From a crazy idea to a legendary route (2001 - 2003)

In 2001, our first president, José Peinado, he came up with the idea of organising
a cycle touring route through the Pata del Caballo. That first edition of the
Route “Pata del Caballo” (Horse's Leg)”, The project, set up almost as a family, with letters sent to clubs
from all over Andalusia and the registrations attended by telephone in his own house, gathered no less than
that 263 participants. A real milestone for a first time.

The City Council collaborated from the start, providing sandwiches and lunch, and from the
second edition the organisation moved to El Cañoñazo Cycling Club together with the
Town Hall. The first three routes were entirely cycle touring, non-competitive and free of charge,
with refreshments and a final meal for everyone.

Already in the fourth edition times began to be taken and trophies handed out, but the essence
cyclotourist was never lost: the aim was always for the participant to enjoy the route.
over and above pure competition.

Growth, federation and major events

Over the years, the Route has grown in kilometres, services and participants.
In the fifth issue a small fee began to be charged and the first
online registrations, in addition to offering for the first time the official jersey of the Route.
Later, the timing was changed to chip timing and the race was federated, with judges.
of the Andalusian Cycling Federation.

The layout evolved, always with the same philosophy: to reconcile the beauty of the landscape with the
landscape with the toughness of the route. A large part of the route runs through the
Pata del Caballo National Game Preserve, with its ravines, broken tracks and panoramic views.
that have become a hallmark of their identity.

This growth was reflected in the number of registrations, reaching figures in excess of
2,000 participants and hosting some of the most important events in the calendar
MTB:

• Andalusia Cup (2007).
• Andalusian Championship MTB Marathon (2008, 2021).
• Spanish Open Marathon MTB (2009, 2010, 2018, 2023).
• Spanish Championship MTB Marathon (2010, 2011, 2014).
• UCI MTB Marathon Series (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022).
• Andalusian Mountain Bike Marathon Ranking (2024).

In 2014, during the Spanish Championships, a record number of
2,250 participants, consolidating the
Sierra de Paterna Route as a national reference of the MTB marathon.

The secret: a people committed to their Route

If there is one thing that defines the Ruta Sierra de Paterna, it is the atmosphere. More about
three hundred volunteers work every year in a selfless way, getting wet,
getting more dust and mud than the cyclists themselves, taking care of crossings and refreshment posts,
showers, race bibs... They are, quite literally, the soul of the Route.

From early morning, the Florencia Monge street is full of people watching the start of the race. The village
The entire population goes out the door of their homes during the neutralised section and, once in the mountain range, always
there is someone behind every corner to cheer when the strength is failing.

The climax comes on the final ascent up the Buenavista Street,
the famous «Pinguete»a ramp around 20 % flanked by a walkway
of people, in the purest style of the great mountain stages. Here the question is almost obligatory:
«Who sets foot on the ground with that crowd cheering you on?»

From the Sierra de Paterna Route to the Paterna Bike Marathon

From 2019 onwards, the organisation of the Route will be handed over to the Paterna del Campo Town Council,
maintaining the support and collaboration of the El Cañoñazo Cycling Club in tasks such as
signposting, provisioning and volunteer management.

Paterna Bike Maratón takes up all this heritage: the respect for the mountains, the philosophy of enjoyment
The main focus is on the care of the participants and the festivities shared with the people.
Our aim is to continue to write chapters in this history, offering an experience of
MTB marathon to the ground we walk on and the fans that surround us.

Milestones of the Route (2001 - 2024)

Here are some of the most outstanding years and editions of the Ruta Sierra de Paterna:

• 2001 - 2003 - Pata del Caballo« cycle touring routes (52-65 km, up to 607 participants).
• 2004 - The official birth of the Sierra de Paterna Route, first competitive edition (72 km) with a short route.
• 2005 - 2006 - The route has more than a thousand participants and is part of the 1st Provincial Mountain Bike Circuit of Huelva.
• 2007 - Andalusia MTB Marathon Cup and prize for the Best Provincial Sports Event in Huelva.
• 2008 - I Campeonato de Andalucía de Maratones BTT (Andalusian MTB Marathon Championship) and award for the Best Sports Volunteer in the province.
• 2009 - Final of the Open de España de Maratón BTT.
• 2010 - 2011 - Spanish Marathon MTB Championships, with mentions for the Best Organisation of a cycling event.
• 2014 - Spanish Marathon MTB Championship, with 2,250 participants.
• 2017 - 2019 - UCI MTB Marathon Series and consolidation in the Provincial Circuit of Huelva.
• 2021 - Andalusian Championship in the midst of the pandemic, with participation limited to 500 members.
• 2022 - 2024 - UCI Marathon Series, Spanish Cup and Andalusian MTB Marathon Ranking.

Acknowledgements

The story you have just read would not be possible without the work of hundreds of volunteers,
of an entire town that is committed to its marathon and, most especially, of the
El Cañoñazo Cycling Club, who promoted and cared for the Sierra de Paterna Route during the
almost two decades.

If you want to learn more about the history of the Ruta, you can visit the club's website:

clubcanonazo.com/rutas_sierra_paterna