Why this ride
184 km from Alforja to Alforja, about 3 h 25 of riding. The stops in between: Cova de les Creus, Albi II / Balma dels Punts and back through Cova de les Creus.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Abric de Gallicant and Albi II / Balma dels Punts
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 184 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 3 h 25
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Abric de Gallicant
Alforja is a village on the southern edge of the Prades mountains, where the plain of the Camp de Tarragona meets the steep slopes of the Serra de l'Argentera and the Serra de la Mussara. The Abric de Gallicant lies in the hills near Alforja, Vilaplana and Ulldemolins, and it is one of the many prehistoric shelters in these mountains that form part of the UNESCO listing of Mediterranean rock art. The name means rooster's song, a poetic touch typical of Catalan place names. The paintings in this area are generally schematic, with simple figures and geometric shapes, and many shelters are protected by fences.
Read the complete Abric de Gallicant write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric de Gallicant is where the day begins. Next is Cova de les Creus.
2. Cova de les Creus
Montblanc is a walled town that looks almost too perfect, and then you realise it has been looking like this since the fourteenth century. The Conca de Barberà is a basin of vineyards and cereal fields ringed by low mountains, and Montblanc sits at its heart with over a kilometre of medieval walls, towers and gates still standing. The town claims to be the setting for the legend of St George and the dragon, and each April it celebrates the festival of Sant Jordi, with a medieval week of costumes and markets.
Read the complete Cova de les Creus write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cova de les Creus comes up about 37 km into the recorded legs. Next is Albi II / Balma dels Punts.
3. Albi II / Balma dels Punts
L'Albi is a small village on a hill in Les Garrigues, the dry, olive-covered district southeast of Lleida, and its name appears in the archaeological record thanks to rock shelters in the area, including the Balma dels Punts, the shelter of the dots. The name suggests schematic paintings in the form of dots and lines, typical of the later phase of prehistoric art in the region, and the site is part of the UNESCO listing of Mediterranean rock art. The shelters are small and fragile, and some can only be visited with a guide, so check with the town hall or a local interpretation centre before heading out.
Read the complete Albi II / Balma dels Punts write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 82 km into the recorded legs you reach Albi II / Balma dels Punts. Next is back through Cova de les Creus.
4. back through Cova de les Creus
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Cova de les Creus write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Cova de les Creus, late in the day. Next is Abric de Gallicant.
5. Abric de Gallicant
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Abric de Gallicant write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Abric de Gallicant. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Abric de Gallicant to Cova de les Creus
Abric de Gallicant → Cova de les Creus is 37 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Cova de les Creus to Albi II / Balma dels Punts
Cova de les Creus → Albi II / Balma dels Punts is 45 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Albi II / Balma dels Punts to back through Cova de les Creus
Albi II / Balma dels Punts → back through Cova de les Creus is 64 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Cova de les Creus to Abric de Gallicant
back through Cova de les Creus → Abric de Gallicant is 37 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.