TriSportNews Training Camp

March 2010, Malaga, Spain.
So it's that time of year again. Time to lose a few more kgs and get some sunny miles in before the racing season starts in anger. So a bunch of TSN riders hired 'Casa Ultima', a large sprawling villa about 2km outside of Alhaurin el Grande situated in the hills north of Malaga.

Most of us were out there for a 10 day stretch and during that time we had all sorts of weather. The first half was generally cool and occasionally rainy. We were told that being up in the hills could reduce the temperature by as much as 7C compared to the coast so we were glad for the large wood burning fire in the main house. Later in the week the weather improved and there were some lovely sunny days.

The riding in this area is predictably hilly. The only way to avoid the hills is to head south towards the coast. Trying this one day we rode out to Rincon de la Victoria on the advice of the local cycling club. Unfortunately the traffic around Malaga is busy and this took the shine off the ride.

The best rides in this area are north of Alhaurin el Grande taking you out past Cartama or Coin. In particular a couple of rides were fantastic such as the ride out through Pizarra following the Rio Guadalhorce to Alora and eventually to El Chorro. This is a huge limestone gorge which has been dammed and is also famous for ‘the world’s most dangerous walk-way’ that runs high up along the gorge. Known as the Caminito del Rey, since it was originally opened by Alfonso XIII of Spain, it is now closed to the public and apparently used only by climbers.

Another great ride heads west from our base out through Coin, Alozaina and El Burgo to Ronda. The round trip is 150km which is plenty and there are plenty of steep climbs and windy passes such as the Puerto del Viento at 1180m. Ronda itself is spectacular sitting either side of the El Tajo cannon. With a tight schedule to get back home before sunset there was just enough time for a meal and a few photos whilst posing on the bridge.