Desafío 10 Picos Sierra Espadán 2027

Cork oak woods, narrow roads winding between red sandstone ravines and ten climbs linked through the heart of the Serra d'Espadà Natural Park: the Desafío 10 Picos Sierra Espadán is one of the toughest and most beautiful gran fondo rides in the Valencia region. It starts in Onda and offers a full day in the mountains for endurance cyclists, with the safety of partly closed roads. General information: - Date: Saturday 2027-05-15. - Edition: the 2026 rules call it the 6th and the website announced it as the 7th, so 2027 would be the 7th or 8th; worth confirming. - Start and finish: Calle Luxemburgo 11, Onda (Castellón). - Start: 08:30 in the previous edition, with the finish closing at 15:30. - Long route: about 134.7 km with about 3,300 m of elevation gain. There is a short option with a checkpoint at Alcudia de Veo (km 65.3), chosen when registering. - Format: non-competitive gran fondo, on the UCI "Cycling for All" calendar, with chip timing. - Places: 1,200. - Organiser: Club Ciclista Demarrage Valencia. Why it is special: - It links ten climbs through the Serra d'Espadà, including the Eslida climb and the Alto de Almedíjar, with a timed hill climb at Almedíjar. - Roads are partly closed to traffic, with a Guardia Civil safety convoy. - After the ride there is a big communal meal in the Fan Zone for all participants. - There is a VIP package with a private area, breakfast, recovery and an exclusive start corral. Course: about 134.7 km with about 3,300 m of elevation gain through the Serra d'Espadà. There are aid stations at Almedíjar (km 50.5), Alcudia de Veo (km 65.3), Matet (km 80.4) and Torralba del Pinar (km 108.8). The courses, profile and track are on the official website. Timetable: in the previous edition the start was at 08:30. Riders passing Alcudia de Veo after 11:45 had to head to the finish, and the finish closed at 15:30. The organiser will confirm the 2027 times. There is a VIP corral and a mass start for everyone else. Registration and prices: registration is online only at la10picos.com, with no race-day entries. In the previous edition it opened in July and closed five days before the ride, with tiered prices: - Federated riders: €47 to €75. - Non-federated riders: €59 to €87. - VIP: €150. There are discounts for groups of five or more. Non-federated riders without a licence can pay €20 insurance when collecting their bib. Bib pickup: in the previous edition it was on Friday from 17:00 to 20:00 and on Saturday from 07:00 to 08:00, at Calle Luxemburgo 11 in Onda. Someone else can collect it with a copy of your ID and licence, if you have one. You must upload your federation licence to the platform by the stated date. There is no expo as such, but the Fan Zone is the hub of the day. Services: - Event jersey, mandatory for the whole route. - Finisher medal. - Four aid stations and a final meal in the Fan Zone. - Courtesy mechanical assistance, support cars and three ambulances with a doctor. - Chip timing and a timed hill climb. Tips: carry spares and be self-sufficient, as the mechanics do not cover punctures. Pace yourself: with 3,300 m of climbing, the second half is as demanding as the first. Bib exchange: the rules allow a name change (transfer of the entry) for €3 until about five days before, paying the price in force at that time. Refunds are only available with the optional cancellation insurance, and there are no official waiting lists. Alternatives to get a bib: register early for the cheapest tiers and join the waiting list on Bibready with a bib alert. As transfers are allowed, a bib exchange on Bibready is a good option within the deadline. FAQ: - When is it? On 2027-05-15. - How long is it? About 134.7 km with 3,300 m of climbing. - Is there a short option? Yes, with a checkpoint at Alcudia de Veo. - Can I transfer my bib? Yes, for €3 within the deadline. - Do I need a licence? If you are not federated, you must pay the day insurance.