YOUR NEXT GREAT RIDE

VALENCIA, SPAIN

YOU’VE ALREADY BOOKED it, haven’t you? You haven’t? Well, don’t panic… you can probably just about get it sorted. What? Going to the final round of the Motogp season in Valencia, that’s what…

It helps that this year’s championship has been one of the most closely fought for years but even if the title isn’t decided at the last round (it was in 2015), it’s still one of the most compelling races to attend. It’s a great stadium for spectators, many riders approach battle with a one-last-push-for-glory attitude and the atmosphere among the fans is astonishing.

All of which is pretty secondary, really. Because what matters for us is the ride down — which can be, frankly, brilliant. You could rush down in three days from Calais, sitting on motorways, numbing mind and arse. Or you could do it properly, give yourself a week and enjoy it. Or, better still, take the Santander ferry on the Sunday before, then ride the most scenic route you can find across Spain, enjoying the sun.

Come to think of it, even if you don’t want to go to the race, a bit of Spanish winter sun sounds like a great idea. The average temperature in Valencia in November is 13-18°C — with much less chance of rain than we get at home.

WHEN TO GO: The Motogp race weekend starts on November 10, with the race on Sunday November 12. For info see www.motogp.com HOW TO GET THERE: For preference, it’s a ferry to northern Spain then a few days’ riding (Plymouth-santander sailing on November 5, Portsmouth-bilbao sailing on November 7). See www.brittany-ferries.co.uk for info. WHERE TO STAY: Booking late means you’re unlikely to get anywhere near Cheste, the suburb where the circuit is. If you can’t find a hotel in the city itself, consider Requena or Utiel, half an hour away on the A3 motorway. WHERE TO RIDE: Download our favourite route to Valencia at www.ride.co.uk/routes