This is a fantastic cycling route, out along the coast and back with stops for tapas and coffee along the way.
One of our joys is when you start to get to know a road’s nature a little bit more, so we use this ride to give you the chance to attack the descent to Torrox that you’ll have some knowledge of having done it both ways already.
Once we get down to the coast we’ll be sharing the thrill of the descent while we regroup and prepare for some peloton riding along the coast towards Nerja and beyond.
The beauty of this ride is that it encompasses the old coast road beyond Nerja. Until recently (early 2000s) this was the only road to take you east but the opening of the main A7 motorway has meant that this road is now barely used by cars.
A wide road with super tarmac, gives ample opportunity to maintain the peloton formation without coming into conflict with other road users.
With the sea breeze we travel through some superb scenery with an opportunity to see El puente de Aguila or the Eagle´s Bridge, a 19th century aqueduct, similar to the ones built by the Romans. Look out for passing Ibex on the sides of the cliffs.
The roads are gently undulating for the next 6 miles before getting to the right turn taking us up to Cerro Gordo.
This 1.5 mile climb takes us to a view point to look back towards Nerja. At the top there is a typically Spanish café, sometimes it’s open and sometimes it isn’t! This is the only section of road that we’ll take you on that is unadopted meaning the short descent back down is littered with potholes and you spend more time looking down than up.
However, remember we’re not in a race and take your time to back off a bit and maybe pull over for some photos over the cliff edges.
Riding back through Nerja will give us another opportunity for a tapas lunch before taking the coast road past Torrox Costa and back up the Algarrobo climb.
With slightly fresher legs than some of our other rides, you may find yourself wanting to have a bit of a crack at some segment times while we climb back towards the village and a welcome beer.
This 60 mile return with 4,000 foot of climbing is taken at a really easy enjoyable pace after the challenges of the other rides. Take a look at the full route here.
