Venturing off the beaten path, this trip will explore the northern coast of this historical and diverse country. The first part of our stay will be in one of the most historic towns, Santillana del Mar, a medieval village with fortified palaces, stone walls, and cobbled streets that today offer a romantic and inviting glimpse into life hundreds of years past. The second part of our journey will take us in to the rural mountains of Picos de Europa with stunning landscapes and blue skies so vibrant that at times you'll question whether you are looking out a window or at a spectacular painting.
Be sure to watch Stage 18 of this years Vuelta Espana on Sept. 7 as they will be riding many of the routes we will be covering.
Be sure to watch Stage 18 of this years Vuelta Espana on Sept. 7 as they will be riding many of the routes we will be covering.
Details: Cycling Centre staff will greet you with a smile and a snack at the Bilbao airport upon your arrival. It is a 90 minute drive to the hotel Paradores Gil Bas, a palace located in the centre of the historical town of Santillana del Mar. Built between the XIV and XVIII centuries, this medieval village is a living museum with cobbled streets, flowers cascading over window boxes, and historical buidlings.
You can check in and rest, enjoying the peace of this tranquil town from the comfort of your room, or relax with a cocktail (gin is a specialty) in the charming courtyard, while staff assemble your bikes. Depending on arrival times, we will go for an easy spin in the afternoon to Suances, a beach town that includes a nice bike path meandering along the shores of Biscay Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. Our evening will conclude with a group dinner at our hotel.
You can check in and rest, enjoying the peace of this tranquil town from the comfort of your room, or relax with a cocktail (gin is a specialty) in the charming courtyard, while staff assemble your bikes. Depending on arrival times, we will go for an easy spin in the afternoon to Suances, a beach town that includes a nice bike path meandering along the shores of Biscay Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. Our evening will conclude with a group dinner at our hotel.
Ride Description: The first part of our ride will parallel the shores of the Bay of Biscay as we roll through the fishing villages of Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera (video) before heading inland in to the foothills. The route involves ups and downs and is full of rewards in the form of ocean and landscape views, quiet twisting roads, and small villages. Those looking for more of a challenge can tackle the climb up to the El Soplao Caves.
* 55 to 100 km (elevation gain 800 to 1,000 m)
Details: Off the bike activities include exploring the El Soplao Caves, enjoying a rest and people watching in the town square of Comillas, and/or exploring the nooks and crannies of Santillana del Mar. Dinner will be at a local restaurant, walking distance from our hotel.
* 55 to 100 km (elevation gain 800 to 1,000 m)
Details: Off the bike activities include exploring the El Soplao Caves, enjoying a rest and people watching in the town square of Comillas, and/or exploring the nooks and crannies of Santillana del Mar. Dinner will be at a local restaurant, walking distance from our hotel.
Ride Description: We will venture back up in to the foothills of Cantabria today and meander through small villages, farms, and quaint locales such as Carmona, with cobbled streets and cascading window baskets. The landscape and skies change around each corner of this route, leading to new discoveries.
* 50 to 110 km (elevation gain up to 1,500 m)
Details: Off the bike activities include relaxing at the beach, golfing, or visiting the Santillana del Mar zoo. Dinner will be at a local restaurant, walking distance from our hotel.
* 50 to 110 km (elevation gain up to 1,500 m)
Details: Off the bike activities include relaxing at the beach, golfing, or visiting the Santillana del Mar zoo. Dinner will be at a local restaurant, walking distance from our hotel.
Ride Description: This may be the most unique ride of the week as we step in and out of Asturias and Cantabria. Colombres, with it's colourful mansions, will take us in to a different time in history with their colonial architecture before we begin our adventure through a grotto that not to long ago was impassable on wheels. The route is relatively flat, though riders looking for more of a challenge can ride up to Bejes, a 5 km ascent and/or venture to the end of the road at Fuente De.
- * 98 to 126 km (elevation gain 1,100 to 2,000 m). Shorter options available too.
Ride Description: Today's ride will involve climbs that reward the riders with views of valleys, mountains, and foothills. The landscape is quite different from the first half of our week and the colours will change from greens to oranges as we venture through a diverse and beautiful countryside. The entire loop is 132 km, riders wishing to do shorter options will be driven ahead on the route to complete their desired distance for the day.
* 50 to 132 km (elevation gain up to 2,200 m).
Details: Afternoon activities include exploring the village of Potes, or relaxing on the stunning and peaceful grounds of our hotel in Cosgaya; listening to the rhythmic sounds of the passing creek while enjoying a cocktail on the stone patio or floating in the beautiful blue pool.
* 50 to 132 km (elevation gain up to 2,200 m).
Details: Afternoon activities include exploring the village of Potes, or relaxing on the stunning and peaceful grounds of our hotel in Cosgaya; listening to the rhythmic sounds of the passing creek while enjoying a cocktail on the stone patio or floating in the beautiful blue pool.
Ride Description: We will ride from Cantabria back in to Asturias and tackle the epic climb up to Lagos de Covadonga (video), a popular Vuelta a Espana mountain finish at 12.6 km and an average grade of 7.3%, though the pitch increases to 15% at spots. There are many ride options today, including stopping and exploring the imposing Basilica whose bells can be heard echoing in the hills. If you want time off the bike today, there are many hiking paths around the lakes at the top of the climb and up the peaks. The ride is from the hotel to Lagos de Covadonga, 75 km one way; riders wishing to go longer can ride part or all of the way back to the hotel.
* 75 km or more (elevation gain 2,100 m)
Details: We will enjoy a celebratory snack and beverage at the end of the ride before loading people and bikes in to the vans and returning to our hotel for dinner.
* 75 km or more (elevation gain 2,100 m)
Details: We will enjoy a celebratory snack and beverage at the end of the ride before loading people and bikes in to the vans and returning to our hotel for dinner.
Ride Description: There are many options available today, including a cable car ride and hike in Fuente De, fishing, exploring Potes, or venturing on an epic bike ride to finish off the week. The route is a loop of 203 km, though people wishing to do something shorter will be driven ahead to start their ride at their desired distance. There are some epic views on this ride with small churches and farms, jagged rocks and water dams, majestic mountains and blue skies.
* 203 km or less (elevation gain up to 2,500 m).
Details: Our final dinner will be at our hotel as we celebrate our highlights, achievements, and new friendships.
* 203 km or less (elevation gain up to 2,500 m).
Details: Our final dinner will be at our hotel as we celebrate our highlights, achievements, and new friendships.
DAY EIGHT: DEPARTURE
Bikes will have been packed up by Cycling Centre staff the night before and after goodbye hugs we will load in to the shuttles for travel back to Bilbao.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
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FEES IN CANADIAN
*HST (13%) and airfare are not included in the above prices |