend escape we take in the best the area has to offer and climb mainland Europe's highest main-road climb.

Itinerary

Thursday 12th September - Day 1: Arrival

After arriving at Malaga Airport, you will be met by one of our guides in the arrivals hall. Malaga is a 1.5h transfer away.

At the hotel you will be reunited with your bike that will have been driven down for you. A couple of hours for a nice lunch, time to settle in and fettle your bike, and then we will take a leisurely ride through the orange groves to the West of the city.

Friday 13th September - Day 2

• Distance: 120km
• Elevation: 1300m

This ride loops firstly south and then circumnavigates the Parque Natural Sierra de Huetor. Riding across the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountians, the backdrop is spectacular. Leaving Granada, you climb upwards for a solid 30km to the village of Tocon. From here the good news is that you are doing more down than up. We recomend coffee at La Peza (km 40). From here you skirt round a lake and through typical Andalusian scrub and farmland. Iznalloz is an ideal stop for lunch and then from here it is under 40km back to Granada.

Saturday 14th September - Day 3: Queen Stage

• Distance: 88km
• Elevation: 2300m

This ride is an out and back to the most famous mountain in the area, the Pico de Veleta. The climb summits at over 3000m, and few places offer the unique experience that climbing from Granada to the peak provides.

The abruptness and theatre of the climb will not be lost on you. For 43 km you climb, this is after all the highest road in mainland Europe. A time of 3 hours will put you in the top ten for Strava but expect a time nearer 4 hours!

After all your hard work, take a selfie, turn the bike round and whizz back down to Granada for a well-earned drink.

Towering above the Sierra Nevada national park the Pico de Veleta stands at 3395 metres above sea level and is mainland Europe's highest main-road climb.

Perhaps not carrying the allure of some of the other high peaks in Europe, the Pico de Veleta still offers a huge challenge to anyone that wants to tick the biggest mountains of Europe off their bucket list.

Climbing into the Sierra Nevada on your bike is a unique experience. All mountain ranges must start somewhere, but few places have access to over 3,000 metres so abruptly or dramatically as when climbing the Pico de Veleta from Granada.

Sunday 15th September - Day 4: Warm down and departure

Today we pack up and ride to the coast. This 80km ride is mostly downhill and is the ideal end to the weekend. We then transfer you back to the airport.

(nb: itinerary subject to change depending on weather and other safety factors)

Group Size

The group will be a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 people. We feel that this size of group works best as there will always be enough in the group for some good company but there won't be so many people that it becomes overcrowded.

What's Included

• 24 hour emergency back up support
• 3 nights in a 4* Hotel
• Full Board
• Transfers from the airport to the hotel (if arriving on our recommended flights)
• 2 Professional Cycling Guides
• 1 Bike Mechanic (including support vehicle)
• Local Taxes
• Bike transfer from Bespoke Gresham Street

What's Not Included

• Flights
• Bike Hire
• Insurance (we recommend cycling specialists Yellow Jersey insurance - click for a quote)
• Drinks

Accommodation

Accommodation is in a clean and comfortable 4-star bike friendly hotel in the centre of Granada. The Macia Granada Five Senses Rooms & Suites is situated in the heart of this vibrant city.

Food & Drink

All your breakfasts, lunches, coffee stops and dinners are included in the price of the trip. Lunches will be provided each day in a cafe or will be picnic lunches provided by the guides when the weather is good.

Evening meals are provided at your accommodation or in a nearby restaurant. We also supply fruit, biscuits, cake, nuts, etc in the support vehicle that you are welcome to have throughout the day as well as sports nutrition if required.

Water and soft drinks will be in the support vehicle but any alcoholic drinks are not included and will have to be purchased individually.

Support

Each one of our Guided Road Cycling tours is supported by at least 1 qualified bike mechanic as well as 2 professional cycling guides to ride near the front and at the back of the group. The mechanic will drive the support vehicle that will be on hand throughout the day.

Recommended Flights

Fly to: Malaga

Booking

Dates: 12/09/2019 - 15/09/2019

Departure Day: Thursday

Total Price: £1,700.00

Book securely online with our Travel partners Bikecation:
bikecation.co.uk/offer.aspx?id=915