Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos - Sotosalbos, Memorial Nico Abad.
The Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos is a loop over the Sierra de Guadarrama and back: from the village square of Sotosalbos near Segovia over the Puerto de Navacerrada into the Madrid side, and over the Puerto de Navafría back into Castile. Two first-category passes, both reaching around 1,800 metres or more, and a field of at most 500 riders starting in memory of Nico Abad. Also known as Marcha La Nico, Memorial Nico Abad and Sotosalbos to Sotosalbos Cycle Tour.
Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start is at 08:30 on the Plaza Mayor below the Romanesque church of San Miguel. Along the N-110 and through Torrecaballeros the route reaches La Granja de San Ildefonso, after which the road climbs only gently at first. The Puerto de Navacerrada really begins at the Puente de los Mosquitos around kilometre 30: steep opening ramps of about twelve percent, then the hairpins of the Siete Revueltas and a long final straight to the summit at kilometre 37, the high point of the loop at a little over 1,850 metres.
After the descent into the Lozoya valley the Puerto de Navafría starts at Lozoya, kilometre 70: first through the hillside housing at seven to eight percent, then into oak and pine forest with the steepest ramps between kilometres three and four and a half of the climb, a short breather and a last hard series to the summit at kilometre 81, where the first feed station waits.
The last 50 kilometres are not a cruise. Quiet back roads lead past Pedraza, the rise to Arevalillo and rolling ground in the shade of the junipers take more out of the legs before the finish on the calle del Castillo in Sotosalbos. It is ridden in mid-July on open roads, with a 20 km/h minimum average and paella at the finish.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 5.5 | 1.2 km | 4.2 % | 7.2 % | +50 m | — |
| km 30.4 | 3 km | 7.5 % | 18.6 % | +220 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 33.6 | 2.4 km | 8.4 % | 23.3 % | +199 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 36.1 | 0.7 km | 10.7 % | 24.4 % | +75 m | — |
| km 70 | 5.9 km | 6.6 % | 18 % | +387 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 76 | 1.4 km | 7.6 % | 16.2 % | +102 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 77.7 | 3.1 km | 6.3 % | 16.9 % | +197 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 112.9 | 1.8 km | 3.6 % | 9.3 % | +65 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos.
Sit in early
The loop has two clear peaks and a lot of road in between. The first 30 kilometres to the Puente de los Mosquitos rise almost imperceptibly; riders who follow a fast group here reach the steep opening ramps of the Navacerrada with tired legs. Ride the lower part of the pass under control and save your strength for the hairpins and the long straight at the top.
Ration your effort
The decisive climb is the Navafría from kilometre 70, ridden after the long descent and more than three hours in. Its steepest section comes early; after that there is a short breather worth using before the last ramps.
Race the finale
The trap is the final 50 kilometres. On paper they look like the ride home, but the ups and downs around Pedraza and Arevalillo cost a lot in July heat. Eat and drink at the top of the Navafría even if you feel good.
Training plan for Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos: 12-week build
Build endurance
Expect five to seven hours; the organiser requires an average of at least 20 km/h, with the last riders expected around 15:00. The effort is a long aerobic day with two climbing blocks of 30 to 60 minutes each, both above 1,500 metres.
Train the climbs
Train long threshold climbs, ideally two in one ride with the second after three hours. Because both passes open with steep ramps, short, strong seated intervals belong in the plan too. The organiser recommends at least a 34x25 gear.
Ride race-specific
The descents from the Navacerrada into the Lozoya valley and from the Navafría are long and fast; confident cornering on mountain roads in open traffic is part of the preparation, as is riding by the traffic rules in a group.
Arrive fresh
In mid-July the Castilian plateau is hot while the passes near 1,800 metres are fresh in the morning. Practise fuelling in the heat and carry a vest for the first descent; there are only three feed stations, two of them drinks only.
Courses
Download the Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos - Sotosalbos, Memorial Nico Abad dynamically
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Everything about Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos - Sotosalbos, Memorial Nico Abad.
How long is Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos?
Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos is 133 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos have?
Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos has around 2,691 m of elevation gain over 133 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos?
Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos is classified as Mountainous, averaging 20.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 20% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 7% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos have?
The hardest climb of Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos starts at kilometre 70, runs for 5.9 km at an average of 6.6% and gains 387 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos a loop course?
Yes, Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos course?
Yes. The Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos?
Preparation for Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos should account for 133 km, 2,691 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos?
The pacing strategy for Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos should reflect 133 km, 2,691 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos - Sotosalbos, Memorial Nico Abad take place?
Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos - Sotosalbos, Memorial Nico Abad takes place on July 18, 2027.
Where does Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos - Sotosalbos, Memorial Nico Abad take place?
Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos - Sotosalbos, Memorial Nico Abad takes place in Sotosalbos, Spain.
How do I register for Marcha Cicloturista Sotosalbos?
Registration runs through the organiser: sotosalbos.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
