Day 1. Mon 04 September 2023 – Mountains of Madrid (Valladolid)

 

70 km / 45 miles
Meet at our centrally located hotel in Madrid at 10:00am (option to book the same hotel the night before – please ask). Say hola to the crew and other guests before an informal welcome meeting and bike set up.

 

We then take a short van transfer out of the busy capital and head into the mountains behind Madrid. Today is a rest day for La Vuelta and so on our way to meet the race we have decided to ride a famous climb that La Vuelta often features, the classic category 1 Navacerrada (slowly as it’s a warm-up!). At 12km long, the climb averages 6% making the ascent ride-able at your own speed. Enjoy the views as we ride to the ski station at the top, before descending the other side. This mountain top finish was the penultimate stage of La Vuelta last year where Carapaz won the stage, and Remco Evenepoel sealed his overall victory. Although it is probably best remembered when Tom Domoulin cracked and Fabio Aru produced a masterclass in climbing to win La Vuelta in 2015.

 

After a quick post ride tapas and drink, we take the 1.5 hour transfer onwards to our destination of Valladolid to be ready for the Time Trial tomorrow. Our 4 star hotel for tonight is located near to the town centre to take a stroll. Enjoy a group welcome dinner together.

Day 2. 05 September – Time Trial VIP Experience (Valladolid)

up to 70 km / 43 miles

After a filling buffet breakfast, we head out from the hotel and ride a loop from Valladolid to see some of the area. However soon we are back in the centre to experience our first taste of La Vuelta.

 

What we have lined up is the chance to ride the stage 10 individual time trail route, a few hours before the professionals. A very special feeling, to ride the roads with the crowds gathering with our very own support car. From the start ramp to the finish line in the city, the 25km is relatively flat bar one climb near the beginning. An amazing Grand Tour experience.

 

Having ridden the route, we will get ready to see the pros next. Enjoy some time at the start area, seeing the technical preparation that goes into the TT set up. And then, we will enjoy seeing the riders cross the line at tremendous speed in the VIP zone.

 

Enjoy an evening out in Valladolid, sampling some of the good tapas bars or restaurants in the historic centre near to the cathedral.

 

Just because you are on a bike trip doesn’t mean you have to suffer off the bikes too!  We take this into mind on our Vuelta Bike Tour and have lined up some great hotels for this tour.

Enjoy 4 star hotels all the way, including some nights with the teams. Stay at a luxury parador hotel in Soria, high in the hills overlooking the town. Enjoy the incredibly located Imperial Hotel beside the river and near to the pilgrimage sanctuary in Lourdes, France. Top accommodation for a great event.

“Cycling Country’s 2019 Last Week to Madrid tour was the trip of a lifetime for my wife and me.
We are not cyclists ourselves but fell in love with the sport from watching the Tour de France on TV starting 20 years ago. For years we talked about attending a grand tour in person, and last year we finally did. We chose Cycling Country’s Vuelta because their promotional material sounded good, the price was reasonable, and my email correspondence with CC’s Maggi was always helpful and thoroughly delightful. CC promised VIP access and, if anything, they understated the case. Two examples: At the start of one day’s race, we stood at the back of the stage while the riders signed in. At the finish of another, we stood directly next to the TV camera at the finish line. Every day, we rode in one of the support vans while the other members of the group were riding the race route, so we got to know the fabulous staff- Geoff, Javier and Dean. They were consummate group leaders, always making sure we and the riders (and their bikes) were well taken care of. Our accommodations were incredible- centuries-old castles that had been converted to luxury hotels- and the food was fantastic. If you love cycling, or even if you just love to watch, you will love going on a Cycling Country tour. 💙❤️🖤💛💚.”
J. & L. Hickman, Minnesota, USA – La Vuelta Sept 2019 – Week 3 to Madrid

“Hi Geoff and Maggi
We just wanted to say a huge thank you for the fabulous three weeks we had with you both, Javi and Dean.
Looking back on the photos we packed so much into those three weeks. We love Spain and love seeing it on a bike with you. You run your business extremely professionally yet we all get very personal attention.
Thanks once again.”
J & T. De Vries & C. Lazenby, Vic, Australia – La Vuelta 2019 – All Three Tours!

“Thanks so much for an excellent trip. It was all (and more) that I had hoped for. Geoff you are an excellent guide – very helpful and great at managing expectations. I would be pleased to help you spread the word about your company and the excellent experience you provide. Thanks again – it was fabulous!”
J & R. Anderson & D. Grant – Ottawa, Ontario – La Vuelta 2019 – Tour 2 Northern Summits

“We returned to Andalucia for the 2018 La Vuelta having enjoyed the la Vuelta 2017 tour so much with Cycling Country.
We expected to repeat that enjoyment and we were not disappointed.
Great riding, great viewing, the best of hotels and food and an interesting and challenging group of cyclists.
Geoff and Maggi, our hosts, dedicated themselves 100% to our pleasure and comfort and were ably assisted by the two bike guides, Dean and Javi.
All participants have their own priorities. For some their own cycling, for others watching the professionals really close up and intimate.
For us it was a combination of those two, plus staying in such lovely hotels, you couldn’t find better, where we rubbed shoulders with the teams from Trek, Sky and Bahrain.
From the modern sophistication of our 4 star hotel in Malaga and the 5 star hotel in Granada to the stunning beauty of the Parador hotels in Ronda and Nerja.
The riding was hard and hot and, for the most part, great fun.
Anyone who says the last km of the 2540m Sierra Nevada climb is ‘fun’ doesn’t inhabit the same planet.
Nice climbs and even more spectacular descents, particularly the Puerto de Leon.
We look forward to next year’s tour with anticipation knowing that whatever the route, whatever the composition and size of the group, we will have fun.”
J & P. Sharman, London, UK – La Vuelta 2018

