Stage 1. Requena/Villargordo del Cabriel
77 kilometers. 1,360 positive meters.
The medieval town of Requena is a relevant town to start a cycling adventure in the highlands of the Valencian interior, the former border between the kingdoms of Valencia and Toledo, with a customs and free port in the 13th century that generated good income from the trade of goods. on the limits of Castile. And it is still a lively and commercial place, the surroundings of Avenida del Arrabal and Plaza del Portal at dusk have a charming bustle. La Villa is the historic neighborhood of Requena, it concentrates centuries of history, art and monumentality, it was declared a Historical-Artistic Site in 1966. The Medina preserves the layout of Arab origin, the streets are intricate and narrow around the old Muslim fortress, it has remains of walls, portals and evocative corners. The start of the track is near the center, at the ring road roundabout where Avenida de Valencia ends and the N-322 begins. At the side pedestrian crossing there are the trail signs PR-CV 419 Río Magro and Santa Catalina that lead to the Turia-Cabriel Natural Trail along the side of some sports facilities. At the El Pontón bridge, on the N-322, the section called the “Cabriel sector” of the Natural Trail begins.
The first ten kilometers of the cycling trip reveal the distinction of contrasts that will mark the route in this new gravel adventure. The Magro River Rambla is a small jungle of reeds, reeds, willows, poplars and reeds with disturbing passageways because it seems that the path could disappear at any moment, a challenge for the gravel bike. The path winds along the riverbed, avoiding giant strains of grass and small slides that force you to maintain concentration on driving at all times. Cyclability is acceptable except for some puddled steps in the seasonal river bed when there is humidity and a couple of sections on the side slopes that test riding skills and continuity of the path. The milestones of the Natural Trail leave no room for doubt, it is always inside the boulevard. The fun ends in the town of San Juan, one of the oldest villages in Requena. The path passes through one of the eyes of the centenary bridge of the Magro River, a beautiful work of local civil architecture built in 1917, and shortly after it leaves the rambla to continue the journey through the sea of vines of La Plana. The route surrounds the facilities of a winery and begins a very enjoyable journey along the old Camino Real from Castilla to Valencia, a historic road, commercial and livestock route known as the Cañada de Cuenca or Ruta de la Lana. The gravel flies along these agricultural roads, the slopes are few and the dirt road is impeccable.