La Vuelta for 2012, itinerary enclosed
David Olle
Please find below the first draft of our Vuelta itinerary for 2012. There
may be minor changes to the following, but overall it will remain the same.
I won't bang on too much about the accommodation, 'cept to say one of the
locations is listed in the Top 50 hotels in the world (UK Telegraph) and
another one is definitely not (but it is still one of our favorites, and we
use it regularly) (it's in OUR top 50). Two of the accomms have inhouse
restaurants that will produce a menu well above the standard fare. Combine
this with Cochinillo (baked suckling pig) from Jose Maria's in Segovia, and
a 4 course reef/beef meal, from our long time friend Jose, in Madrid and
you're are looking at a pretty good tour before we even mention cycling, and
Alberto Contador. Bookings have already been accepted, but there are plenty
of places in the 13 still remaining, contact us if interested, please.
Topbike Vuelta Tour Aug 31 - Sept 10, 2012
(Madrid-Madrid) as at Feb 2012
Friday, Aug 31
Us: Pick up Hotel Medium Cortezo, Doctor Cortezo 3, 28012 - Madrid +34 913
690 101 @9am
Once everyone has arrived, we'll load the vans and transport north to O
Corgo, in Galicia (484k, 5h). Here, in a rural location, we will spend 2
nights in a small hotel (a renovated old house, born in the XVII century,
the ancient house of a miller. The hotel is placed at the bottom of Miño
river, the main river of Galicia). Once we have arrived, we'll organize our
bikes and get out for a ride in our environs, planning to catch the end of
today's stage on tele in a local bar. We shall dine in-house with our hosts
tonight. (Ride 'easy' one to two hours)
Them: Stage 13 - Santiago de Compostela Ferrol 172,7 km
The Vuelta returned to Galicia last year and this region will host the
largest number of stages in 2012. As such, Santiago de Compostela and Ferrol
are both making their return to the Tour, twenty seven years later in the
case of the former, and some twenty years later for the latter.
This stage will feature a demanding route with a third-category climb at San
Marcos, just a few kilometres from the end, which may tempt a sprinter to
try for a solo finish.
Saturday, Sept 1
Us: Today's stage starts at Santiago de Compostela, the finish of a massive
journey for many pilgrims, however our pilgrimage to La Vuelta will start
with a 75k ride over to Navia de Suarna, which is at the base of today's
final climb/hilltop finish. Bear in mind that just 29k away is where we
will first strike the course, at Becerrea, strategically located in the
valley between two category climbs. Which will be as good a place as any to
catch our first good look at the 2012 Vuelta and it's full circus. So there
a few choices available, just which climb will we choose today, to watch the
skinny lycra brigade suffer upon? (Ride <80km, with hills).
Them: Stage 14, Palas de Rei Puerto de Ancares 152,0 km
The riders will start off September with their third climbing finish of this
Tour. It is the last Galician start before the race moves on to Castile and
Leon. Palas de Rei, a new Vuelta location, will see the peloton off to face
one of the stages with the most climbs, including the finish at the Puerto
de Ancares, which offered an exciting highlight last year with the arrival
of Joaquin "Purito" Rodríguez and Juanjo Cobo. With lots of points on
offer, this route promises a great show, with attacks from those riders who
wish to take a starring role in the stage.
Sunday, September 2
Us: We'll be packing up and moving eastwards today, from Galicia to
Asturias, for our next location just outside Villaviciosa (257k, 3.5h).
We'll depart O Corgo early, allowing us plenty of time to arrive, and take
best advantage of our options. Today's stage passes through our town, so we
can do a local flat ride around the valley or take off towards the closest
KOM. Just 30k away is the category 1 climb of Puerto del Filo, today's
penultimate hilltop. We'll have a few k to ride, as a warm up, before we
strike the base, then up we go (to the top of only 570m...category 1 climbs
aren't so high, in this part of Spain). In Villaviciosa we can settle in
for the next 2 days, where we will dine inhouse. (ride >60k, one small
climb)
Them: Stage 15 - La Robla Lagos de Covadonga 186,7 km
Setting off from the town of La Robla in Leon, which is making its Vuelta
debut, this classic stage makes its way towards a finish in the legendary
Lagos de Covadonga, which will be hosting the race for the eighteenth time.
Over a route of almost 190 km, the riders will ascend the San Emiliano
third-category climb as well as the first-category Puerto del Fito, before
starting the tough ascent to Los Lagos, where the Asturian rider Barredo won
the stage last year.
The great Asturias mountain range will once again witness riders battling
for a good position, with an eye to the overall classification and a place
on the podium in Madrid.