“La Vuelta’s epic climbs – a truly spectacular and special cycling week with Cycling Country. Even in a country blessed with great places to ride, Andalusia stands out as a truly spectacular region. La Vuelta offers climbs that legends are made of. It offers beauty, brutality, drama and this year a piece of cycling history with Contador’s Angliru ending I would like to thank Cycling Country (CC) for the enthusiasm and vision in creating an outstanding week, and for their impeccable support with logistics. I love the accessibility and closeness CC provides to La Vuelta. You are never too far away from the pros. Meeting a former road racing cyclist provided enormous insight in the running of La Vuelta. Having the group stay in the same hotels as the professional teams provided the opportunity to meet mechanics, support people and also the professionals. As an Italian supporting Vincenzo Nibali I was excited to know I was staying in the same hotel as the Bahrain-Merida team. Although following La Vuelta so closely I still managed to go out and enjoy the local custom. In Almeria I went really local by having a couple of drinks at Cafe Bar Nevada and dined at Cafe Puga. I think I was the only non-Spanish so you could not have found a more local place. I found similar places in Granada. Additionally the delightful place we stayed at in Zuheros was special – probably one of prettiest villages and scenery in Andalusia.The cycling was superb. Given that the whole area can become swamped by cyclists during the Vuelta I thought CC did a fantastic job to keep everyone on target. It is clear that this is a family run business with great knowledge of the area. The guides are all local and provide enormous support and valuable insight. A true pleasure to be able to spend time with them. Geoff and Maggie, the owners, should be immensely proud for how they contribute to La Vuelta and how they run CC. Their tours contribute towards establishing the Vuelta as one of the most dramatic tours. Hasta Luego!!!”
C. Salinardi, London, UK – La Vuelta 2017

“With Cycling Country we made our first cycling trip to Europe. Geoff, Dean, Javi and the rest of the crew made our rides and say really happy. Balbino took care of my mom and showed her Spain while me and my brothers went riding, then we met at the finish line of La Vuelta stages. It was a terrific Trip and we will for sure do it again!!!”
D. Botero, Medalin, Columbia – La Vuelta 2017

“Awesome Vuelta a España tour, amazing VIP access, up close & personal with the riders! We recently did a Vuelta a Espana tour with Cycling Country, and had an amazing time. The tour was well-organized and thought out, with rider enjoyment in mind, both from the perspective of riding and spectating. The Spanish-based company clearly has a very close relationship with the race organizers, which is to the benefit of Cycling Country’s clients. The VIP access to starts and finishes, as well as the podium, were unbelievable. Because the race is smaller, it is also much more intimate, enabling access to the riders. The behind-the-scenes access and perspective was very interesting, as was the talk from a retired rider. This was our third time doing a trip with Cycling Country, and the reason we chose them for our Vuelta shadow tour. Previously we have done self-guided tours or fixed-stay trips, and have been very impressed and pleased with the company and the service it provides. Geoff and Maggi are wonderful people and it shows in their dealings with clients. We would definitely recommend Cycling Country for any of its tours, but especially the Vuelta a Espana tour!”
A. Sauve & Tim, Coburg, Ontario – La Vuelta 2017

“The Vuelta tour was probably the best bike tour I have ever done. Ok the days were long, but your team gave us the best access I have ever had to a Grand Tour. The routes you designed to ride the best climbs and see the stage finishes were exceptional. Chapeau!” “
John, Ontario, Canada – La Vuelta 2016

“Let me write a few lines of thank you. I just can’t believe what a trip you gave us all! It was truly a cycling tour that I will never forget. Well done to all of the Cycling Country crew and thank you again for the good times. The Vuelta was the ride of my life.”
Steve, Sydney, Australia – La Vuelta 2015

“That was an amazing trip to the Vuelta! So much behind-the-scenes access and some fab riding too. Thanks for everything!”
L. Rice, London, UK – La Vuelta 2015 -Depart & Southern Climbs

“The Vuelta Tour 1 (Andalucia 2014) was memorable! The VIP access was exceptional, beyond my expectations. Cycling Country beautifully handled different levels of cycling abilities in the group in the smoothest way, the coordination among them was very professional and efficient, providing to the group an ongoing feeling of safety, support and fun. I will highly recommend them to all my friends and they honestly deserve to run such a successful business. Muchas Gracias for the extraordinary experience! “
L. Sullivan, Colorado, USA – La Vuelta 2014

“Rob and I would like to take the opportunity to send you a big thank you for everything you organized for the tour. We had an amazing time. The ride routes where spectacular and the VIP access was fantastic. Dean and Javi were both lovely, very helpful and encouraging. We had the best time and keep reminiscing about the week wishing we were still in Andalusia. It definitely exceeded all our expectations and hopefully will see you at next years tour. Thank you again”

K. and R. Garland, Australia – La Vuelta 2014

Testimonials from previous cyclists are always available and we enjoy receiving the feedback after tours. It helps us improve our services and offer you an even better experience. Please feel free to contact us if you would like a reference to talk to. Others have also posted reviews on the independent travel website .