Why this ride
From Montblanc it runs 254 km to Montblanc; allow about 4 h 22 of riding. On the way it passes Abric de Gallicant, Albi II / Balma dels Punts and back through Abric de Gallicant. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Abric de la Baridana II and Albi II / Balma dels Punts
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 254 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 22
- 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: planning record, not independently verified geometry.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distances and riding times are planning figures. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Abric de la Baridana II
Montblanc is the kind of small walled town that Catalonia does so well, and the story it tells about itself is the legend of Saint George, Sant Jordi, who is said to have killed the dragon here before rescuing the princess. Every Catalan knows the tale, and on 23 April, when people exchange roses and books, Montblanc is the place where the legend is celebrated with most conviction. Its medieval walls, with thirty-odd towers, still circle the old centre, and the town sits in the Conca de Barberà, a basin of vineyards between the coast and the hills of Prades. The Abric de la Baridana II lies eight kilometres away in the broken country of the Serra de Prades.
Read the complete Abric de la Baridana II write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric de la Baridana II is where the day begins. Next is Abric de Gallicant.
2. 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 comes up about 51 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 128 km into the recorded legs you reach Albi II / Balma dels Punts. Next is back through Abric de Gallicant.
4. back through 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 through Abric de Gallicant, late in the day. Next is Abric de la Baridana II.
5. Abric de la Baridana II
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Abric de la Baridana II 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 la Baridana II. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Abric de la Baridana II to Abric de Gallicant
Abric de la Baridana II → Abric de Gallicant is 51 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Abric de Gallicant to Albi II / Balma dels Punts
Abric de Gallicant → Albi II / Balma dels Punts is 78 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Albi II / Balma dels Punts to back through Abric de Gallicant
Albi II / Balma dels Punts → back through Abric de Gallicant is 78 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Abric de Gallicant to Abric de la Baridana II
back through Abric de Gallicant → Abric de la Baridana II is 51 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.