Monday, September 3
Today's stage start is in Gijon, about 26k west of us. We'll ride into town
to visit the team buses, witness the riders signing, on and generally just
get amongst all the action, before we wave the riders off on their 185k
stage. We can either return straight to Villaviciosa, or take a circuitous
route, that takes in some of the scenic parts of Asturias. Not forgetting
we'll catch the finish of today's stage, live via the tele, in a local bar,
amongst the locals, nothing better. Dining inhouse tonight.
(Ride >60k).
Them: Stage 16 - Gijón Valgrande-Pajares. Cuitu Negru 185,0 km
Third arrival in a row in high altitude of the Vuelta 2012, with a
first-time arrival at "Cuitu Negru", a truly impressive finish just 3km from
the Valgrande-Pajares ski resort.
The stage starts in Gijon and includes, besides the final climb, 3 others
mythical Asturias mountains: Cabruñana (3rd Cat), San Lorenzo and La
Cobertoria (1st cat). Together with the Pajares climb, those 3 giants will
result in one of the most difficult stages of the 2012 edition.
This new Asturias climb will end the 2nd week of the competition and will be
the last mountain stage until la Bola del Mundo.
Tuesday, September 4
Today's Vuelta rest day gives us the opportunity to get out on a ride with
purpose, as we re-locate by bike. Along the coast we will cavort, taking in
all the scenery of the 'Costa Verde' for approx 55k, visiting Ribadesella,
for lunch by the sea, and definitely at least one coffee, before turning
south, and up over the coastal range, to descend into Mestas di Ardisana.
The Topbike vans will carry all our gear as we ride from one hotel to the
next, all the while remaining in Asturias. A full day of R & R (rest &
re-location). Dinner tonight in the most rurally located 'rural' restaurant
we visit in our euro travels (and I'm not joking). (>80k, one reasonable
climb)
Them: Rest day
Wednesday, September 5
The base of today's final climb is 55k away, an ideal warm up for us. In
fact, due to the meandering circuitous route the peloton follows today, we
have an opportunity to see the race twice, as long as we are quick about.
It'll be a case of ride out, watch the leaders pass, jump on the
sweat-wheels and pedal like buggery for 25k, and if luck is with us, we'll
see the whole peloton pass on by at La Hermida. The leaders will be
covering 48k inc, cat 1 & 2 climbs, while we do our 25k sprint, are you up
to it? If not, you can go straight to La Hermida, see them past just once,
and catch the mini-bus home, easy. Dinner down the coast in Llanes tonight.
(<90k, hard, with hills, and a sprint session).
Them: Stage 17 - Santander Fuente Dé 177,0 km
The Vuelta has not started a stage in Santander since 2003. This year, it
will send the riders off into the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains. Fuente
Dé will host the finish of a stage that should not see any major changes in
the overall classification.
The three successive climbs in the second half of the stage may mean that a
breakaway by a small number of riders could make it to the finishing line
and fight for victory in a sprint.
Thursday, September 6
We'll be starting our journey towards Madrid today, and we'll make full use
of the Vuelta's facilities to do it. We'll ride as much (or as little) of
the 186k stage as we can, it's a stage that travels due south, which makes
it suitable for us to have a good go at it. We'll get an early start,
exiting Mestas at 8, aiming to hit the road pedaling, two hours later, at
Aguilar de Campoo. From here it will simply be a case of follow the signs,
and keep ahead of the caravan, all the way to Valladolid. We'll be staying
in Segovia tonight. (Ride flat-ish, <186k).
Them: Stage 18, Aguilar de Campoo Valladolid 186,4 km
The race returns to Castile and Leon for a flat stage from Aguilar de Campoo
to Valladolid. In the absence of mountains, the greatest threat may come
from side winds and, with them, the possibility of the pack breaking up into
an echelon formation.
The teams of sprinters have to make the most of the opportunity offered by
Valladolid, one of the most historic cities in the Tour, in order to win
another finish. The last winner on the streets of Valladolid was the great
Paolo Bettini.
Friday, September 7
Today the Topbike riders will really test their legs as we head out for a
loop in the scenic mountains of Castilla y Leon, taking in 3 passes (Pueto
de Navafria, Cotos and Navacerrada). This was part of a stage in the 2008
La Vuelta. We will return with enough time to see the stage finish, not far
from downtown, Segovia.
For tonight's dinner we will enjoy a local speciality prepared by the
acclaimed restaurant Hose Marias, whole roast piglet, El Cochinillo
<http://www.rtejosemaria.com/cochinillo.asp> , theatrically prepared at the
table by the chef. (Ride 4- 5 hours <100k, including 3 passes).
