Oli and Matt escape to Spain

CNP - Orbea riders Oli and Matt took the opportunity to escape the miserable British February weather in favour of the sun of Southern Andalucia and get 7 days of MTB training. Here's Oli's view from the sun. 

View to 'snow' mountains from the Holmes family Finca

Having visit this region of Spain for over 8 years I have built up quite a local knowledge of the best singletrack and trails in the nearby woods and mountains of Alhaurin. Therefore unlike most mtb'ers I don't have to make the choice of spending more and going on guided holiday or being forced to ditch the MTB and stick to the road bike.  As a result the trip is all about riding top notch cross country singletrack and climbing and descending mountains. 

Matt traversing a cliff edge

The trip was originally planned for the week before with John coming as well but the financial problems of being a student and saving for a power tap caused John to fore go the camp. It work out great for Matt and I because we went a week later, missing the Spanish rain, and were blessed with 20 degree heat and blue sky's. 

A 3.45 start on Sunday morning along with Matt scratching his new Oakley Radars on the last day were the only downsides the ups were 4 hard days of mountain biking, 1 cafe rides, 1 set up ride and 1 road ride. Oh and the near perfect weather




Day 1 After a quick 40min spin on the day we arrived Matt and I spent the monday adjusting to the Spanish terrain on a local Spanish xc course at Los Llannos, Matt was already in love with singletrack rough, steep, and hard but loads of fun.

Matt working hard climbing 

Day 2 was spent exploring the longer climbs on the base of the the Mijas mountain (A preview of what was to come on the day after rest day). The ride included an all time favourite 20 min+ stretch of traversing singletrack with steep switch back climbs and descents what more could you ask for! the GPS location no chance this is a best kept secret. A few short sprints up the kickers on the way back home finished another hard days riding.

Pool in winter hibernation however we could have done with it on some of days.

Day 3 time to show Matt why so many road teams use the area for training Camps as we took to the road and left the dirt behind for a 3 hour spin between Alhaurin, Coin, Aloziana, Zalea, Alhora, Cartama. The steady road ride didn't quite happen as we both got carried away on the climbs and Matt keen to show of his form on the back of his first ever cross season. Needless to say Matt is fine shape for the 2011 mtb season and a few more days of riding with matt and i'll be too. 


Day 4 Rest day and after 3 solid days of riding a 1 hr cafe ride with cake and cafe con leche was a perfect respite.

Matt struggling for grip on the loose surface

Day 5 The 1000m vertical ascent and descent of the Mijas mountain. Having climbed this brute on three occasions now I can state it doesn't seem to get any shorter or less steep. Averaging between 15 and 25 percent for 90% of the climb up an access fire track would be hard enough but add in the terribly loose surface makes it twice as hard. The problem with the climb is you can't stand up without slipping out the rear wheel and you are constantly fighting the bike a real full body work out. The climb started with a good but controlled tempo through the town but once we hit the rough stuff the pain started. 1 hr later the climb ended both spent both exhausted both wishing we hadn't bothered. However once recovered thanks too CNP pro flapjacks and Gels we were ready to attack the 1000m vertical descent 85% of which was steep alpine singletrack. After one spill one puncture and plenty of rock gardens the smiles had return and the sprints up the final kickers took placed once again.



Day 6 The Final day and the hard week finally caught up with Matt and pace on the climbs reduced to a more steady pace and we just enjoyed the singletrack and 22 degree sun. We had intended to ride the 'Anna's' singletrack (the 20min traverse) for a second time but Wild boar hunting in the forest and the wish not to be shot by a rifle prevent us from riding it. The ride finished with a Cafe stop followed by 30 spin back to the Finca and sad process of packing up the bikes in preparation of return to rainy Britain.


A big thanks to my parents Dave and Jan Holmes for letting us stay at there Finca and also to CNP in which their products kept us going all week.