Murcia Cycling Camp: Spain’s Off the Beaten Track Bike Tour
Guided6 days
Join this guided training camp to get ready for the Gran Fondo Bike Event, a unique opportunity to join 1000 Spanish cyclists to conquer Murcia’s premier sport. Experience the real side of Spain whilst enjoying the benefit of rolling closed roads.
Style
Road cycling
Gain
2600 m
Distance
180 km
Level
Medium
Tour overview
TRAIN AND RIDE THE GRAN FONDO IN MURCIA
This guided Gran Fondo Bike Camp offers an authentic training experience and a unique opportunity to join 1,000 cyclists for Murcia’s number one sport. This is the real Spain, rolling hills and small mountains, wild and rugged landscapes and really great company.
The terrain in this region is varied. From the glistening coastline to dense forests such as the Sierra Espuña Natural Park, the region ticks every box in terms of training style and preference. On this trip, you’ll climb challenging mountains and speed along flats flanked by vineyards. There’ll be plenty of time to soak up the local culture and gastronomy as well, in the form of bountiful lunches and dinners and of course, obligatory mid-ride coffee stops!
You will stay in the old fishing town of Los Alcázares, just a short walk from the beach. There are also several bars and restaurants just a stone’s throw from your hotel, so you’ll never be short of options for both local and international cuisine. With around 300 days of sunshine each year, this is bound to be the cycling holiday of a lifetime.
Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com
Dive right in and join an epic cycling event
Highlights of your cycling trip
Race Entry and Support
We will take care of registering you for the race nearer the time, as well as getting you to and from the event venue and translating the briefing. Our team will also be on hand to help with any last-minute issues.
Guide and Training
You’ll be guided around the area by local experts who know these roads like the back of their hand. They’ll help you train for the upcoming event on the beautiful rural roads this region is known for.
Wine Tasting Experience
You can’t come to Murcia and not try the region’s wine, so this trip also includes a wine tasting experience at a local bodega and the chance to sample some of the most beautiful flavours this region has to offer.
Tour destination
MURCIA - SPAIN
Murcia is well-known for its coastline and beaches, but its potential for cycling is still somewhat untapped. It’s a mystery to us, given the region boasts hundreds of kilometres of smooth rural roads, mountainside forests and glistening coastline. This diversity of terrain and training conditions makes for the perfect cycling getaway. After all, if it is good enough for the pros, we can certainly make the most of what Murcia has to offer as we combine our training camp with the authentic Spanish experience whilst watching one of the world’s most famous cycling races, La Vuelta a España.
Murcia’s Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect location for year-round cycling, as well as being a wonderful holiday destination. The summer months can get very hot with temperatures rising to over 30 ºC, so avoid this season if you’re not a fan of the heat. The rest of the year however offers very pleasant riding conditions, with lots of sunshine and very little rain. But pack a gilet because when the wind picks up it can get chilly!
Terrain
If Murcia is good enough for the pro riders of La Vuelta a España, it is good enough for us. The region is home to a great many climbs featured in this world-class race, as well as perfectly smooth stretches of flat tarmac, ideal for a comprehensive training programme and some spectacular views as far as the eye can see.
Culture
The Costa Blanca is one of Spain’s most acclaimed holiday destinations, thanks to its spectacular combination of sun-soaked beaches, warm and friendly locals, and rich Mediterranean culture. An old fishing town, Los Alcázares has no shortage of fresh seafood, and given the region is one of Spain’s greatest wine producers, you’ll also have the chance to sample some incredible wines and visit the local bodegas where it is made.
The luxurious 4-star Costa Narejos Hotel is just a stone’s throw from the white sands of the Playa de Los Narejos, as well as a host of cafés, bars and restaurants. You will have breakfast and dinner at the hotel, which also has a spa and outdoor pool where you can stretch your legs after a long day in the saddle. You are on holiday after all!
Tour itinerary
Your guide to a perfect cycling tour
Scheduled airport transfer & warm-up ride
Welcome to Spain! We will have organised an airport transfer to pick you up from the airport and bring you to the coastal town of Los Alcázares, where our expert guides will be waiting to meet you.
