London,
04
March
2020
|
12:33
Europe/Amsterdam

THE RUTA VIA DE LA PLATA NON STOP RETURNS SEEING RIDERS CYCLE THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF SPAIN

From 03 to 07 June 2020, the Ruta Via de la Plata Non Stop (RVP Non Stop) returns for its second edition seeing cyclists traverse the entirety of Spain in a randonneuring style cycling event. The RVP Non Stop will take place with the support of the Cooperation of the Network of Towns on the Via de la Plata and has been scheduled to coincide with the full moon of that month providing optimal lighting conditions for cyclists.

Starting in Gijón, Asturias, and finishing in Carmona, Andalucía, competitors are challenged to cover the 1,000 kilometres either individually or in relays. The Via de la Plata route has an accumulated height difference of over 12,000 metres and the organisers, the Cycling Tourism Federation, only allow for a maximum time of 100 hours for individual riders and 75 hours for relay teams.

The Via de la Plata is an ancient Roman route that crosses the western side of the Iberian Peninsula from north to south passing through four autonomous communities (Asturias, Castilla y León, Extremadura and Andalucía). The event itself will take place in a linear format consisting of eight sections. At the end of each section there is a compulsory checkpoint where teams participating in relays must change rider. There are also two other ‘secret’ checkpoints where it is compulsory for riders to have their route card stamped and which have been implemented to stop participants going off course. The route will not be signposted as cyclists will instead be provided with GPS tracking in order to stay on course.

For a number of years the Cooperation of the Network of Towns on the Via de la Plata has been promoting the route as an ideal route for cycling enthusiasts. Many towns and villages on the route are steeped in culture and history making them the perfect pit stop to refuel with some traditional tapas and a cold beer. The Cooperation of the Network of Towns has also launched a microsite (www.larutaenbici.com/en) which contains useful information for travellers interested in travelling the historic route on two wheels, either by motorbike or bicycle.

Registration for this year’s RVP Non Stop is now open and gives cycling lovers a chance to take in the numerous archaeological ruins, important cultural, artistic and ecological wealth as well as sample the evolving Spanish gastronomy as riders cross between autonomous communities.

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For more information on the RVP Non Stop event, please visit www.rvpnonstop.com/index.php/en

For more information on the Via de la Plata route, please visit www.rutadelaplata.com/en

To head to the microsite with further cycling information on the Via de la Plata, please visit www.larutaenbici.com/en