La Vuelta 2020

Bienvenido – Welcome to Spain and the start of your La Vuelta 2020 experience!

The Mummu Cycling team will meet you at Bilbao airport this morning by 10am, before transferring 1 hour to our hotel in Vitoria-Gasteiz where tomorrow’s Stage 10 start will take place, commencing today’s ‘rest day’.

On arrival, take some time to check in and settle before meeting our team in our allocated bike room who will assist you with setting up, fitting and dialling bikes ahead of this afternoon’s relaxed warm-up ride.

Pre-ride you’ll have opportunity to explore and grab a bite (we are very conveniently located right in the heart of the history-rich city centre, lined with incredible local Basque style tapas bars and beyond…). We’ll then regroup for a welcome briefing to discuss today’s ride and our action packed week at La Vuelta that lies ahead!

Post briefing, you’ll set out on bikes, led by our experienced team of guides and with our support vehicle never far out of sight behind. Today’s ride will be a short loop from the hotel –  just enough to get the legs into gear ahead of some big days on the horizon, get used to our surroundings and check bikes are running smoothly.

On return, freshen up and take some time out before getting set for this evening’s pro team meet and greet.

Here you will have an exclusive opportunity to meet and chat with a professional team on their rest day. This will be an incredible chance to gather some insight into the race happenings so far, gain a greater understanding as to how a pro team operates and the importance of the ‘team behind the team’, get to know some of the sports biggest stars and if you’re lucky, grab a snap or two with them along the way…

We’ll then enjoy a group welcome dinner to get to know one another and toast to the La Vuelta adventure to come!

Today we well and truly step onto the La Vuelta scene as Stage 10 get’s underway a stone’s throw from our hotel in the heart of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Enjoy a relaxed morning and breakfast before preparing for today’s action. We’ll first be setting out to the Stage start to catch a glimpse of the pros tentatively preparing for the race ahead. Be sure to have your cameras ready as we’ll have you close enough to see everything from warm-up’s, to bike prep and pre-race chats.

You’ll then see the Stage start, before preparing for our own ride. Today, we’ll be riding 50km from the Start, to the challenging Category 1 Puerto Orduña that the pros will be contesting twice throughout the 160km long undulating stage.

Enjoy a nice warm-up along rolling roads into the climb. You’ll now have your first opportunity to go head to head with a lengthy Spanish ascent! Now’s your time to go as hard or as gently as you so desire…(we’ll always regroup atop to continue on as a team). The 8km climb averages a testing 7.5%, ascending up to 902m…so it’s safe to say, by the summit you’ll have well and truly awakened your inner climbing self!

At the top of the Orduña we will settle in roadside to await the pros who will no doubt show us how it’s done to perfection as they glide their way up seemingly effortlessly and at mind-blowing speeds. Having just ridden the same ascent, you’ll certainly walk away with a greater appreciation as to just how quickly these guys can move up a climb!

Prepare to get your cheer on for your favourite riders as they crest the summit and go into battle mode in pursuit of the finish line, now within reach with less than 20km to go.

Following a nice taste of La Vuelta mountain madness, we’ll ride/transfer back to the hotel.

This evening will be at your leisure to explore our humming surroundings, enjoy the beautiful medieval city centre and its gastronomic delights – particularly famous for their tapas bars, featuring a great selection of pintxos and traditional Txakoli; a slightly sparkling, very dry white wine well worth a taste!

This morning, following breakfast we will transfer to today’s ride start point along the Stage 11 route in pursuit of the final climb and summit finish up the Alto de Moncalvillo.

We will ride along the official race route 40km out from the finish – a mostly downhill stretch through to the vineyard-dotted surrounds of the La Rioja region, renowned for its world-famous Rioja wine.

Tempting, yes…but for now, keep your eyes on the road as the Alto de Moncalvillo awaits us. The demanding 14.5km mountain pass no easy feat, averaging 6.7% with inclinations between 13-14% in its closing 3km…

Take a moment to think beyond the burn in your legs and appreciate the lively atmosphere that surrounds us as the climb will no doubt by now be lined with excited, enthusiastic fans awaiting the race in full cheer. Perhaps some added motivation to dance your way up to the summit and cross the finish line, arms sky-high!

On arrival to the top, take a moment to sit back and appreciate your efforts over stunning views. Then prepare yourself for an afternoon well spent awaiting the much anticipated dramatic summit finish where the climbers and key contenders will almost certainly be going ballistic up its slopes, in a valiant bid for stage honours and precious seconds.

We’ll have you right there, to witness the action and those final thrilling moments LIVE – so brace yourself for an afternoon to remember!

Concluding a healthy dose of La Vuelta excitement, we will transfer back to Vitoria-Gasteiz. Following a big day out, this evening will be at your leisure to relax and unwind or explore and enjoy that much deserved glass or two of Rioja.

Following a big few days within the La Vuelta bubble, today we’ll take a step away from the madness as we make our way across to Santander.

After breakfast and checkout we will transfer across to the coast to our ride start point along the exquisite Asturian coastline, that runs along the Cantabrian Sea, famously known as the ‘Costa Verde’ – Green Sea.

