Why this ride
254 km from Montblanc to Montblanc, 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
Mas del Gran 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. Mas del Gran
Montblanc is a walled medieval town in the Conca de Barberà, a broad basin of vineyards in inland Catalonia, and it is one of the best-looking small towns in the country. According to local legend, it is where Saint George killed the dragon, which is why Catalonia's patron saint is honoured here with a medieval week every year. The ramparts, with their towers and gates, are largely intact, and walking the streets inside is a pleasure. A few kilometres away, in the hills near Vimbodí, the Cistercian monastery of Poblet, a royal pantheon and one of the great monasteries of Europe, is on the World Heritage list and well worth a visit.
Read the complete Mas del Gran write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Mas del Gran 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 52 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 Mas del Gran.
5. Mas del Gran
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Mas del Gran write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Mas del Gran. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Mas del Gran to Abric de Gallicant
Mas del Gran → Abric de Gallicant is 52 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 76 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 76 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Abric de Gallicant to Mas del Gran
back through Abric de Gallicant → Mas del Gran is 52 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.