You’ll then sit down for a welcome briefing and the team will help you set up your bikes ready for the first ride of your trip. In the evening you’ll rejoin your group for a welcome dinner where you can continue getting to know your fellow tour members.
Explore the local area
Today’s route:
Los Alcázares – Puerto de Cabezo de la Plata
Day 2 is all about exploring the local area. You’ll set off in the morning from Los Alcázares and head inland on a guided ride to climb the Puerto de Cabezo de la Plata, just outside the city of Murcia.
You’ll then have lunch before cycling back to the hotel for some well-deserved R&R. There’s another guided bike ride scheduled for the evening (at a slightly slower pace) that will take you to do some wine tasting at a local bodega.
Prepare yourself
Today’s route:
Los Alcázares – Cartagena
Day 3 is your last day to prepare for the Gran Fondo race. You’ll head out on a relaxed guided ride, conserving your energy for the big day tomorrow, and stop for some lunch in the historic city of Cartagena before cycling back to the hotel.
The afternoon and evening will be yours to enjoy and prepare for tomorrow’s event however you see it. We will gather our group together for a pre-race meeting to make sure you know you are fully prepared.
Race Day
Today’s route:
Race Day!
We will transfer you and your bike to Moratalla in the morning and wish you the best of luck for the race! Once it is over, we will transfer you back to the hotel where you can rest your legs and catch up with the rest of the group about the day’s event. You may have cycled the same race but no two experiences are the same!
Take in the landscape
Optional recovery ride with extended cafe stops along the way.
Enjoy a celebratory last night dinner.
Final Day: easy ride and departure
We have a leisurely ride planned for your last day of the tour. After a week of great riding and exploring, this final recovery ride is a great chance to stretch your legs before you head home. We’ll then transfer you to the airport and wish you a pleasant onward journey.
Getting there
Information to help you book your flights and get around.
Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]
Flying in
Fly in airport: Murcia (alternatively Alicante)
When best to arrive: in the morning on the first day of the camp
Transfers: pre-set departure times scheduled airport transfers are included in the price of this trip; we will reach out to you for your exact flight details to advice on the transfer
Flying out
Fly out airport: Murcia (alternatively Alicante)
When to leave: last day of the tour, after 15:00
Transfers: scheduled airport transfers are included in the price of this trip; we will reach out to you for your exact flight details to to advice on the transfer
Tour essentials
What’s included in your cycling trip.
Accommodation
Double room
Food
Half-board
Guided cycling
Professional guide on bike, assistance vehicle in emergency
Scheduled airport transfers
To and from the airport
Qualified mechanic
Support vehicle
For anything you need, including soft drinks
Wine testing experience
Excellent off the bike option to taste local culture
Race entry and support
Including transfers and on-the-day support
What’s not included in your cycling trip.
Flights
The best airport to fly in is Murcia or Alicante. We will then organise a transfer directly to our base. If you have any questions on how to best organise your flights, contact us for more information.
Extra
Bike rental
From €100 for the entire trip
It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, high quality disc brake carbon road bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour from €100. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve chosen bikes from one of the best brands in cycling to provide you with the most suitable equipment.
Choose our performance Cannondale Synapse carbon road bike with Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting for the best performing bike for your tour.
With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly. All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every tour so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!
You can select the rental bike option when you proceed to checkout. The price includes comprehensive insurance, mechanical service and any components needed.
Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road Bike
Fitted to you and ready to ride!
More things to maximise your cycling trip
EXTRA
Single accommodation
€250 for the tour duration
By default, you'll share a room with a rider of your gender. If you wish to stay in a single room, you will be able to select this option for €250 per person when you proceed to checkout.
EXTRA
Extra nights before or after the tour
€100 per night
Shall you wish to extend your stay in the hotel, we can help you with that. When you book, just pick this option and select the number of nights you'd like to book.
Booking options
Choose when you want to travel
Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.
Calpe has long been a favourite training ground for professional and amateur cycling teams from all over the world. Overflowing with smooth tarmac, warm sunshine, and a beautiful network of climbs, descents, and changing landscapes it really is no surprise why.
Guided