VB Calpe Itinerary
All the info you need for your trip to Calpe…
Each day we will have at least two route options and these are to be known as the Remco Route and the Van der Poel Route.
Details of the cafe stops are included. With the size of the group there may be some adjustment on the fly to where we stop, but we will do our best to make sure we have a full cafe stop with all of us together every day.
Each picture is a link to the route so you can save to your computers before you go. Please make sure you have the day’s route saved before we set off and don’t rely on others to navigate.
There is no obligation to stay in the same group for the week, people can chop and change as they wish but we ask all riders to follow the pre-planned routes and not do their own thing. This is a safety precaution and we have designed the itinerary so that there is something for everyone.
We will all be riding together until the cafe stop each day, so no need to be fixed on your group before we leave although I will do a poll in the WhatsApp group each morning just to get a guide on numbers.
Day Zero - Arrival
Once we have checked in and built bikes, those that fancy it can head out for a 2 hour ish spin.
There’s a spicy little bonus extra climb if you want - has cracking views of Calpe and the Ifach Rock (MVDP actually lives there).
Remco Group
Van der Poel Group
Day One - Col de Rates Sighting Lap
The Col de Rates PB attempt day is tomorrow, so today we’ll tap away up the famous climb and get a feel for it.
Of course, anyone who wants to ride the climbs hard this week can do so, but please wait at the top. We are there to ride together and not drop people.
Cafe stop at the best spot in town - Musette Cycling Cafe
Remco Group
Van der Poel Group
Day Two - Coll de Rates PB
The Coll de Rates PB attempt day. As I have said before, please ride this at your own effort and do not feel pressured to do something you don’t want to do. But if you wanna whack it, by all means whack it.
I want to use this for our ‘content bubble’ - this is the day we will all be in our jerseys so make sure you have yours on.
I’m planning to group everyone together at the bottom, set us off in waves and let the faster riders ride through the group so we get loads of content as we’re all going. Start you cameras at the bottom or just get some clips on your phone - lets make a buzz around VB and the jerseys today.
Cafe stop in Tarbena after the descent from Rates. Make sure we’re waiting for the last rider at the top of Rates then we’ll do our thing to the cafe.
Remco Group
Van der Poel Group
Day Three - Longer, Steadier Day
Your mitochondria will thank you for today.
As before, regroup at the top of climbs for the last rider. No one is racing, descend safely.
Cafe in Confrides or Guadalest a bit further down if that’s a no-go.
Remco Group
Van der Poel Group
Day Four - Choose Your Poison
Three options today so fill ya boots. Same rules apply as before, if only a handful are doing the longer or the shorter route we all stick together and ride back to town as one.
Cafe stop at VeloSol, I’m sure the longer route will crack at some point and need a petrol station haribo stop too.
Routes are there for a Big Day Out, a cafe ride or some final spicy bits before you head home.
Remco Group
Van der Poel Group
Wout Group
Calpe has had a real boom in recent years, and the Coll de Rates in particular has gone from being relatively unknown to THE climb to beat. All because of one relatively good cyclist and his KOM attempts…
Coll de Rates:
The perfect testing / training climb? Long enough to hurt, short enough to repeat if you really want. Same gradient all the way up and the perfect gradient to tap away easily or really go for it.
Val d'Ebo:
You might, if you’re lucky, see Remco smashing his way up this in his early season preparations. Longer than Rates it’s a great climb to weave into a Big Day Out…
Port de Tudons:
Steady, long, get in a rhythm and tap up it. Don’t be fooled by the shallow early slopes, you’ll need to save your legs.
Climb Information
Here is my recommended packing list. This isn’t an ‘everything you must bring’ list as that’s personalised, this is a ‘don’t forget this’ list.
Bike (for Di2 bikes you should be fine on the plane, but don’t forget the charging wire and put any mechs/pedals in flight mode if you have it)
Shoes / Helmet - the things you don’t want to forget and have to try and replace out there.
Passport, cash, bank card for using abroad.
VB kit - please wear as much VB kit as possible this week. It’s not exclusive of course, but looks really good if we’re representing.
For Day Two in the special edition jerseys please wear VB or Santini shorts with them.Nutrition - packs into the bike box / hold luggage. Bring what you need but there are bike shops out there we can stock up at as well.
Wet weather kit - jacket, overshoes, whatever you need to keep warm and dry if the weather turns. Think Spring in the UK riding.
Euro Plug Adapters.
Action cameras (GoPros, Insta360s, DJIs etc).
Bike Computer - it’s easiest to download the routes at home on good wifi than while you’re out.
There will be tools/track pumps at the hotel but bring your own if you can, makes building the bikes much quicker.
If anyone has any direct questions about what to bring, just give me a shout.
Packing List
Cafe Stops
The best bit, and Calpe’s got some cracking ones…
Mid-ride stop at:
Musette in Alcalali
Mid-ride stop at:
Dolc i Salat in Tarbena
Mid-ride stop at:
El Pirineo in Confrides
Mid-ride stop at:
Velosol in Alcalali
Start/Finish your ride at:
Blanca Bikes in Calpe
Finish your ride at:
cafeseasmos in Calpe
Important Info
You MUST have travel insurance in place before you travel. It is a legal requirement the travel package.
If you have not already got travel insurance in place you can create a quote using our partners at Rock Insurance on this link here.
I strongly advise having your bike insured for travel as well. Providers like Bikmo, Laka, Yellow Jersey and others can help. No partnership with these, but mine are through Bikmo as they were easy to deal with and resonably priced.
If you need a bike box for the trip, I’m partnered with Adventure Kit Hire who can deliver bike boxes to your door before you travel. Check out the website on the link here
Disclaimer: The cycling routes provided are for informational purposes only and may not have been ridden or tested. You are responsible for your own safety at all times—please exercise caution, follow local traffic laws, and assess route conditions as you ride.