Our hotel in Cangas de Onis |
Day 1
SATURDAY › Bienvenidos en Espana
Our
trip starts at Bilbao airport where our staff will be there
to welcome you before the short transfer to our hotel in Cangas de Onis.
After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up we'll enjoy our first ride in Cantabria. A short but hilly ride on almost traffic free roads!
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20 miles
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1,700 ft elev. gain |
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No major climbs today |
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Lagos de Covadonga |
Day 2
SUNDAY › LA VUELTA: Lagos de Covadonga
The climb up to the famous Covadonga Lakes is revered by Spanish cycling fans as one of the top climbs in La Vuelta.
They'll be out in huge numbers today to cheer on the diminutive Spanish climbers - local hero Juan Jose Cobo will no doubt be at the front of the action as he defends his victory in the 2011 Vuelta.
We'll have our race-viewing point situated close to the super-steep La Huesera section of the climb (15% average for 1km!).
RIDE SUMMARY:
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83 miles
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7,550 ft elev. gain |
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Today's Major Climbs |
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Climb
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Elevation Gain
|
Average Grade |
Length |
Profile |
Difficulty
Index
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Alto del Mazuco |
1,453 ft |
6.2% |
4.5 miles |
|
67 |
Lagos de Covadonga |
3,465 ft |
7.4% |
8.8 miles |
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129 |
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View from the Collado de Llomena
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Day 3
MONDAY › Collada de Llomena
Today's main challenge is the climb to the Collada de Llomena. With an average grade of 9.2% over 5 miles, the Llomena is a really tough climb which has hurt a few legs of previous riders...
But, as you can see from the picture, the views from the top make it all worthwhile. From the Llomena there's a long downhill through some spectacular canyons before we start the climb to the Collado de Moande. From the Moande it's "mostly" downhill to our hotel in Cangas de Onis...
RIDE SUMMARY:
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52 miles
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5,200 ft elev. gain |
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Today's Major Climbs |
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Climb
|
Elevation Gain
|
Average Grade |
Length |
Profile |
Difficulty
Index
|
Collada Llomena |
2,411 ft |
9.2% |
5.0 miles |
|
105 |
Collado de Moande |
1,427 ft |
7.5% |
3.6 miles |
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63 |
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On the Puerto de Panderuedas |
Day 4
TUESDAY › The Picos de Europa
Today we head into the Picos de Europa National Park - one of the remotest wildernesses in western Europe.
The day starts off with the massive 50km gradual climb to the Puerto de Panderuedas in the heart of the Picos de Europa. The views from the Panderuedas are quite spectacular and reminiscent of the Italian Dolomites.
Up next is the 10km Puerto de Pandetrave followed quickly by the short climb up to the Puerto de San Glorio which signals the start of the spectacular 30km descent to our hotel in Potes. Enjoy!
RIDE SUMMARY:
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75 miles
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8,500 ft elev. gain |
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Today's Major Climbs |
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Climb
|
Elevation Gain
|
Average Grade |
Length |
Profile |
Difficulty
Index
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Puerto de Panderruedas |
3,881 ft |
4.0% |
18.5 miles |
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78 |
Puerto de Pandetrave |
2,083 ft |
6.4% |
6.2 miles |
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71 |
Puerto de San Glorio |
1,276 ft |
4.3% |
5.6 miles |
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39 |
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Outside the hotel in Fuente De on our Trans-Cantabria Challenge |
Day 5
WEDNESDAY › LA VUELTA: Fuente De
A really spectacular finish for the Vuelta stage today. The final 25km of the stage features the long climb to Fuente De - a remarkable natural cirque with sheer cliff walls rising 2,500ft above the valley below.
We'll set off in the morning, and for those who feel up for an extra bit of climbing, we'll ride up the 25km Puerto de San Glorio before heading back to Potes and the start of the climb to Fuente De. On arrival in Fuente De, relax in our race-viewing station which will be set up close to the finish line.!
RIDE SUMMARY:
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61 miles
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6,900 ft elev. gain |
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Today's Major Climbs |
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Climb
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Elevation Gain
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Average Grade |
Length |
Profile |
Difficulty
Index
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Puerto de San Glorio |
4,193 ft |
4.8% |
16.6 miles |
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98 |
Alto Fuente De |
2,549 ft |
3.2% |
14.9 miles |
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57 |
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Incredible views from the Collado de Hoz
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Day 6
THURSDAY › Spectacular Collado de Hoz!
Today's ride is just simply spectacular. From the hotel we can enjoy a nice warm-up on the gentle grades of the first of 3 climbs: the Puerto de Piedrasluengas. From the top enjoy the 35 km downhill through the Rio Nansa canyons.
Next up is the Collado Ozalba followed by the Collado de Hoz. The descent from the Collado de Hoz is just fantastic with superb views of the surrounding mountains.
After riding through the canyons and gorges of La Hermida we will loop back to our hotel in Potes.
RIDE SUMMARY:
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71 miles
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7,400 ft elev. gain |
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Today's Major Climbs |
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Climb
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Elevation Gain
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Average Grade |
Length |
Profile |
Difficulty
Index
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Puerto de Piedrasluengas |
3,386 ft |
3.6% |
18.0 miles |
|
63 |
Collado de Ozalba |
1,276 ft |
6.7% |
3.6 miles |
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55 |
Collado de Hoz |
1,444 ft |
6.1% |
4.5 miles |
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57 |
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The Royal Palace in San Ildefonso
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Day 7
FRIDAY › San lIdefonso
Today we leave Cantabria and head south to the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains just north of Madrid.
Our hotel is located in San Ildefonso which sets us up nicely for tomorrow's ascent to the Bola del Mundo summit finish.
After lunch, we'll organise a short ride in the hills around San Ildefonso and Segovia. For those who prefer a more relaxing afternoon, we'll organise a visit to the center of Segovia, famous for it's Roman aqueduct, Alcazar castle and cathedral.
RIDE SUMMARY:
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Optional ride around San Ildefonso
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Mosquera beats Nibali to the finish line - Bola del Mundo 2010
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Day 8
SATURDAY › LA VUELTA: Bola del Mundo
Being the penultimate stage, this will be the last opportunity to win the gold jersey of race leader. The climb is situated just 50km north of Madrid in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains and the "Madrilenos" will be out in huge numbers to cheer on their local favourites.
Our hotel is ideally situated allowing us easy access onto the climb to the Puerto de Navacerrada then onto the narrow road that climbs up to the Bola del Mundo! Our race-viewing station team will be waiting for us close to the summit for another exciting afternoon or LIVE race-viewing
After watching the race, it's all downhill to the hotel - Enjoy!
RIDE SUMMARY:
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41 miles
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4,150 ft elev. gain |
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Today's Major Climbs |
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Climb
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Elevation Gain
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Average Grade |
Length |
Profile |
Difficulty
Index
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Bola del Mundo |
4,429 ft |
6.2% |
13.5 miles |
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136 |
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Peter Sagan takes the final stage win in Madrid in the 2011 Vuelta a Espana
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Day 9
SUNDAY › LA VUELTA: Finish in Madrid
Today we head down to the center of Madrid to catch the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana in the Spanish capital.
We'll have exclusive viewing close to the finish line on the Paseo del Prado with catering and open bar all afternoon. Enjoy the final moments of the 2012 Vuelta a Espana - and the victory celebrations after the finish.
After the festivities, grab a quick siesta back at the hotel as afterwards our Spanish staff will be taking us out for a typical "Madrileno" (late) night out...
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Day 10
MONDAY › Adios!
End of our trip and final transfer to Madrid airport. |
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