The Alton Cycling Club’s annual spring pilgrimage took a small group of members to the sun-drenched roads of Denia, Spain, from March 29th to April 5th, 2025. This highly-anticipated trip promised a week of challenging rides, stunning Mediterranean vistas, and camaraderie. In total, the group covered in excess of 400km of riding with 5000m of elevation over the 6 days of riding.

Denia: A Cyclist’s Paradise

Denia’s reputation as a top cycling destination is well-earned. The area provides:

  • Varied Terrain: The riders enjoyed a mix of coastal plains and demanding climbs, including the famous Coll de Rates, allowing cyclists of all abilities to find their rhythm.
  • Ideal Conditions: The spring climate in Denia offers perfect cycling weather, with warm, sunny days and gentle breezes – although the club encountered some strong coastal wind son the last day on the back of Storm Nuria.
  • Pro-Level Routes: The club members rode on roads frequently used by professional cycling teams, adding an extra layer of interest to the experience.

Logistics and Planning:

  • Planned itinerary: The club’s website was loaded with a trip-specific page which provided route summaries and an itinerary for the entire trip and used the “Ride with GPS” route collection created by Paul and Guy.
  • Base of operations: The club stayed at the Hotel Noguera Mar, providing comfortable accommodation and a convenient starting point for each day’s rides.  The hotel is located on the beachfront (only Mark was brave enough to test the waters for a swim) and offers bed, breakfast and dinner.  It has a large, secure bike store on site with a good selection of tools and a track pump.
  • Travel details: The club used EasyJet flights and subsequent contracted bus transfers to and from Alicante airport, to the Hotel Noguera Mar.
  • Social element: Beyond the cycling, the trip provided ample opportunity for members to socialise and bond, strengthening the club’s community.

Post-Trip Reflections:

  • Ideal for mid-paced riders: The trip’s routes were well-suited for mid-paced riders seeking to tackle significant distance and elevation, plus the mix of coastal roads and climbs, including the iconic Coll de Rates, provided a satisfying challenge.
  • Hotel location: Whilst the Hotel Noguera Mar provided a perfect location from a cycling perspective, most members felt it would have been an added bonus to have been located closer to Denia itself to access the charms and convenience of the beautiful old town.
  • Ride preferences: The trip catered for medium pace rides of between 70 and 115km, but some members expressed a desire for longer ride options, potentially with split groups to accommodate varying abilities.
  • Bike hire: The bike hire service was generally adequate, but one member experienced minor challenges with bike setup and maintenance.

Timing of trip: Based on weather observations, the club could consider a future trip to the region earlier in the spring season.

Conclusion

Denia’s combination of challenging routes, beautiful scenery, and a vibrant cycling culture made it an ideal destination for Alton Cycling Club. The area’s popularity among professional cyclists further enhances its appeal, creating a truly memorable experience.

The Alton Cycling Club’s 2025 spring trip to Denia was a great success, leaving members with lasting memories and passion for the sport whilst providing food for thought regarding future trips.  A big thank you goes to Mark Stevenson for organising this trip!