News
Tour Review #5 – Spain's Coast to the Clouds Tour 2024
Capture the Essence of Spain’s LandscapesJune 15–22, 2024 · 8 Days · Calpe → Granada → Málaga From the sparkling Mediterranean coastline to the rugged heights of the Sierra Nevada and the sun-baked beauty of Andalucía, the Spain Coast to the Clouds Tour delivered a week of pure riding magic. Three bases, three regions, three flavours of Spain — all tied together by world-class climbs, sunny skies, rich culture and unforgettable food.Across seven riding days, the group covered everything from hairpin mountain passes to coastal cliff roads, canyon climbs, volcanic-looking rock formations and ancient hilltop towns. Spain revealed itself in full colour — orange groves, limestone peaks, whitewashed villages, and endless blue horizons. Here’s the full recap of an extraordinary week on two wheels. 📊 Total Distance & Elevation SummaryTotal Distance Ridden: 556 kmTotal Elevation Gained: 12,500 metres 📍 Our Three Cycling Bases1️⃣ Calpe – Mediterranean Cliffs & Coastal Classics - The perfect starting point for the tour: warm seas, iconic climbs like Col de Rates and Cumbre del Sol, and smooth roads winding through vineyards, valleys and whitewashed villages. 2️⃣ Granada – Gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains - Home to some of the toughest and most breathtaking climbs in Europe. The ascent toward Pico Veleta delivered high-altitude drama, rugged canyon scenery and cooler alpine air. 3️⃣ Málaga – Andalucía’s Rolling Ridges & Sunlit Summits - A vibrant coastal city with access to drier, rugged landscapes. Puerto del León and El Torcal showcased Andalucía’s dramatic geology and sweeping viewpoints. Climbs of Note:Calpe Region (Valencian Coast) Col de Rates Bernia Climb Guadalest Climb Confrides Pass Cumbre del Sol (Vuelta a España climb) Granada / Sierra Nevada Monachil Climb (steep, winding, canyon views) Güéjar Sierra Ascent El Dornajo Hoya de la Mora Pico Veleta (highest paved road in Europe – climbed to snow-line conditions) Málaga / Andalucía Puerto del León El Torcal Summit Loop (otherworldly rock formations) Almogía & Valle de Abdalajís rolling climbs Tour Highlights The Spain Coast to the Clouds Tour delivered a week of epic contrasts — from Mediterranean coastlines to soaring mountain passes and wild Andalusian landscapes. Starting in Calpe, riders tackled some of the region’s most iconic climbs, including Col de Rates, Bernia and the brutally beautiful Cumbre del Sol. Mornings rolled through citrus groves and vineyard valleys, while afternoons brought cliffside views and the charm of whitewashed villages. One client summed it up perfectly: “Spain doesn’t warm you up… it throws you straight into the good stuff!” Granada shifted the tour into high mountain mode. The group climbed through canyons and rugged Sierra Nevada foothills toward Hoya de la Mora, with many riders pushing as far up Pico Veleta as conditions allowed — an unforgettable ascent into thin air and lunar-like landscapes. The effort was big, but the reward was bigger. As one client said at the summit café: “This is the closest I’ve ever felt to riding above the world.” Evenings in Granada’s old quarter, surrounded by flamenco rhythms and Alhambra views, added cultural depth to the adventure. The final chapter unfolded in Málaga, where rolling countryside, sun-baked ridges and dramatic geological formations transformed every kilometre into a new discovery. The climbs to Puerto del León and the surreal summit of El Torcal delivered some of the best riding views in Andalucía. The descent into Valle de Abdalajís was a crowd favourite — fast, flowing and framed by golden rock. One client captured the mood of the final days: “Every day felt completely different, but every day felt like Spain at its best.” Across seven riding days, the group covered over 556 km and climbed more than 12,500 metres, but the numbers only scratch the surface of the experience. What truly defined this tour was the camaraderie, the shared laughs over tapas, the encouragement on long climbs, and the awe-inspiring landscapes that shifted with every region. In the end, the Coast to the Clouds Tour lived up to its name — a journey from the sea, through Spain’s heartlands, and into the mountains where clouds felt almost within reach.
