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As this is the place to gain knowledge for everything in life, I need some help.
My wife has a job in Villamartin, south of Alicante and north of Cartagena. We need to be within half an hour of there for the commute but while we've not visited there, it doesn't sound like us: a golf resort with lots of Brits! Ideally we would be further inland, among fewer Brits and more mountains. We have young children so don't want to be too far away from where mum works and where they would go to school.
Where are the best trails nearby? We have family further north near Pinoso so know that area and the coast around Guardamar etc but unfortunately have no clue of how it is further south.
Thanks very much in advance.
No idea of the area sorry, but Wikiloc will come in handy. There seems to be plenty going on if you google 'btt Murcia' or 'btt Villamartín'.
TBH the idea of living in a pace like that gives me the willies. Murcia is probably too far to commute from, but I bet there are some amazing little villages around there if you don't mind being a bit isolated.
Don´t know Villmartin as I live further south in Velez-Blanco. Have ridden Sierra Espuna which is not far away and a lot of the riding is around El Berro. Some big riding there, Steve Wade of Orange fame lives in the area and it´s where some of the bikes were/are developed. Also Sierra de Marina Alta is good riding. Try and get hold of the Trailrider Guide Spain published by revolution will give you an idea of the riding available, it´s endless Tbf . I´m sure there will be some small quiet villages further into the sticks but within commutable distance. Get a cheap flight and hire a car and have a look around nearby areas. Rural Spain is amazing.
Magic, thanks very much. I shall. We've been nearby a lot and I've been asking family in Pinoso too. My idea of Spain is more what you suggest - rural Spain integrating where possible amongst Spaniards - I've always found them to be friendly and I love it. Very much appreciated.
I've ordered that book too! Thanks!
We have a place in Villamartin that was left to us by my wifes Mom. I like the area as it's fairly quiet unless you go down to the square. It is very quiet out of season. Lots of nice restaurants. There is a huge expat population but not only Brits. Plenty of other nationalities as well. We normally fly into Murcia Airport and it's about a 20 minute drive to where the house is. Bear in mind that Murcia airport is not really Murcia. Drive is along a well maintained motorway. L
.There are loads of really nice places to live around Villamartin. I would recommend you take some time and go and have a good look round. A lot of the of the Urbanisations are pretty deserted out of season. It is also very very dry. Like a desert.
Not much mountain biking there but the mountains are not to far a drive. Road riding is great and there are pretty good local clubs. Car drivers seem to show a lot more respect to riders than here.
PM me if you want to know more as I know the area fairly well but have not really ridden there
That's hugely helpful, thank you. PM sent.
I am a bit further north in Denia, a friend lived in Villamartin and the comments re the square and expats ring true. Depending on what sort of life you want it is q easy to avoid the Brits in any town, just avoid the english bars.
Good luck with the move, pm me for any info.
Thanks very much for your help. Things have now changed and there's the chance of a job in either Villamartin or Murcia so we have to work out which is best! Not the worst dilemma I realise!