Calpe Escape - May 2025

Join the Leadout Events team and ride captains for four days of sunny miles on an amazing choice of routes at the Calpe Rendezvous in the Costa Blanca.  We guarantee some great riding with a relaxed and fun atmosphere. 

Calpe is a top cycling destination known for its wide range of terrain, including flat rolling roads and mountain climbs, and boasts the beauty of variability.  The region is often featured in the Vuelta a España and Calpe has a very cycling friendly culture partly due to its popularity with many pro teams as a training camp destination, as well as the region's challenging terrain, excellent weather conditions, and top-notch facilities. 

With over 12 km of coastline with long beaches and hidden coves, plus many off-bike attractions, including the iconic Peñón de Ifach, a towering limestone rock formation, there is plenty to discover when not riding your bike.  This trip would also suit anyone who would like to bring along their non riding partner.

As well as amazing cycling and coastline, Caple has a beautiful old town with a great selection of restaurants and bars for post-ride ‘recovery  drinks’. 

The group will be looked after by ride captains and can split depending on ability, so everyone is catered for and no one is ever left behind.

We will be staying at the 4* Estimar Calpe Suitopia hotel which is 50m from the beach and 200m from the Old Town.  The hotel offers a Thalassian Spa and Bike Centre with a parking workshop, washing area and laundry facilities, as well as outdoor swimming pools and stunning views of the Sky Lounge Bar. 

Whether you are part of a group, a couple or a solo traveller everyone is welcome and I can guarantee you will have the best time on and off the bike.

What’s included

• 5 nights accommodation at *4 star hotel including breakfast

• 4 days guided routes  with ride captains

• Bike facilities at the hotel, including a bike park, washing area and laundry facilities

• Mechanic and support vehicle

• Welcome drinks on the first night

• Celebration meal on the final night

• Photographer

Optional extras

• Single room supplement

• Bring your non riding partner - it's the perfect place to not ride your bike and relax too!

Not included

• Airport transfers 

• Lunch and coffees on route

• Dinners in the evening are at leisure with the exception of the final night

Prices

• Entry sharing a twin or double room with another rider, £1,195 each

• Entry including single room supplement, £1,595

• Entry sharing a double room with your non riding partner, £1,845

Itinerary

The format is a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, aiming to depart at approx 09:00.  The rides will include a lunch and coffee stop.  Depending on the distance each day, the plan is for everyone to get some time in the afternoon to relax before dinner at leisure in the evenings.   

• Friday 2 May 2025 - Arrival day. Evening welcome drinks.

• Saturday 3 May 2025 - Ride, including lunch and coffee stops.

• Sunday 4 May 2025 - Ride, including lunch and coffee stops.

• Monday 5 May 2025 - Ride, including lunch and coffee stops.

• Tuesday 6 May 2025 - Ride, including lunch and coffee stops.  Celebration dinner.

• Wednesday 7 May 2025 - Home.

Routes

We have a wide selection of fantastic routes to choose from.  Some examples of what to expect.  

https://www.strava.com/routes/3227714146919520994

Gata de Gorges 63km / 831m

A rolling start along the coast road to Moraira for about 10 km before heading inland and climbing up to Benitachell and Teulada. From here we take the beautiful and scenic route to Liber.

The route turns south through Benissa before the fast flowing descent back to the coast and Calpe

https://www.strava.com/activities/11232444942

La Vuelta Costa Blanca Bernia Loop 71km / 1104m

A classic Costa Blanca route, we roll along the coast toward Moraira before heading left up the famous La Fustera climb, which has been described as the Poggio of the Costa Blanca.  With 2.5km done, this is a good warm up for the day ahead.  We then roll through Benissa along the valley road out to Xalo, where we can stop for a coffee before we attempt the Bernia climb - another one of the local iconic climbs. The Bernia climb is 8km, but the locals consider it as two 4km climbs as there is a little bit of rest bite, not just a false flat but actually a downhill in the middle.  We climb up to the Bernia then enjoy the long descent back down via Los Pinos back into Benissa.  Stopping off for refreshments  on the way back or head back to the coast in Calpe for post ride refreshments and relaxation.

https://www.strava.com/routes/3229703494664331746

Col de Rates 72km / 1241m

A classic loop from Calpe, we take the long climb towards Xalo with views back to the iconic Ifac rock.  With legs loosened and warmed up the route takes us through Alcalali where we turn onto the most well known climb in the area, the Col de Rates. At just under 10km and average gradient of 6.7% it is the testing ground of the world's best riders. Beautiful views reward and distract you in equal measure.

The loop drops back down though Callosa and then to the coast at Altea before the rolling roads back to Calpe.

https://www.strava.com/routes/3226630059165761872

Benissa and Tarbena 93km / 1535m

A short warm up along the coast before tackling the climb of Benissa (La Fustera) and dropping down to Xalo.   Coffee in Alcalali before heading along the Castells river to our lunch in Castell de Castells. Descending to Tarbena we turn left and enjoy the Col De Rates descent back to Parcent. This route finishes with the fast descent into Calpe from Xalo and only a few little kickers before we are back.

FAQ

• What is the weather like in May?  Calpe has a Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine each year. The average daily maximum in May is 25 C and the average daily minimum is 16 C. 

• How do I get there? There are regular flights from most UK airports to Alicante.  Alicante is approx 64km from Calpe.

• How do I get from the airport to Calpe? Transfers from Alicante airport to Calpe is approx 1.15hrs and we recommend Beniconnect https://www.beniconnect.com who can offer private or group transfers.  More information here https://www.beniconnect.com/en/airport-private-transfer/alicante-airport-alc/calpe/

• Can I hire a bike? We have teamed up with Top Bike Rental in Altia. Book your bike rental online and they will drop the bike at the hotel for you. Patrick and his team at Altia come highly recommended and have an excellent selection of Pinarellos https://www.topbikesrental.com/en/ 

• What is included for my non-riding partner? 

  • 5 nights accommodation at *4 star hotel including breakfast

  • Welcome drinks on the first night

  • Celebration meal on the final night

• What is there to do for my non-riding partner?

  • Relax!  The hotel offers an outdoor pool, Thalassian Spa and Wellness Centre. 

  • Beaches and coves

  • Discover the many local archaeological sites

  • Hike to the top of the iconic Peñón de Ifach

  • Wonder through the old town and discover the Roman cathedrals, colourful mosaic murals, and cobblestone alleyways. 

  • Once a prominent fishing village in Costa Blanca, Calpe is teeming with beachside cafés and restaurants that specialise in Mediterranean seafood. 

• What support is there?

We will have a mechanic and support van with us each day, to deal with any mechanicals and also carry supplies and day bags. 

We will also have friendly ride captains who will act as navigators, pace makers, motivators and are known to always be on hand to offer a gentle push if needed.  

Jane from Leadout Events will also be on hand for all and any on or off bike requirements you may have.