Learn more
Tour Review #4 – Discover Mallorca 2024: The Island of a Thousand Switchbacks
June 6–14, 2024 — 8 Days of Sun, Switchbacks & Cycling BlissIf you close your eyes and imagine the perfect cycling island, chances are it looks a lot like Mallorca. Twisting Mountain roads. Sapphire-blue coastlines. Ancient stone villages. Smooth tarmac. Coffee that tastes like victory. From Alcúdia’s historic charm to Palma’s Mediterranean buzz, our 8-day Discover Mallorca Tour delivered everything we love about riding bikes in paradise. Here’s a full recap — with climbs conquered, kilometres logged, cafés discovered, and memories made. Tour Stats:Distance Conquered: 650 kmVertical Ascent Mastered: 12,175 m Tour Bases: 1️⃣ Alcúdia — The Northern Cycling Playground - A relaxed base with great cafés, restaurants and beautiful beaches for post-ride recovery.Vibe: Charming, historic, relaxed — the perfect place to warm into the week and tackle Mallorca’s iconic climbs. 2️⃣ Palma de Mallorca — The Vibrant Coastal Capital - Endless restaurants, bars, marinas and Mediterranean energy for evenings out. - A stunning contrast after alpine riding in the north. Vibe: Energetic, coastal, vibrant — the perfect finale base with culture, food and world-class coastal cycling. Each place gave us not only a bed to recover in, but also a flavour of Island life that made the experience richer.Climbs of Note:Northern Mallorca (Alcúdia Base) Sa Creueta Lookout (Day 1) Cap de Formentor Road (Day 1) Coll de Femenia (Day 2) Sa Calobra — descent + full ascent (Day 2) Sa Batalla (Day 2 return) Coll de Sóller (North Side) (Day 3) Puig Major (from Sóller) — highest paved road in Mallorca (Day 3) Orient Pass (Day 4) Honor Climb (Day 4) Western Mallorca (Palma Base) Galilea (optional but iconic) (Day 5) Andratx Coastal Rollers (Day 5) Coll de sa Gramola (Day 5) Coll de Valldemossa (optional warm-up) (Day 6) Coll de Sóller (South Side) (Day 6) Puig Major (second ascent) (Day 6) Sa Creu Lookouts (Day 7) Valldemossa Climb (Day 7) Tour Highlights The Discover Mallorca Tour delivered eight unforgettable days of riding through one of Europe’s most spectacular cycling landscapes. From the moment wheels rolled out of Alcúdia toward the Cap de Formentor lighthouse, the island came alive in full colour—endless blue water, cliff-edge roads, smooth switchbacks and warm early-summer sunshine shaping every kilometre. Riders quickly settled into the rhythm of Mallorca: climb, descend, café, repeat. As one client put it, “This place feels like it was engineered specifically for cyclists… every corner is a postcard.”The northern mountains set the tone early, with signature ascents like Femenia, Sa Batalla, Coll de Sóller and the iconic Sa Calobra. The hypnotic descent into the gorge followed by the 9.4 km climb back out became a badge of honour across the group. The queen stage to Puig Major added another layer of triumph, taking riders to the island’s highest paved point and into cool alpine air. Spirits stayed high thanks to perfectly timed stops in Lluc and Sóller—“Honestly, that coffee at the monastery tasted like liquid gold,” laughed one client. Shifting bases to Palma opened the door to Mallorca’s breathtaking west coast. The Andratx coastal rollers, the climb to Galilea, the winding road through Banyalbufar and the final ascent into Valldemossa delivered a new flavour of beauty—Mediterranean terraces, cliff-top villages and sparkling sea views at every bend. One client summed it up perfectly: “I’ve ridden all over Europe, but this coastline… nothing else touches it.” In total, the group rode roughly 650 km and climbed over 12,000 metres, but the numbers only tell part of the story. The true magic came from the camaraderie, the shared effort on long climbs, the laughter over dinners in Alcúdia and Palma, and the constant reminder of how extraordinary it is to explore the world by bike. Mallorca didn’t just meet expectations—it exceeded them at every turn. The final word belongs to one of the riders: “This wasn’t just a cycling tour. It was a dream week on two wheels.” Final Word Mallorca delivered in every way—big climbs, jaw-dropping coastal views, vibrant culture, and the kind of camaraderie only a week on the bike can create. one of our guest's summed it up best:“Mallorca is pure cycling joy — every climb, every corner, every coffee. An incredible week on two wheels.”
