Just returned from my annual cycling jaunt and as sometimes happens, we discovered an area that would be just fabulous on a motorbike.
We were based in Altea, shown on the map, and the area in question is everything to the north east of there.
Leaving Altea, you are immediately into exceptionally attractive mountain scenery. The roads are quiet, and almost nothing is straight or flat - they wind sinuously up the mountains through forests, past crags and rivers, eventually cresting through a saddle before descending on the other side.
The surfaces were all superbly maintained (you absolutely notice this when you're descending fast on a push bike) and well signed. There are sufficient roads to allow you to create many circuitous routes.
Every charming little village seems to have a restaurant for coffee and lunch stops, usually with astounding views.
Using Altea as a base was a great success too - it's shoreline strip has some absolutely brilliant restaurants at good prices. The steak tartare and Rioja evening at Felix's was particularly memorable. A swim in the sea was a bonus too - although Altea is only a short drive from Benidorm, it is NOTHING like it and really quite civilised.
So it you're looking at Spain, or passing this region, I'd certainly recommend stopping and spending some time here.
We were based in Altea, shown on the map, and the area in question is everything to the north east of there.
Leaving Altea, you are immediately into exceptionally attractive mountain scenery. The roads are quiet, and almost nothing is straight or flat - they wind sinuously up the mountains through forests, past crags and rivers, eventually cresting through a saddle before descending on the other side.
The surfaces were all superbly maintained (you absolutely notice this when you're descending fast on a push bike) and well signed. There are sufficient roads to allow you to create many circuitous routes.
Every charming little village seems to have a restaurant for coffee and lunch stops, usually with astounding views.
Using Altea as a base was a great success too - it's shoreline strip has some absolutely brilliant restaurants at good prices. The steak tartare and Rioja evening at Felix's was particularly memorable. A swim in the sea was a bonus too - although Altea is only a short drive from Benidorm, it is NOTHING like it and really quite civilised.
So it you're looking at Spain, or passing this region, I'd certainly recommend stopping and spending some time here.