Once we land into Malaga airport, pie staff will meet everyone at arrivals and transfer the group to the hotel in Antequera. You will have a chance to meet the rest of the pie crew over lunch before having a briefing and getting out on your bikes for a few hours in the afternoon, depending on flight times. The warm up loop will take the riders out to the town of Archidona, where cyclists can tackle the Ermita Virgen de Gracia climb.
This is a long day with some fabulous scenery, deserted roads and Vuelta climbs. The routes are all extremely rural along small tarmacked roads, through olive groves and fields. There are several climb options in the area, before everyone gathers for lunch in Cabra. The final stretch to the finish is along a large quiet road, with more down than up, and will take us all the way to the UNESCO heritage site of Cordoba.
The day starts with a classic exit from the city across the Roman bridge and out into the countryside within a few kms. We are very much in rural Spain here where we stay all the way through to lunch in Baena with a Vuelta climb en route at Zuhueros. From there it is fast riding to meet a small valley route which takes everyone over the Puerto del Castillo climb, and then downhill into Alcala la Real.
The last day and the climbing climax of the trip. Everyone will ride the stunning Ruta del Califato, and onto the plains of Granada. From here cyclists will commence the climb up Pico de Veleta. As an out and back, you choose where you turn round but all options are magnificent achievements and will be rewarded with fantastic views as you descend into Granada. That evening everyone will toast their achievements over a celebration meal.
Today is a free day to enjoy Granada and the spectacular Alhambra, before your return flight back to the UK.