Them: Stage 19, Peñafiel La Lastrilla 169,0 km
After the time trials were held here in 2010, the Vuelta returns to Peñafiel
this year to see the riders off, on their way to Segovia, where La Lastrilla
will host the stage finish with a high chance of a group sprint. It will be
the last chance for sprinters to claim a stage victory before the finishing
line in Castellana.
Saturday, September 8
We'll be returning to Madrid (98k, 1.5h) later today, but not before we
sight the riders one more time, on Bola del Mundo, the ski station at the
top of a goat track above 'Puerto Navacerrada'. It's a hell of a climb.
Dinner tonight with our regular host Jose at the restaurant 'Alconada',
maybe sampling some 'Percebes', a delicious, edible gooseneck barnacle. One
of Topbike's favorite locations, and seafoods.
Ride: at least 30 ks, one x cat 1 climb with longer rides (or the van)
possible.
Them: Stage 19, La Faisanera Golf. Segovia 21 Bola del Mundo 169,5 km
After a successful first attempt at hosting a stage, the Tour returns to
Bola del Mundo with the prospect of seeing this year's winner emerge and the
hopes of the other riders dashed.
The riders will leave Segovia to face a tough stage with a second-category
climb at Canencia, and three first-category climbs in Navafría, Morcuera and
Cotos. They will then have to ascend the three extremely challenging
kilometres to Puerto de Navacerrada, which offered such excitement two years
ago. La Bola del Mundo, the "Cima Alberto Fernández" peak for this year's
Vuelta, with its steep inclines and concrete instead of asphalt surface,
will make for a great show for this penultimate stage of the 2012 Tour.
Sunday, September 9
We wake up early and get Madrid by bike, when it is still sleeping. Tick
off those tourist attractions all in an easy 3 hour stroll on the bikes
around central Madrid. Topbike Tours are famous for their Sunday
passagiata. Emma's favourite place is the Atocha railway Station so you can
be sure that will be en route. In the afternoon we will hop on the Madrid
Subway (or simply walk), over to the finish line and watch the procession of
laps for the finish of La Vuelta Espana 2012.
Ride 3 hours easy, very slow, lots of stops and photos. Coffee at Plaza
Mayor at the finish, or hot chocolate with spanish donutsm if you please.
Tonight, we do it like the locals and take a Tapas dinner at downtown Madrid
at one of the oldest and most famous Tapas bars. Dave has a sure way to get
something everyone wants for dinner, just start at the top of the tapas list
and countdown.
Them: Stage 21, Cercedilla Madrid 111,9 km
A new Vuelta starting point, Cercedilla in the sierra of Madrid will see the
riders off on their way to the capital for another triumphal stage and
tribute to the Tour winner.
Fans in the streets of Madrid, who come out to cheer the riders on, will
enjoy ten laps of an urban route, where there is always excitement as the
sprinters seize their last chances to win a place on the podium of the 67th
Spanish Vuelta. This is a long-awaited final stage for many, which takes
place under the watchful gaze of the famous statue of Cibeles.
Monday September 10:
Time for packing up, farewells, and making our way to our next travel
connections, unless you have chosen to stay on for a couple of days to
explore Madrid in a bit more depth.
TOPBIKE'S 2012 LA VUELTA TOUR INCLUDES
All transport in the Topbike air conditioned mini-bus from Madrid to Madrid
for you, your bike and one bag.
10 nights accommodation: 5 Locations, 2 nights O Corgo, Villaviciosa, Mestas
di Ardisana, Segovia & Madrid (twin share)
ALL breakfasts and dinners
Full back up vehicle and mechanical support on every ride
A five piece Topbike cycle clothing Kit.
Energy bars and carbohydrate drink powder
Experienced cycling guides
Detailed maps of all ride routes
Transfers in the Topbike A/C Vans
Tips, coaching if requested
Non cyclists also catered for
All particular dietary requests are catered for, just let us know
NB: The itinerary above is to be used as a guide only, as Topbike Tours are
well known for making use of all (and creating some extra) opportunities,
expect that variations from the above can happen at any time.
David Olle
Topbike Tours (you'll never ride alone)
www.topbike.com.au <http://www.topbike.com.au/>
www.topbiketv.com <http://www.topbiketv.com/>
PO Box 1717
Collingwood
Vic 3066
AUSTRALIA
M: + 61 (0)415 866 061
Ph: + 61 (0)3 9419 2040
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Twitter feed @DavidOLLE @CyclingDnA
Skype: topbiketours
Thanks, as always to GIANT bikes, Excell Travel, Divella pasta, Videocraft
and 3RRR