There’s something about the Costa Blanca that draws cyclists back year after year. Maybe it’s the endless ribbon of tarmac that clings to the coastline, or the way the mountains rise sharply from the sea, offering climbs that test your legs and descents that reward your nerve. Or maybe it’s the simple rhythm of it all; ride, refuel, recover, repeat, all shared with a group that quickly feels more like a team than a collection of individuals.
Our latest ClubRideFire trip to Calpe and Altea delivered all of that, and more.
The Setting
We based ourselves in a luxury villa overlooking the Mediterranean, the kind of place where mornings start with soft light spilling over the water and evenings end with tired legs and full plates around a long table. Ten riders, one support car, and a professional photographer capturing every moment… this wasn’t just a trip, it was a fully immersive cycling experience.
From the villa, the roads unfolded in every direction. Coastal spins, inland climbs, technical descents; it was all within reach. Every day presented a new route, a new challenge, and a new story.
The Ride Experience
Rolling out along the coast from Altea, the pace was smooth but purposeful. The group naturally formed into a rhythm, each rider finding their place, the hum of freewheels and the occasional surge keeping things alive. Coffee stops became part of the ritual; sea views, strong cortado, and that quiet satisfaction of knowing you’ve already earned it.
Cafe 53:11 quickly became a favourite. Not just for the coffee, but for the atmosphere, a meeting point for cyclists from all over the world, each chasing their own version of performance and progress.
From the coast, the terrain changes quickly. The road tilts upwards, and the real work begins.
The Climbs
Finestrat hits hard. It’s the kind of climb that doesn’t ease you in, it demands effort from the first pedal stroke. The group stretched out here, each rider settling into their own tempo, chasing power numbers, heart rate zones, or simply the rider ahead.
Guadalest, by contrast, is a masterpiece. A longer, more flowing ascent that winds its way through breathtaking scenery. Climbing here feels almost meditative; steady gradients, smooth tarmac, and views that make you forget the effort, at least for a moment.
Then there’s Pinos. A climb that tests both strength and resilience. By this point in the week, fatigue had started to creep in, but so had fitness. What felt hard on day one now felt manageable. That’s the magic of a focused training block – you adapt, you improve, you push further.
The Descents
What goes up must come down, and in this region, the descents are just as memorable as the climbs.
Fast, technical, and perfectly surfaced, they demand attention and reward confidence. This is where skill meets instinct. Lines matter. Braking points matter. Trust in your equipment matters.
And when it all comes together, it’s pure flow.
Equipment That Delivers
Throughout the week, we were riding the all-new Ignite RF/I.04, a bike built for exactly this kind of terrain. Responsive on the climbs, stable on the descents, and fast everywhere in between. It became an extension of the rider, allowing you to focus on the effort and the experience rather than the machine beneath you.
The Scia Cycling capsule collection brought both performance and style into play. Lightweight, breathable, and designed for long days in the saddle, it handled everything from cool morning starts to warm afternoon efforts.
And then there were the wheels. The ST and DP wheelsets from Major Wheels proved their worth on every climb and descent. Efficient under power, predictable at speed, they gave you the confidence to push harder, descend faster, and ride longer.
Support and Structure
Behind every great ride was the support car, always there when needed, stocked with nutrition, spare equipment, and encouragement. It meant riders could push their limits without worrying about the “what ifs.”
The presence of a professional photographer added another dimension. Not just capturing the big moments; the summit shots, the group rides, but also the small ones: the effort, the focus, the camaraderie. The kind of images that tell the real story.
Off the Bike
Recovery was just as important as the riding. Evenings were spent in authentic Spanish restaurants, sharing food, stories, and plenty of laughter. Plates of fresh seafood, local dishes, and the occasional well-earned beer.
Back at the villa, the conversations continued. Routes were analysed, efforts compared, plans made for the next day. It’s in these moments that the group dynamic really comes alive.
Camaraderie and Progress
What stood out most wasn’t just the riding or the scenery, it was the sense of progression and connection.
Over the course of the week, everyone improved. Stronger on the climbs, smoother on the descents, more confident in the group. But just as importantly, the group itself grew tighter. Shared effort has a way of doing that.
There’s something powerful about training in an environment like this. You’re removed from the distractions of everyday life, surrounded by like-minded people, and focused on a common goal: to ride better, push harder, and enjoy every moment of it.
The Takeaway
Cycling in Calpe and Altea isn’t just about ticking off famous climbs or chasing performance metrics. It’s about the full experience; the roads, the scenery, the equipment, the people.
It’s about early mornings, hard efforts, fast descents, and long lunches. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of when everything aligns.
And most of all, it’s about the simple joy of riding your bike in one of the best cycling destinations in the world.
ClubRideFire delivered exactly that. See you on the next one.
