Memories of a cycling holiday in Cambrils

Sylvain lives in Quebec, Canada, but he always thought about those days when he could take his bike and ride around Cambrils. For him, cycling wasn’t just a sport to stay in shape, but a way to take care of his health in retirement.

He considered himself an average cyclist and estimated he rode about 7,000 kilometers a year . “I rode my bike for pure pleasure,” he said, and what motivated him most was tackling the mountains surrounding Cambrils. He had discovered Cambrils a few years after cycling through the Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca, where he had spent six years exploring the island. He needed a change, and although his friends in Quebec spoke to him about Denia and Cambrils, when he tried Cambrils four years ago, he kept coming back.

On the other hand, there was Joris, a Belgian who came from a place where cycling was much more than a sport, almost a religion. He defined himself as “something competitive but with good vibes” and claimed that every good bike ride ended with a beer with friends.

Joris discovered Cambrils more than ten years ago . From his first visit, he was hooked on cycling and exploring the area. “I wasn’t one of those people who spent all day on the beach,” he said. “My first route was through the Serra de Llaberia, and I instantly fell in love.” So much so that he ended up buying a holiday home there and visiting several times a year, organizing get-togethers with cycling friends to ride together.”

When asked why he chose Cambrils for cycling, Sylvain replied that the Costa Daurada, and especially Cambrils and its surroundings, offered routes for all levels, with safe roads and drivers who were respectful of cyclists .

Joris added that the weather was also a strong point: although some days dawned windy, that wasn’t a problem. You could ride easy routes on the flat or seek out tougher climbs inland, and you always crossed paths with other cyclists, which meant you never felt alone.

Sylvain remembered that cycling through vineyards, almond trees, and orange groves connected you with nature . And after the route, there was nothing better than a good wine and delicious food. “Going out into the town, trying tapas, meeting people, and visiting their shops full of history was something I enjoyed every year.”

Regarding the seasons, he said spring and autumn were perfect for cycling. “The first six kilometers out of Cambrils can be a bit tough, but then come the climbs that really get you going.”

As for routes, Sylvain had several favorites starting and finishing in Cambrils, always with alternatives depending on his current physical condition:

• Coldejou, Marca, Falset, Porrera and return through Teixeta (77 km and 1226 meters)

• Llaberia round trip via Camí de Pratdip (85 km and 1378 metres) or with the option to Hospitalet (82 km and 1211 metres)

• Escornalbou: Vinyols, Ruidoms, Montbrió, Villanova, Escornalbou Castle, Argentera and return through Montbrió (60 km and 800 meters)

• Vinyols, Ruidoms, Les Borges, Maspujols, Alexia’s, Villaplana, Mussara and return through Alforja (77 km and 1256 meters)

• Climb to Teixeta and pass to Porrera, with return via Falset and Colldejou

• Vinyols, Ruidoms, Alforja, Portugal, Selva and return through Reus (62 km and 830 meters)

• Montroig, Coldejou, Marca, El Masroig, El Molar, El Lloar, Grataloops, Torroja del Priorat, Porrera and return through Teixeta (105 km and 1900 meters)

• Pratdip, C44, Tivissa, Serra d’Almos, Darmos, El Masroig, Marca and return via Colldejou (102 km and 1614 meters)

• Vinyols, Ruidoms, N420 to the roundabout towards Alexia’r, Villaplana, Selva, L’Albiol, crossing Mussara and returning to Alforja (94 km and 1428 meters)

Sylvain only had good things to say about Cambrils: its routes, the safety of the roads, the low traffic and the kindness of the people , who were always willing to lend a hand if you had any problems.

Joris concluded with a touch of mystery: “I would recommend it to other cyclists, but I’d like to keep this gem to myself, so it doesn’t get crowded…”

Cambrils has long been an ideal destination for cycling enthusiasts. Not only the Costa Daurada, but especially this municipality, has gained a good reputation among tourists who travel by bike to explore the area or prepare for their training sessions. The road connecting Cambrils with Montbrió has become a frequent destination for cyclists, both individually and in groups, often accompanied by a car. This reflects the area’s friendliness toward cycling enthusiasts.

From the Penya Ciclista Cambrils, they highlight how ideal the area is for cyclists: “Cambrils and its surroundings are perfect for enjoying cycling, both mountain biking, in short distances, and road cycling. In 20 kilometers we have mountains without losing sight of the sea. From Montbrió, traffic is reduced and we have access to areas like Falset and Priorat, ideal for riding and exploring. We also have other mountainous areas like Mussara or Prades, and, if you prefer, you can head south to ride kilometers on the flat,” says Juan.

The origins and cycling history of Cambrils

The first steps of cycling in Cambrils are linked to the club founded in Vinyols i els Arcs more than 40 years ago, Amics del Ciclisme de Vinyols . This club was the beacon of cycling activity in the area. Jordi Mariné , one of the most prominent cyclists, was born in this municipality and was an Olympian in Tokyo 1964. He also participated in the Tour de France and was president of the Catalan Cycling Federation . In Cambrils, Mariné also founded the Penya Cicloturista de Cambrils and his business, Bicicletes Mariné , continues to serve both locals and tourists.

Businesses related to cycle tourism in Cambrils

The cycling boom in Cambrils has led to the emergence of several businesses that complement the accommodation services.

