The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Sunny Costa Blanca 2025: Valencia to Alicante

May 10th to May 23rd

Ride Director: Bridgette Martinez
Ride Co-Director: Ramona Turner
Ride Driver: Jose Martinez
Report by: Mark Miller

The Costa Blanca, a sun-washed stretch of coastline along southeastern Spain, offers more than picturesque beaches and Mediterranean charm. It is a region layered with history, where ancient civilizations have left their mark on the land and culture. Human habitation predates written history here, and since the Moorish invasion in 711 AD, numerous cultures have influenced this area. The name Costa Blanca itself is a relatively recent addition—coined in a 1957 British airline advertisement to promote flights to Valencia. It was in Valencia, the capital of the province, that our tour began.

Our first night was spent in Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. It was a center of silk trading in the 14th century and is the birthplace of paella. It’s a vibrant city with many historical sites and modern attractions.

Leaving Valencia, our tour was designed around a hub-and-spoke model, with transition riding days between our “hub” cities of Carcaixcent, Denia, Calpe and Alicante and multiple route choices from each location. This provided us the flexibility to choose routes aligned with individual preferences and allowed for exploration of diverse landscapes, towns, and historic sites throughout the region. Our time in Carcaixent allowed us to explore the inland areas toward Xativa, the first of many opportunities to ride through towns dating back to Medieval times and to see the Valencian agricultural lands. It also presented us with the only wet riding day of the tour.  Author on the far left.

Riding next into Alicante Province to Denia, the weather got warmer. Our stay in Denia provided the opportunity to ride numerous routes inland and along the coast.  Climbers rode from the coast into the western mountain ranges, climbing La Vall d’Ebo (1,770 feet), the Coll de Rates (2,060 feet) and Sa Creueta - the tour's highest climb at 2,562 feet. The wildflowers in the high elevation fields were blooming and the scenery was spectacular!  Other routes went along the coast that gave views of the Mediterranean coastline from Cap de Sant Antoni, Cap Negre and Cap de la Nau, down to the beaches of Xabia. A tapas dinner in Denia’s historic quarter culminated our stay.

The terrain shifted as we entered Calpe, with its dramatic limestone outcrop Penyal d’Ifac rising above the port (at right).  The contrast between working ports and the tourism industry in this region was evident.  Route options took us inland to experience the areas of Xalo and Benissa, with olive groves and many small, ancient towns.  Some took the opportunity for a "free" day—wandering beaches and exploring the port. The stay was capped by sunset cruise on Calpe harbor.

Our final base was Alicante. While riding through the bustling tourist hub of Benidorm showcased the area’s popularity, beachfront communities further south were quieter and offered an intimate view of local life.  Alicante, while a tourist destination, moves at a slower pace and quickly became a favorite. The rides here provided vistas of the ocean, the quaint beach towns and easy riding as we closed out the tour.

A notable cultural highlight while in Alicante was a group excursion by bus to Murcia, a city founded in 825 AD. We enjoyed a guided morning walking tour through its historic center, followed by free time in the afternoon to explore its architectural beauty and unique atmosphere.

This tour was led by Bridgette Martinez and Ramona Turner (at left), with logistical support from Jose Martinez. Their thorough communication and attention to detail allowed participants to focus fully on the riding, cultural immersion, and personal enjoyment.