Special week Mojacar-Calpe / 21-28 October 2023
After a first edition of the special week Calpe – Mojacar in 2019, a second edition was organized this year, but in the opposite direction. In four stages we cycled from Baguet Bicycle Center in Mojacar to Service Course in Calpe. A trip totaling 343 km and 3000 hm.
Under the watchful eye of 4 guides the 32 participants were divided into 2 level groups so that everyone could ride the stages at his/her level.
On Saturday 21/10 the bikes were waiting for us in Mojacar. After an enjoyable lunch and after the pedals were fitted we rode a warm-up ride of 44 km. The legs were loose and the bikes approved !
Stage 1 led us from Mojacar to Lorca, a total of 83 km and 980 altimeters…. After all the suitcases were loaded into the van and after a nice run up the coast via Villaricos, we went uphill to the supplies in Pulpi. Via mostly flat and quiet roads, but with wind on the nose, we arrived in Lorca. The devil was in the tail: the hotel (the beautiful Parador of Lorca) was located at the top of a 2 km slope with an average gradient of 8%. A tough calf bite to end the first day. But the unique vista and the luxurious hotel compensated for the climbing.
After a good night’s sleep, we left for the 2nd ride towards Archena, 77 km and 780 altimeters. After the descent from the Parador, 25 km of slightly ascending kilometers awaited us until the feeding station in a constantly changing landscape. From the provisioning it went in a descending line (except for small kink) until Archena. The rooms in Hotel Hyltor were clean and sober. Excellent tapas at a local restaurant, complemented by a special beer at the bar of the local swimming pool made for a nice après-bike.
The 3rd ride took us from Archena to San Vicente del Raspeig, a suburb of Alicante where the university is located. With 94 km and 860 altimeters, it was the longest ride. The wind was kind to us so it was a fast ride. Again, like the previous days, we rode along quiet roads and the climbing was in the first part of the ride. So we arrived on time at Villa Universitaria (the university’s hotel), with nice, new, clean rooms, some even with a kitchenette. The bikes were stored in the garage and the tapas bar at the roundabout became the gathering point for hungry and thirsty bicyclists.
The last ride that took us to Calpe, with 1,270 altimeters and 89 km, was also the most difficult of the 4. The beautiful views (after 3 days we saw the sea again) and the stunning, sun-drenched landscapes, made the sore legs quickly forget. Even uphill was enjoying the beauty. In Relleu, like every day, Erwin and Sandra were waiting for us for supplies. This time together with some companions and customers who had come to meet us from Calpe. Together we covered the last 45 km to Calpe, where we were welcomed in Service Course with pancakes and rice or apple pie of our choice. A nice ending to a wonderful four-day trip.
Meanwhile, the suitcases were already waiting for us at Hotel Suitopia. The hotel where we stayed in Calpe until our return on Saturday.
Thursday was a rest day. Some went (leisurely) cycling, others went for some walking or shopping. A day with something for everyone.
As the cycling finale of the week, the “classic” to the Bernia was on the program on Friday. A beautiful, long and gentle climb that in the descent offers magnificent views of Calpe and the rock. After the ride the bikes were handed in and with a farewell drink the week ended nicely. After dinner in Suitopia, extensions followed for some in the local (Belgian) pubs. But Saturday everyone was on the bus in time for the ride to the airport and the return flight to Brussels !
Would you like to be there next year? Then mark the week from 12/10 to 19/10/2024 in your agenda. More practical info can be found here.
