FURTHER TRAVEL INFORMATION
Choosing the Right Holiday
At CycleActive we carefully grade our trips to a required level of fitness and, for a required level of mountain biking skill. We also offer personal advice to anyone who needs it, by email or on the phone, thus ensure that you find a holiday suitable for your abilities and desires.
Fitness grade 3. Good fitness from regular exercise sessions and time spent actively involved in cycling. Can ride full days in any terrain at a steady pace.
Skill grade C. Can ride over most normal terrain including steep, rough, narrow tracks with tree roots and other small obstacles forming part of the normal ride. Confident on all man-made singletrack trails and will be able to ride most small drops/step-downs or other technical trail features.
Geography and Climate
This tour is based in the Marina Alta Mountains, which are on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The mountains are little known and as a whole are very untouristed. The villages are still quite traditional, with good local bars, shops and cafes in the village where we stay. This region enjoys a good climate almost all year as the region is located on the east coast of Spain it guarantees sunny, warm weather for most of the year. Our Pension in Castell de Castells We stay in the "Pension Castells", a 200 year old renovated guest house in the heart of the village. With comfortable twin or double bedded en-suite rooms, superb meals each night (with a good supply
of local wine, straight from the barrel!) and its rooftop terrace overlooking the village streets and mountains beyond, this is the perfect place to be based.
Cycling Support
While cycling in Spain you need to be able to carry your own basic provisions and tools, as the vehicle cannot follow us during the rides. Our leaders carry a good toolkit and will help to fix most bike problems, and if the problem is too serious we are usually not far from assistance or a road. Our vehicles will be permanently based at the Pension, should anyone need to be collected from a distant valley due to a medical or technical problem. Note that while we do have a well-equipped workshop, we cannot guarantee to be equipped for all repairs and there are no bike shops nearby, so you must ensure that your bike is in good working order before coming on the tour.
Cycle Hire
If you want to use your own bike it is usually easy to find flights which are suitable and we will send you our guideline packing instructions. If you prefer to rent one for the trip we offer excellent bikes from DMR, Trek and Kona. Please call us to discuss bike hire so that we can find what's best for you.
Flights and Transfers
We can book your flight through an ATOL bonded agent and you will have a separate contract for your flight with them. Alternatively, you can book your own flights through Easyjet, BMI, Monarch or Thomson who cover most regional UK airports. With a transfer time of around 2 hours from the airport to guesthouse, we can only make one journey on arrival day and departure day. This is usually time to fit in with flights arriving mid to late afternoon and departing at a similar time. If you wish to arrive early you may be able to take a taxi to a beachside bar or just relax at the café in Alicante airport. If you need to arrive late please let us know so we can organise a taxi for you at an additional cost. On departure day you will need to reserve an extra transfer with us if you intend to fly home earlier than the afternoon transfer allows – please check availability and prices before booking your flights.
Passports and Visas
For entry into Spain, UK citizens need a full passport, but a visa is not required.
Clothing and Equipment
On booking, a detailed list of useful and essential items will be sent to you. You must bring your own cycle helmet that must be worn for all cycle rides.
