QF Focus Magazine “Get on yer Bike.”
Monthly cycling tips / advice and routes by Gary and Lynn, “Cyclogical” Quesada. Cycle Route 40 - Xorret de Cati Castalla.
This is a really long ride so make sure you are well prepared with plenty of water, clothes, suntan cream, food and money.
Leave from Quesada and head for Benijofar, turn right at the town square (cobbled area) and pass through Benijofar. At the roundabout for Rojales turn left and cycle up and over the bridge to the next roundabout, go straight across and follow the road to San Fulgencio where you turn left at the roundabout following the signs for Elche. Follow this road past La Marina Urbanisation and stay on this road, which is a relatively good straight road. Go straight on at the next roundabout and after 2kms you will pass a petrol station on your left after which you come to another roundabout where the road becomes a dual carriageway (there is a cycle track now all the way to Elche). Just follow this road passing loads of roundabouts until you come to the Elche ring road (another roundabout), turn left here and follow the signs for Aspe CV84.
Cycle all the way through the town staying on the ring road. After a few kilometres you will pass Leroy Merlin on your right and will then come to a large intersection where you cross the AP7 - just continue to follow the signs for Aspe on the CV84 for approx 20kms. Once you arrive at Aspe stay on the ring road and start following signs for Novelda N325. Pass through Novelda and stay on the N325 following it all the way to Elda / Petrer. At Petrer head towards Carrefour where the road crosses over the A31 motorway picking up the CV837. This is a lovely twisty country road that takes you up and over Xorret de Cati. This is a very tough climb for 13.4km with an average grade of 5% and over this distance a climb of 627metres but once at the top enjoy the view and take some pictures before following this road all the way down to Castalla.
Castalla is a great place to refuel or have a menu del dia as there are plenty of tapas bars and restaurants to choose from before the return journey. If you have plenty of time and fancy some more climbing you can head for Ibi on the CV806 where you turn right onto the CV 798 following it all the way up and over another great climb towards Tibi. Whether you go on to Ibi and Tibi or just want to head back from Castalla you are now looking for the CV815 to Vertedero pass through here and the road runs alongside the A7 motorway for a few kms, then at Cruz del Maigmo pick up the A221 road to Agost. At Agost take the Novelda road and then retrace your steps to Aspe. At the roundabout at Aspe take the Crevillente road all the way to Crevillente, where you go straight across at the roundabout, turn
left at the junction and head for the railway station (approx 3kms). After passing the station cycle for another 2kms then turn right down to The Hondon nature reserve, turn left and follow this road all the way to the junction where you turn right and cycle for 1km arriving at another roundabout with Ursulas restaurant. Turn right here you are now back on the Elche San Fulgencio road. Head all the way back home for a well deserved rest. WELL DONE.
Follow your route all the way back to Quesada or alternatively cycle through the nature reserve and you will come out close to the La Marina urbanization.
Total Cycling time: 8 hours. Total Distance: Approx 160 Kms.
Summary : Beautiful scenic route, lovely quiet roads once you pass Aspe; however some very steep climbs up from Crevillente, and the Xorret de cati itself but with lovely views at the top and great roads.
Gary and Lynn are available at Cyclogical in Quesada Monday to Friday 09.30-17.30 and Saturdays from 10.00-14.00 to assist and advise you on all your cycling requirements.
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