Learn more
Ride Review #3: Gran Stelvio 4800 – “A Stelvio Legend”
Bikey Tours' Review by The Goat is about the Gran Stelvio 4800: A ride into Legend. Learn more about this incredible ride in the Italian Alps and The Goat's experience of the Passo dello Stelvio triple in 2024, what he endured and why he loves this climb.
Learn more
Tour Review #3 – Slovenia · Austria · Italy (Dolomites) 2025 - 14 days of Alpine Magic
Tour Stats:Distance Conquered: 1295 kmVertical Ascent Mastered: 27,014 m Tour Bases:🏔 Kranjska Gora in Slovenia, with its emerald valleys and cobbled climbs🏞 Lienz in Austria, where the mighty Grossglockner awaited🌊 Corvara in Italy, the beating heart of the Dolomites.Each place gave us not only a bed to recover in, but also a flavour of alpine life that made the experience richer. Climbs of Note: Vršič Pass Mangart Saddle Grossglockner Edelweißspitze & Hochtor Tre Cime di Lavaredo Passo Giau and Valparola, Passo Fedaia, Passo Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, and Gardena - Sella Ronda New favourite: Alpe di Siusi, ❤️ Tour Highlights The tour began in Slovenia, rolling out of Kranjska Gora with fresh legs and high spirits. Almost immediately, the Vršič Pass tested our climbing rhythm with its cobbled switchbacks, and the Mangart Saddle stunned us with a road so dramatic it felt like riding through a film set — tunnels, cliffs, and a summit that seemed to touch the sky.Crossing into Austria, the gradients kicked up hard on the Wurzenpass, before we met the giant itself: the Grossglockner Edelweißspitze. This climb is a rite of passage for any cyclist, and standing on that summit after endless ramps and snow-capped views was nothing short of exhilarating. We returned the next day to tackle the Hochtor, giving us two days of Grossglockner glory that nobody will forget. After a well-earned rest day in Lienz, it was time to roll into Italy. And with that, the Dolomites opened their arms. Tre Cime di Lavaredo was first on the list — steep, savage, and humbling. Then came the flowing beauty of Passo Giau and Valparola, the raw power of Passo Fedaia, and the endless rhythm of the Campolongo. By the time we looped over Pordoi, Sella, and Gardena, it felt like we had ridden straight into a postcard — the kind you never want to send because you’d rather keep it for yourself. And then came our surprise favourite: Alpe di Siusi, with its quiet roads, green alpine pastures, and a serenity that wrapped up the Dolomite chapter perfectly. On the final day in Corvara, we spun out one last loop. The climbs were smaller, the pace was gentler, but the emotions ran high. There were hugs, handshakes, champagne corks, and a lingering sense that this journey had changed us all a little. Rider Voices “Mangart was otherworldly — the tunnels, the cliffs, the summit… it felt like riding into another dimension.” “I never imagined I’d conquer the Grossglockner, let alone twice in a days. That road is pure cycling history.” “Alpe di Siusi was the perfect finale. It’s not the hardest climb, but it’s the one I’ll remember most.” Final Word The Bikey Tours Slovenia–Austria–Italy 2025 adventure was more than just a ride through kilometres and vertical metres. It was a journey through cultures, landscapes, and friendships — a chance to sip espresso at altitude, share meals after monster climbs, and push ourselves further than we thought possible. This was a 14-day story written in switchbacks, laughter, and alpine sunsets. And as we close the chapter on 2025, one thing is certain: the mountains are already calling us back. Arrivederci, Servus, Nasvidenje… until 2026.
Learn more
Ride Review #2: Giro dei Tre Confini + Mangart Madness
Read The Goat's ride review of the Mangart Saddle - the highest paved road in Slovenia. This review provides all the need-to-knows of tackling the twisting roads, tunnels and steep inclines starting from Kranjska Gora and summiting at Mangart Saddle.
Learn more
Ride Review #1: Conquering Colle del Nivolet: Two Climbs, Two Stories
Bikey Tours' first Ride Review by The Goat is about the Colle del Nivolet Summit: Two Rides, Two Stories. Learn more about this incredible ride in the Italian Alps and The Goat's experience of the Colle del Nivolet in 2022 and 2024, what he experienced, where he stayed and why he loves this climb.
Learn more