The Andalucia Bike Race

This is a challenging six-day stage race, off road, through some of Spain’s most beautiful mountains. Each day consists of between 50km and 80km of mountain biking, and is hailed as a race for single-track fans. Some people are there to earn UCI world ranking points, but others are there to complete a challenge. You must ride in pairs, but teams can be single-sex or mixed.

Day one was a flurry of excitement and nerves. Hundreds of riders gathered at a startline littered with flags, banners and gazebos. Photographers were everywhere. There was even a miniature helicopter camera, which captured footage for the regional news each day. It felt like rather a big deal.

The day was hot and skies were blue. The trails in Jaén were typically dry and dusty. Climbs were long and steep, but not technical. Descents weaved through pine forest and olive trees plantations with the odd drop-off to keep your attention.

Stage two was also in Jaén, but couldn’t have been more different. This was largely due to a heavy downpour of rain at the start of the day, which turned the dusty trails to yellow, sticky mud. The big climb of the day took us over a snow-covered mountaintop where temperatures really dropped, and then so did we; down the most exhillerating descent I’ve ever ridden. Switch-back turns, with slippery mud, rocks and roots kept me on my toes. We gratefully returned to a warm valley covered from head to toe in mud and looking like we were made of clay, but with very large grins on our faces.

Day three started and finished in Andujar, where the trails were very natural and varied. We made short stints on roads, through rooty woods, rocky gullies and just about every type of terrain you could dream up. It felt like a real adventure; tearing through back-alleys and popping off the edges of roads down secluded water shoots. This was the day I started to find my rhythm and really start to enjoy the ride they’d laid out for us.

Day four took us to Cordoba, where we would stay for day five and day six. The sun was shining and our mass-startline was heaving with enthusiasm. Locals had lined the streets to cheer us on and the atmosphere was fantastic. We were treated to some serious trails with rocks and boulders to ride over. There was even a descent that appeared to be made out of crazy-paving slabs. We joined a queue to tip-toe over some stepping stones at the first stream crossing, but after splashing through half a dozen streams later on in the day, we gave up trying to stay dry and ended up wading through a river waist-deep.

Day five was much of the same, and I was starting to get the hang of mountain riding, overtaking European men downhill after they had previously passed me on the climbs. We were directed up some extremely rocky climbs. Ascents that I could just about conquer when feeling fresh. Many riders walked these sections. Pride was set aside in favour of the overall challenge, and everyone was very polite and encouraging along the way. No mater what country or category you resided in, everyone wanted to say hello. Locals lined some of the tricky sections to help you carry your bike and push you over the rough stuff. I’ve never raced with such friendly people before and, if the singletrack wasn’t enough to make me want to come back, then the people might be.

Day six was of course the finale. We were treated to the usual lengthy mountain climbs, dusty singletrack and rocky descents. Some of the trails were on pure rock, some simply weaved through spikey bushes with a grand view in the distance. Towards the end, we were even taken across a couple of kilometres of disused railways track. The bumps were energy-sapping, but oddly fun.

The final day ended and we all regrouped for an after-party. The week was possibly the most tiring challenge I’d ever embarked on. A late start at 10am each day meant that we often finished after 5pm and never really had much time to eat and sleep amidst preparing the bike and washing our kit each night. Plus, travelling to three different locations throughout the week wasn’t ideal for recovery, nor was the poor provision of food at the finishline. The finish arenas were always located in the outback, and allocated hotels were self-catering, so finding alternative food solutions was not easy.

That being said, it was frankly some of the best riding I’ve ever encountered, and I would definitely consider returning for 2015, however, this time, I would be more inclined to book a self-catered chalet to share with friends and turn up a day early to built bikes and do some food shopping.

Go to www.andaluciabikerace.com for more information. The next race is due February 2015.