Ambassador ride stories

Male cyclist in black long sleeve kit, rock face along the roadside

From desert switchbacks to alpine benchmarks, we asked our ambassadors to share the rides that have stayed with them, the roads they return to, the climbs they replay in their minds, and the places that push them to go further. These aren’t just routes; they’re memories, milestones, and motivation in map form.

Lanzarote loop by Sav Morgan

The island with a bit of everything! Whilst Lanzarote is one of the flatter Canary Islands in comparison to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, it does offer a vast range of cycling terrain. From 10km climbs to airport runway like flats, you have plenty of options for any type of riding you want to do. With warm temperatures all year round it’s a cycling destination popular with road cyclists, mountain bikers and triathletes! It’s the place to go for a bit of winter sun. My favourite route covers 112km with 1360m of climbing. Starting in the town of Puerto Del Carmen and cycling on the flat coastal path past the airport, you head to the north of the island to climb Tabayesco, the longest climb on the island, averaging at 5.5% with a max of 8%. As you reach the top you face a couple of switch backs with views of the bright blue ocean. Once the climb is done it’s time to head south and descend into the foothills of the Timanfaya National Park, the lava fields and volcanoes make you feel like you’ve been transported into a different world! Smooth, fast roads and views for miles makes the national park a great spot for cycling. Throughout the route you ride on parts of the famous Lanzarote Ironman course which takes place every May. Once you exit the national park it's time to descend back down to the coast, with views of the sea and the island of Fuerteventura on a clear day. Make sure to stop for an ice cream on the way back in, you can’t do a trip to Lanzarote without a Maxibon ice cream sandwich post ride!If you’re looking for warm temperatures all year round, flat and hilly terrain plus the chance to see some volcanoes, Lanzarote could be the island for you

Three image collage, female cyclist relaxing on balcony, bike selfie and landscape shot

Three image collage, male cyclist close up and two shots riding down tree lined avenue

Denver Group ride
by Lucas Clarke
Denver, CO

The Denver Group Ride: To me a great group ride route is a route that starts at a great coffee shop, like Steam Espresso and has a good variety of climbs and iconic Colorado scenery. This route is one of my favorites taking Bear Creek Canyon up from Morrison and over Grape Vine Rd. to the scenic neighborhood of Montane and down Lookout Mountain into Golden, CO (the home of Coors Brewery). This route has something for everyone and is great for larger groups too. I like ending at Illegal Pete's burritos for an amazing burrito and a beer.

Desert ramps, Fuertaventura by Emily Proud

100 K’s through the desert like lands of Fuerteventura. The canary islands offer a great training ground with warm weather and plenty of long climbs. This route is up there in my top 10 around the world. Staring from the southern side of the Island, The first 30 k’s take you on a gradual climb, albeit often with a head wind, winding your way through the desert lands with lots of Goats! Once you are in Tuineje you have another lovely gradual climb into the town of Antigua. By this point your legs should be nicely warmed up before the start of the “bigger” climbs! If you need a drink stop or a bun stop now is your chance before getting into the climbs. Your first big climb takes you up to 620m above sea level, one of highest on the island, it’s a 7km climb, not to steep averaging 5%, dig deep for this one as once you’re over the top the views and descent are wonderful. A long descent gives your legs time to recover before my favourite climb on the Island, 4k’s of gradual winding roads, the edge of the roads is lined with white blocks (preventing anyone going off the edge!!), but it creates a dramatic scene and its one of those climbs you can really get into and actually enjoy. You then have another long descent before your last climb which takes you up to a popular viewpoint with views of the surf breaking from the Atlantic. Once up at the top you will have a tail wind taking you back to Costa Calma with mostly flat roads for the last 10k!

View Strava Route

Three image collage, female cyclist riding away and two mountainous landscape shots

Pinos Loop Calpe by Tom Mazzone

Calpe has long been a paradise for cyclists, offering smooth roads, testing climbs, and some of the best winter training conditions in Europe. While the likes of Coll de Rates and Val d’Ebo attract riders in their droves, there are still quieter gems to be discovered in the hills above the Costa Blanca. One of those is the ‘Pinos Loop’, probably one of my favourite rides in the Calpe area, It’s an undulating route that blends coastal scenery, gradual climbs, and quiet, rolling roads with some of the best views in the area.