This truly spectacular stretch of road along the coast will have you taking in all its surreality; from the broad, fine sand beaches, to the cliffs that hang over them dotted with small coves hovering underneath and surrounded by green protected nature reserves. The Asturias region is well regarded for its ‘nature’ and beautiful lush landscape, so take a moment to breathe it all in as you ride along its rolling coastline.

Throughout the ride, we’ll make a pitstop at a seaside restaurant to enjoy that much anticipated paella you’ll by now surely be craving – seafood lovers, rejoice!

We’ll then continue on to complete our 60km coastal ride in Santander – a historic coastal town that lines the beautiful La Magdalena peninsula.

On arrival, check in and refresh before joining us at the bar to enjoy a cold one where we’ll watch the Stage 12 finish and a predicted sprint to the line.

This evening we’ll enjoy a group dinner to toast to the coast and another stellar day in Spain.

This morning, following breakfast and checkout, it’ll be time to kit up and get set for our 70km ride to the Category 3 climb of Alto de San Cipriano along the Stage 13 race route.

Today’s stage is one for the sprinters – pancake flat with the exception of the 4.8km hump at the 120km mark of the 187km stage, which could certainly prove a test for some of the ‘fast men’!

Following a nice coastal ride out to the climb, enjoy the tame 4.2% gradient up to the top before settling in for some roadside viewing.

Once the pros fly by, we’ll transfer on to Gijon where we’ll be based for the remainder of the tour.

Gijon is the largest city in Asturias, packed with incredible restaurants, cider bars, museums and archaeological sites…

On arrival, take some time to refresh, settle and relax before regathering for this evening’s group dinner.

This morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast as today will be a big day out in the thick of the Vuelta excitement!

This weekend marks the prime opportunity for contenders to throw down their best performances over back-to-back incredibly mountainous stages. It’s highly predicted that Stage 14 and 15 will be the decisive and most critical stages of the 3 week race, and we’ll be there to witness those winning attacks…

Today, we’ll be transferring to our ride start point that’ll have us cycling over some incredibly picturesque terrain, through stunning natural parks and reserves in hot pursuit of the finish climb of today’s stage – the Alto de La Farrapona.

Today – the pros face a gruelling mountain mad route including one 3rd category opening climb and four 1st category climbs…the 20km long Alto de La Farrapona lying tantalisingly at the finish.

We’ll be tackling the lengthy ascent ourselves, however at a much calmer pace…do not fear – it may be long, but has a fairly relaxed gradient of 5.5% average, so the key will be focusing on getting into your own rhythm and taking some time to enjoy the beautiful scenery as you go.

The atmosphere up the climb will assuredly be all-on as excited spectators line its slopes…take it all in as you make your way up!

Once we summit, it’ll be time to relax, unwind and recover over a picnic lunch as we setup roadside to await the excitement of what is expected to be a serious battle to the line and an EPIC stage to watch live.

Following the finish, we will transfer back to Gijon. This evening will be at your leisure to enjoy the vibrant city centre, or alternatively put your feet up and have an early one following a huge day out!

This morning following breakfast, kit up and get set for your final La Vuelta test. The mythical Alto de Angliru calls!

Today we’ll be enjoying a 65km ride on route to the mighty mountain nestled right in the heart of Asturias, surrounded by green and nestled among many other famous Spanish climbs.

For those who don’t know it already, the Angliru is like the ‘Alpe d’huez’ of Spain or the Stelvio Pass of Italy. It’s a real icon and an absolute must to tick off your bucket list!

Well known for its truly majestic scenery, contrasting perfectly alongside its punishingly steep gradients…the 12.5km ascent averages 10% – the first 6km a tame 6% before approaching the first of its hellishly steep ramps of up to 23.5%!

Alberto Contador, winner of the 2008 La Vuelta stage up the Angliru described it as ‘the hardest mountain he has ever climbed – tougher than the likes of Zoncolan because the gradient is so inconsistent….’

Needless to say, you’ll have your work cut out for you – however, do not fear – support will be near and once we approach the base of the climb, you can once again ride within your limits and at a pace that is comfortable for you, in your own time.

Mountain atmosphere will surely be on point, so motivation will no doubt be at an all time high!

Once we summit, we’ll set up roadside to enjoy a much deserved beverage and a picnic lunch as we kick back to witness the thrill of the stage finish where only the best of the best will remain in contention to fight it out for honours atop. Another brutal day for the pros who prior to the Angliru face a cruel additional three Category 1 climbs, and two Category 3’s. So in hindsight – you’ll have it easy!

Following your final dose of La Vuelta action, we will transfer back to Gijon. This evening we’ll enjoy a farewell group dinner to say gracias and salud to one hell of a week on tour.

This morning, following breakfast and checkout we will transfer 3 hours to arrive in Bilbao by midday, before saying adios and cheers to a fantastic La Vuelta experience. We trust you’ve had a memorable tour with Mummu Cycling and hope to have you back with us again soon!