Road Biking / Cycling

The location of Hike and Bike Spain provides the perfect base for road bikers, either for training or centre based touring. Hike and Bike have fantastic roads to test any cyclist whatever their ability; take on the climbs or take it easy on the flat. The uninterrupted, traffic free roads are of good quality and there is a choice of coastal, hilly and even mountainous rides, with some roads going to 1,200 metres. The terrain allows you to train in conditions that no other European based training camp possesses. Climbs up to 24km are all within reach of the base in La Azohia.

The roads are quieter than anywhere in Europe; the weather is better year round than any other training camp, the locals are friendly and cyclist aware. No wonder T-Mobile have used Murcia as a winter training camp for many years and Alejandro Valverde uses his local roads in Murcia to be one of the top riders on the Pro Tour!

A friendly family run atmosphere is central to the back-up service offered by Hike and Bike. Transfers are swift to and from the local airport, accommodation is first class with all facilities including satellite TV and air-conditioning in most apartments. The location and accommodation are quiet and allow the keen cyclist to incorporate the family into the training camp environment. Local beaches are excellent, on site swimming pools are free and super market runs can be arranged.

Click on the Enquiries page to find out what Hike and Bike can do for you, we are happy to create a customised biking holiday for you, running for as many days as you require. Prices cannot be beaten, we offer discounts for parties of 4 or more.

Included in your cycling break:

• Beautiful 2 and 3 bedroom apartments; all of which are close to the communal pools and a 5 minute walk to the beautiful beaches (see accommodation page for details).
• Sky TV and Air-conditioning (in most apartments)
• Airport collection and drop-off in our 9-seater minibus.
• Supermarket stop-off on the way to your apartment to stock up on provisions.
• Maps and routes provided
• Safe bike storage.
• Emergency back-up in case of breakdown.
• Bar/restaurant on the development open all day can provide packed lunches for your days cycling
• Beautiful 2 and 3 bedroom apartments; all of which are close to the communal pools and a 5 minute walk to the beautiful beaches (see accommodation page for details).

Mountain Biking

This is an ideal place for mountain bike holidays. The guide we use is John Hearns who is a fully qualified First Aider. Living here, he knows the huge variety of tracks and trails in the local area. The riding terrain varies, some are rocky coastal routes and some are open mountainous terrain.

For the experienced rider the range of difficulty will allow you to take yourself to your riding limits. For those with less experience or looking for family type rides we can arrange gentle trails around the local beaches or short routes in the valleys, all of which offer amazing scenery. The Sierra Espuñas offer an excellent variety of both single track and wide forest trails.

Testimonials:

	The coastal roads around La Azohia and Mazarron are an ideal way to gently warm up for a long day of testing cycling on extremely quiet roads. The initial 45 minutes allowed us to quickly warm up and be ready for the many Sierras that frequent the coastline around Murcia. The terrain allows cyclists to of any ability to to test their condition, the roads around Totana and Alahama are as tough in both incline and length as any roads in the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Massive Central. The 1583m climb up to the summit of the Espuna is firstly a breath-taking site, pine trees line the ascent from the valley. The road is absolutely brand new and a pleasure to ride on and lastly, there is no traffic! The climb is an absolute leg breaker and can take anywhere between an hour and 20 minutes to 2 hours to ascend, but once you get to the viewing platform at the top the hardship is worth it- breathtaking! The descents are fast but very safe as the road surfaces are good and there is little complication from traffic. The whole area of Murcia lends itself perfectly to any form of cycling; if you are looking for tough hills to climb, it has those a plenty, if you are looking for quiet rolling roads it has those too. If you are looking to prepare for an event it has the ideal climate year round to assist with your preparation. If you are looking for a quiet break to ride and visit small, friendly Spanish villages it has that too. Murcia understands cycling, that's why Alejandro Valverde the UCI number 1 rider in 2006 uses this very area to train and perfect his skills. The weather is perfect all year round and more reliable than the weather at training camps in Majorca. "Better climbs than the Pyrenees, quieter roads than Majorca. Fabulous weather, first-class back up and accomodation. In a word, the best place to train in Europe for any cyclist! - Mark Tilley (Yorkshire Road Club) - Cycling in Murcia, February 2007
	Today we rode 95 miles on mostly quiet, traffic-free back roads through a variety of terrain, ideal for training. We jacked along winding, undulating coastal roads with surprise vistas over natural bays and beaches before turning inland and off onto a deathly quiet backroad. Passing the odd villa, outpost and tropical tree we ascended gradually into the Sierra del Alhama, a local mountain range with stunning views out towards the town of Lorca and the Sierra Espuna National Park over agricaulural plains. After a breathtaking descent we took turns on the front, on roads you could time traffic gaps in minutes, stopping off at a local store to replenish water supplies under a cloudless sky. We eyed the ever nearing fort atop a manual rock outcrop above Lorca before turning off towards Mazarron, ambushing and winding agricultural vehicles on the way back. We decided to skirt around Mazarron , stopping in Isla Plana at a tea shop with more cakes than you could threaten with a f ! Opting for a hard days training we bypassed our apartment for a hillier ascent of the Sierra de la Muela. With a 10km plus climb winding around a rocky mass with sneaky blue glimpses across el mar and sharp increases in grade. This is not to be scoffed at but the panoramic outpost of the local coastline (La Costa) is well worth the effort. Luckily, the ample comfort of our apartment is only at fast descent away and we finished our day soaking up the last of the sun with idle banter on the patio with the pool beckoning, but not tepting enough!" "Better climbs than the Pyrenees, quieter roads than Majorca. Fabulous weather, first-class back up and accomodation. In a word, the best place to train in Europe for any cyclist!" - Graham Crabtree (Yorkshire Rider Club) - Cycling in Murcia, February 2007

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