Mozárabe Bike Race

The Mozárabe Bike Race is a mountain-bike race starting and finishing in the city of Almería, in southern Spain. The most recent edition took place on Saturday 11 April 2026, with the start at 08:00 from the Ballesol car park. It is aimed at riders who want a demanding day on dry, rugged Andalusian terrain.

Routes and distances

The 2026 edition was billed by the organisers as a 100% Almería route, with both start and finish in the city. The course covered 70 km of mountain-bike terrain with about 2,000 metres of positive elevation gain, so solid fitness and good bike-handling skills were needed. The track published beforehand was indicative only: the official track was sent to participants by email a few days before the race.

E-MTB bikes were accepted in 2026 and had their own classification.

Registration

For the 2026 edition, entries opened on 1 November 2025 at 10:00 through the TuCarrera platform, and a place could also be requested by emailing the organisers. The date and registration details for the next edition have not been announced yet, so check the official website for updates.

Why race it

The event keeps its focus on mountain-bike racing in the arid landscapes around Almería rather than on mass participation. Starting and finishing in the city makes logistics simple for riders arriving from elsewhere, and the separate e-MTB classification opens the race to a wider range of entrants.

Where to stay

With an 08:00 start in Almería itself, sleeping in the city the night before means no early transfers, an easy bib and bike check, and a short roll back to your room once the dust has settled. Staying in the city centre also puts the old town’s cafés and tapas bars within walking distance for the post-race refuel, while the beach resorts along the bay offer a slower, more restorative option for riders making a holiday of it.

Hotel Torreluz Centro – Almería, about 2 km from the start. A modern, 31-room hotel renovated in 2022, in the commercial and historic heart of the city. Its Silver-rated cyclist centre holds up to 20 bikes with individual electric charging points, and comes with a workshop, air pumps and a washing area, handy for getting a muddy MTB race-ready. Breakfast is buffet-style, and a picnic service is available for packing food.

Hotel Nuevo Torreluz – Almería, about 2 km from the start. Next door to its sister hotel on Plaza Flores, this larger 97-room property offers the same Silver-rated cyclist centre (20 bikes, e-bike charging points, workshop and washing area), plus laundry for your kit and a fitness area. A solarium-spa is available for a supplement, and the on-site Andalusian taberna serves meals year-round, a convenient spot for carb-loading.

Senator Playadulce Hotel – Aguadulce, about 12 km from the start. This 4-star beachfront hotel on the Aguadulce promenade has a secure bike storage room and a tool kit for last-minute set-up, plus bike rental and a menu geared to cyclists. A spa, pool and a 200-metre swimming canal make it a good choice for riders who want proper recovery after 2,000 metres of climbing.

Hotel Bahía Serena – Roquetas de Mar, about 21 km from the start. A family-friendly, Silver-certified hotel a few metres from the beach, with a large cycling centre, repair facilities, bike storage, bike rental and laundry. A massage service and a heated pool help tired legs, and it also offers luggage transport, route information and indoor trainers. Good value for riders who want to pair the race with extra days in the saddle.

Protur Roquetas Hotel & SPA – Roquetas de Mar, about 21 km from the start. A 5-star, Silver-certified beachfront hotel with a bicycle centre, bike rental, repair tools and a bike wash. The spa and all-inclusive service make it a comfortable base for a longer cycling holiday around the race, with route information on hand.

Event weekend is the busiest time for Almería’s accommodation, so book early to secure your room and bike storage, and browse more cycling-friendly accommodation to compare options.