In the center of the town, Rodabike is another example of a cycling business. It offers a space where you can enjoy a café, as well as a workshop and bicycle sales. Rodabike ‘s director, Laura Moreno, highlights the growth of cycling culture in Cambrils: “Due to its location, size, and services, we are the cycling hub of the Costa Daurada. We have everything close by: roads in perfect condition, low traffic, and a privileged environment,” she states. Furthermore, Rodabike offers bicycle rentals for exploring areas like Priorat, or even organizes group rides with included transfers.

Cambrils in major cycling competitions

Cambrils has never hosted a finish in the Vuelta a España, but it has witnessed several editions of the Volta a Catalunya. The first time the race came to Cambrils was in 1944 with a time trial won by Miguel Casas. The Volta would visit the town on five other occasions, the last in 2006, with victory for Luis Pérez. Cambrils also hosted a time trial in 1982, won by cyclist Alberto Fernández, a beloved name at the time.

Cambrils, a cycling destination par excellence

The municipality has solidified its reputation as an excellent destination for cycling tourism. Albert Balcells , CEO of Ocisport, also highlights the quality of the surroundings: “Cambrils has nearby mountain ranges, good trails, and paths that facilitate the creation of mountain bike routes. Furthermore, road cycling is ideal, with well-known and highly regarded mountain passes, making it an excellent option.”

In the heart of the Costa Daurada, Cambrils is one of the most representative towns of the Catalan coast, but with direct access to places of interest inland. For the sportsman looking for a pleasant environment, with everything at hand, Cambrils is located between the sea and an abundant and fertile plain around, the mountains nearby and with a sign “open for sport 365 days a year”.

Here you can enjoy an ideal climate during the twelve months of the year, with mild summers and winters, not very strident in temperatures, which allow you to enjoy all kinds of sports in a perfectly suitable municipality, with all the elements that define a solid sports culture: entities with tradition and recognition, facilities, hotels and businesses for athletes of all types and a calendar of events with a wide range of sports.

A walk through the sports facilities in Cambrils

The municipal environment of Cambrils has a map of sports facilities that opens the door to all kinds of sports.

The Cambrils soccer field is located in the Sports Zone, near the new train station, in a large and clear area, with enough space for three soccer fields with dimensions ranging from 105×68 meters to 91×62 meters. The facility is modern, less than fifteen years old and seats up to one thousand spectators.

Next to the three soccer fields, in the same Cambrils Sports Zone, the athletics track puts the focus on the most demanding training with a ring with eight lanes to compete, two areas for shot put, a cage for the hammer and discus, two long jump pits, a high jump area and a pole vault area. All complemented with a gymnasium and multipurpose room.

The Cambrils Sports Pavilion is a centrally located building with two covered pavilions and a synthetic surface for sports such as basketball, soccer and handball, not to mention its heated swimming pool in two versions, 25x16m and 16x8m, along with a gym and rooms for supervised activities.

In the Pinaret Park, Cambrils has its climbing wall, a 15-meter high wall with different degrees of difficulty. An archery range and a skatepark complete the visit.

Cambrils beach, a place to enjoy the sport

Cambrils facilities are close to the beach with the Streetball court that includes three 3×3 basketball courts plus another mini-basketball that puts sporting atmosphere in the middle of the Paseo de las Palmeras.

The beach is an asset as long as the municipality, highly appreciated for nautical activities but also for recreational activities linked to the sea. Among these spaces, it is interesting the concentration that occurs in the Platja del Regueral, nautical base of Cambrils, with other activities related to the sea, but also with the sand, especially beach volleyball, there we can enjoy tournaments such as university championships and championships of Catalonia, also in the Regueral beach you can play beach soccer matches, beach tennis and beach handball.

Natural and unique environments for running and cycling

For running lovers, apart from the athletics stadium, Cambrils offers a couple of very pleasant areas for running. The seafront of Cambrils is nine kilometers long, with a wide variety of landscapes and terrains, from terrazzo to land. Along the promenade there are training areas.

The other option is the Pinaret Park, which is more pleasant in the central hours of the day, as it is a park with a generous grove of trees. There are 48,000 square meters for a 2.3 kilometer circuit on a “friendly” surface for the runner as it is the land.

You will also be able to opt for stops in the calisthenics equipment areas along the promenade and other areas of the municipality to perform complementary exercises.

Surely in some of these scenarios the runner will come across cyclists, in fact the promenade has a bike path that extends to other areas of the municipality. Cambrils is in fact a real paradise for cyclists, the proximity routes in the municipal environment offer an extensive variety of trails and streams for mountain biking and for families or those who want to go out nearby.

For “gourmet cyclists”, lovers of long-distance cycling on the road, Cambrils is the real cycling hub of the Costa Daurada with a menu to suit all tastes. From Cambrils we have direct departure to the Priorat, a region of sublime landscapes and perfect roads to ride, the mountains of Prades and Mussara, hardness on the menu, and plains where to crush the time trial towards the Ebro Delta, in the south.

But the sporting landscape of Cambrils would not be complete if we do not take into account the sports entities of a wide variety of sports, from the best known and most popular to specific sports such as archery and even dance sports, with an annual event of international level that puts the town on the world map.