Rolling Out from Calpe

Leaving Calpe and heading out along the coast road, you’ll always see plenty of riders, from amateurs to world -tour pros. The road surface is pristine, the views out to the Mediterranean are unbeatable, and it’s a great way to warm up before hitting the first climb of the day, the Fenadix/Benissa climb. At 4km with an average gradient of 5%, it’s a steady ascent that eases you into the day. The further I climbed, the quieter the road became, and glancing back, you get a stunning view of Calpe and the ‘Rock’ - Peñón de Ifach standing out against the sea. One of the best things about riding here is how quickly you transition from the coast to proper climbing terrain.

Heading Inland

Cresting the climb, I enjoyed a fast descent into Benissa before rolling through a series of small villages on the way to Parcent. These roads are some of my favourites, quiet, smooth, and surrounded by differing landscapes. Soon passing the base of Coll de Rates, I resisted the temptation to take on one of the region’s most famous climbs, instead continuing towards Xaló, known for its vineyards and local market.

The Climb to Pinos

From Xaló, I turned onto one of my favourite loops. The Pinos climb gains 600m over 10km, but with an average gradient under 4%, it’s a mainly, steady one. There are a few steeper sections to get over, but overall, it’s a climb that lets you settle into a rhythm. The higher you climb, the better the views become until you reach the top, where you really feel on top of the world.

The Descent

The descent off Pinos is a real highlight, almost like a ski slope at first before heading into the fast and flowing turns further down, although a little bumpy at times, it’s great fun, with the bonus of stunning views of the valley around every turn. It wasn’t too warm on this occasion so I chucked a gilet on at the top as it’s a long descent.It’s always worth having an extra layer just in case. By the time I hit the flatter roads back into Calpe, I’d racked up almost 80km and over 1,500m of climbing, not the longest day out but certainly a solid day on the bike, one that leaves you feeling good rather than empty.

Back in town, I rolled up at 'Cafeseamos', one of the many cafés packed with cyclists refuelling after their own rides. A coffee and a pastry felt well-earned.

In my opinion, the Pinos Loop is a must-ride if you’re in Calpe. It’s got everything, scenic climbs, fast descents, and a mix of well-known and quieter roads. If you want a route that offers a challenge without the crowds of Coll de Rates, this is one to add to your list."

Three image collage, cyclist riding away, a tabletop of coffees and pastries and mountainous landscape shot

Sa Calobra: The Ultimate Benchmark by Gareth Winter

Some climbs have history. Others have hype. Sa Calobra has both. A perfect ribbon of tarmac draped over Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains, it’s an obsession for cyclists chasing personal bests.

This is a climb that starts at the bottom… literally. You descend first, winding through 26 switchbacks before hitting the small port where there’s only one way out: up. No shortcuts, no easy escapes. Just you, your bike, and 9.4km of relentless climbing at an average 7%.

Pacing is everything. Start too hard, and you’ll pay for it when the gradient bites. Hold too much back, and you’ll finish wondering if you could’ve gone faster. The trick? Keep it smooth, manage your effort, and save something for the final 2km — where the road feels steeper, your legs feel heavier, and the famous Tie Knot bridge reminds you why this climb is legendary.

But it’s not just about the time. It’s the feeling — the quiet moments before the effort, the rhythm of each switchback, the satisfaction of conquering one of cycling’s most iconic climbs.

Sub-30? Sub-40? Just getting to the top? Whatever your goal, Sa Calobra gives you the perfect test. The only question is — how fast can you go?

Two images collage: Male cyclist in black kit, cycling on mountain roads

Three image collage: Female cyclist with mountain behind, quaint town street and landscape shot

Coll de Rates - Costa Blanca by Rianne Vermeij

One of my favourite cycling routes here in the Costa Blanca is this stunning loop up Coll de Rates and Sa Creueta.

Starting in Moraira, a charming seaside village, the route begins with the beautiful 4km climb of La Fustera. As you climb, you’ll have beautiful views over Calpe, making the climb very enjoyable. After reaching the top, you’ll cycle through Benissa before descending into the picturesque Xalo valley. From here, you can already spot Coll de Rates, one of the region’s most popular climbs.

Once you reach Parcent, you turn left, marking the start of the Coll de Rates climb. It’s a steady climb with rewarding views along the way. At the summit, you can take a moment to enjoy the scenery before continuing towards Tàrbena and Sa Creueta. This is one of my favourite roads, it's always super quiet, almost no cars and the views are beautiful. There’s still some climbing to do until you reach Sa Creueta at 780m, but the effort is well worth it.

From here, it’s mostly a descent back into the valley. On the way back you’ll pass through some charming villages before a short climb to Senija and back to Benissa. The final section is the descent down La Fustera, a smooth and fast ride that takes you straight back to Moraira.