Earlier this year Melanie Alexander and Matt Page raced in the arduous, adventurous Andalucia Bike Race, representing Bike Magic in the mixed team category. The coverage of the event by Matt and Mel was superb, as was the official coverage, with fantastic video recaps of the stages and inspiring photos. It was enough to make any rider want to give multi-stage racing a go.

Mel apparently couldn’t get enough and in the next event, set to take place on 23-28 February 2014, Mel will once again be beaming back reports on her progress. We can’t wait. The course maps have just been released and you can now study them below to get an idea of just how far riders will have to race and the challenges they may have to face along the way.

Click here to watch the full highlights video from Andalucia Bike Race 2013 and scroll through the 2014 stage maps below.

If you like the look and sound of what you see, you’ll be happy to know there are still spaces available to enter! You can do so by clicking over to the Andalucia Bike Race website.

STAGE 1 – Jaén.

Distance: 60,1 Km.
Climbing: 1.980 m.
Start & finish: IFEJA. Provincial Fairs and Exhibitions Ground of Jaén.

The opening stage starts with a long stretch of road and track along olive groves in order to stretch the massive peloton as it moves towards Sierra Mágina. Once Mancha Real has been left behind, the riders hit a set of unbelievable singletracks. They then reach Pegalajar and ride a loop along its fascinating surroundings before heading to the decisive and endless climb of the day to the top of San Cristóbal, from where they descend into town.

STAGE 2 – Jaén.

Distance: 59,0 km.
Climbing: 2.110 m.
Start & finish: IFEJA. Provincial Fairs and Exhibitions Ground of Jaén.

Although being short, it is both technically and physically demanding. The first climb ends with an amazing singletrack with several switchbacks and amazing views, to the top of the Aire mountain pass. The downhill combines fast tracks and flowy singletracks. The second major climb starts along a firewall which turns into a network of singletracks inside a forest, until it reaches the top of La Mella and having crossed El Neveral. The riders will then descend back to town and rapidly back to the finish line.

STAGE 3 – Andújar.

Distance: 70,6 km.
Climbing: 1.940 m.
Start & finish: Fairgrounds (Lisboa Avenue).

The new venue will captivate all the riders! The start follows the same trails that the riders will take back. The initial rolling hills help to spread out the competitors before they enter the Natural Park and start climbing to highest point of the stage. The views are once again astonishing! The route then narrows into singletracks and ends offering two endless downhills separated by a painful uphill.

STAGE 4 – Córdoba.

Distance: 72,6 Km.
Climbing: 1.560 m.
Start & finish: UCO. University of Córdoba. Rabanales campus.

The first day in Córdoba draws a big loop around Sierra Morena. A fast stage despite its distance, splashed with technical sections all the way. The riders face a first, rough and technical climb to Cerro Muriano. Then they pass along Las Jaras, Trasierra, Siete Fincas, Los Morales and Santo Domingo, before reaching the most fun singletracks of the day.

STAGE 5 – Córdoba.

Distance:  82,1 Km.
Climbing: 1.930 m.
Start & finish: UCO. University of Córdoba. Rabanales campus.

The route starts climbing progressively out of town and into Sierra Morena, mixing trails, pavement and singletracks which even force to hike the bike. The reward comes at the top, when the riders take a long and winding downhill back down to town. They then ride a flat stretch alongside a water channel before starting another gradual climb into the woods, where riders will face all sorts of trails before taking the long downhill to Los Morales. The last part of the stage joins several singletracks that everyone will enjoy, no matter if they go up or down.

STAGE 6 – Córdoba.

Distance: 55,5 Km.
Climbing: 1.280 m.
Start & finish: UCO. University of Córdoba. Rabanales campus.

Not because it is the last and shortest stage, it will be easy! The first kilometres have two rideable “walls” to calm down the last day’s euphoria. Some rolling trails lead into the second major climb, to Cerro Muriano, which ends with a stretch of abandoned railway. The downhill is long, rocky and tricky; it was climbed on the fourth stage. A stretch of pavement serves to prepare for the last piece of excitement. After riding along a valley’s singletrack, a rough uphill force the riders to hike their bikes – then it’s all about flow! A set of fun trails and singletracks, some of which will have been ridden in opposite direction the previous days, will drive the riders to the last finish line with a smile on their face.