2 min read Spain Winter/Spring 2026

Day 27: South of el Campello (Cycle)

The route:

South of el Campello
=> el Campello
=> Argües de Busot
=> Relleu

=> Sella
=> A wee bit north east of Relleu

=> Port d' / puerto de El Callao (high point of the day: 890 metres)

=> Torremanzanas / La Torre de les Maçanes
=> Jijona / Xixona
=> Busot
=> el Campello
=> South of el Campello!

Mostly the route was good. However, shortly after passing through Sella, I took a left turn on what a thought was going to be a paved single track road and, mostly it was for 2/3 of it's length. Unfortunately, 1/3 was in a "mal estado" and "muy empinado" (with gradients ranging from about 16% to 20% or so). Much of the surface was covered in small gravel chips, and in places broken up.

Unfortunately, one section was particularly bad, whilst simultaneously having a gradient of about 20%. So, rather than risk a fall, I stopped cycling and walked the short section of camino en MUY MAL estado. The problem then became getting started again. The steepness of the gravelled road was such that as I attempted to set off the back wheel spun without gaining any traction: almost resulting in a falling off bike incident.

Fortunately, I only needed to walk about 100 to 200 metres as the gradient reduced to roughly 16% (as reported by the Garmin as I rode off) and I was able to gain traction and pedal onwards and upwards!

Here, are a couple of photos taken shortly after I'd resorted to walking:

  Image 1  Image 2 
 

Otherwise, ignoring the chilled feet that didn't return to any semblance of normal temperature until close to the ride's end, the ride was enjoyable (I'd previously ridden most of the route previously!) .

Also, at ride's end, my Garmin (navigational aid) informed that I'd broken this year's "personal records" for:

  • Furthest Distance: 102 kilometres

  • Most Ascent: 1989.0 metres

  • Fastest 40km: 1:20:26 (hrs:min:sec)

  • Distance driven: 0

  • Distance cycled: 102 kilometres

  • Weather: Cloudy until Relleu, then mostly sunny. Windy from the west. T's: Starting at 9°C, mostly 10 - 12°C in the mountains, about 17°C when I returned to the coast. As for the future, BIG WINDS ARE FORECAST!

Today's route: