WW 2026 Easter Trip

by Tony McCluskey · Published October 7, 2025 · Updated April 4, 2026

Update (4/4/2026): Truck Uploading @ 11am on Easter Monday 6 April in Willow Park School

The truck with your bikes, luggage, etc. returns earlier than planned from Denia and will be offloaded at Willow Park School on Monday at 11am.

It is essential that you collect your bikes and luggage at 11am or make arrangements for someone to do this for you as we have no storage facilities.

We hope you all enjoyed your Willow Wheelers Trip to Denia and we look forward to seeing you all on our 100 Mile Charity Cycle on 3 May!

Happy Easter.

WW Denia Committee

Update routes: See some route suggestions at end of this web post. Please send any route suggestion you wish to add to Tony McCluskey.

Update (12/3/2026): Spain Trip flight and other details:

Briefing Meeting: Thanks for everyone who attended the briefing meeting on 10 March and to all the organisers! A full set of notes from that meeting is available here: Spain Pre-Departure Meeting 100326 Final v1.

Flights are confirmed as previously advised:

Group #1: OUT on Ryanair flight FR 261: Sat. 28/03/26: Dublin / Alicante – Dep. 8.05am Arr. 12.00pm and RETURN on Ryanair flight FR 7063: Fri. 03/04/26: Alicante / Dublin – Dep. 7.00pm. Arr. 8:55pm.
Group #2: OUT on Ryanair flight FR 1740: Sat. 28/03/26: Dublin / Valencia – Dep. 8.15am. Arr. 11:55am and RETURN on Ryanair flight FR 1739: Fri. 03/04/26: Valencia / Dublin – Dep. 4.00pm. Arr. 5:50pm.
Luggage is limited to one carry-on bag adhering to the Ryanair dimensions (currently 40cm x 30cm x 20cm) that must be placed under the seat in front of you, there is no check-in luggage.
Boarding passes have been distributed to you by WhatsApp. It is your responsibility to check all details are accurate or advise a WW Committee member asap. You cannot use printed boarding passes, so use your booking reference to access your Group Booking via the Ryanair App (click their “Group bookings” icon to access your boarding pass) or use the boarding pass image sent to you if that does not work. Guardians should have a copy of their boys’ boarding pass on their mobile telephone.
Airports: Message your Group Leader when you have passed boarding security at the airports. Coaches will be available on arrival in Spain and for return leg (t/f time 90 minutes). Please advise us if you are making alternative flight arrangements, unless you have already done so.

Truck loading 4pm – 6pm on Sunday on Sunday 22 March at Willow Park School. You will be given tags for your bikes and luggage, which must then be checked by you and a WW Committee member before being loaded onto the truck (incl. your printed Bike Details form), so don’t just drop the bikes and bags. Soft bags/luggage preferred and pack your helmet, water bottles, etc. in your bag (not on bike). Wrap your bike to protect it and ensure you have minimum cycling gear for the trip (see below) but ensure that your pedals can turn freely. Ensure your bike is properly serviced prior to departure. Truck will leave Willow Park by 6:30pm sharp. Our current expected return date to Willow Park is Easter Monday, see update above. Also see Key Packing Lists further down this web post.

Hotel: We will stay at Hotel Port Dénia in Dénia in the Alicante region in Spain. On arrival, you will give your passport together with a note containing your name, address incl. eircode clearly written in block capitals to reception and receive room keys on arrival. Rooms have been allocated and cannot be changed without a WW Committee member approval. Accommodation is 1/2 board. You will have pool access or can go to the local beach. Bikes will be stored safely. For bike mechanical issues, write details on docket and leave bike in service area for evening repair by John P and you will pay John for cost of parts required. The hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, but swim caps are mandatory if you wish to use these facilities, so please bring them with you!

Preparing for your cycles:

Safety is #1 and leave no one behind.
Arrange yourself into groups, especially as need to combine some year-groups together.
Each group should have a WhatsApp or other way to communicate.
Plan your routes – we will update website for routes (all suggestions welcome) and stops. [Send any work done on routes to Tony and he will update website: mccluskeyt@gmail.com]
Backup Van (thanks Dave B & John B & Alan H) available for medical or mechanical issues only. Not a 24 hour service!
Emergency call 112. Local hospital details on website and will be distributed in Adult Trip WhatsApp group.
For tired adults: Ring a taxi
Ensure mobiles are charged each day and facilitate roaming in Spain. Make sure you know how to drop a pin in Goggle maps to show your location if required.
Electric/Power assisted bikes. Anyone with e-bikes or Di2s, ensure charged, especially on arrival and remember to bring your adapters and chargers. You need to let us know if you have one of these so we can arrange with the hotel to allocate space/power points for charging in the bike storage area in the hotel.
Legends Day will be Wednesday 1^st April (subject to weather, may change).
Have fun!!!

Other points

Everyone must be a member of Willow Wheelers Club and Cycling Ireland if cycling.
- Join via Cycling Ireland website
- Or join WW Club (€35) if not cycling
Travel insurance is included
Boys under 18 years traveling without a guardian/parent must have the Unaccompanied Minor Consent Form completed and accepted by Club. Rose has been working with the parents & guardians on this. Signed form must be scanned and emailed to WW email. Guardian must bring the signed original form (signed by parent & guardian) in hardcopy on Flight to cover those travelling unaccompanied on flight. For any guardian in Spain they must have signed form with them.
Ensure you have your European Health Insurance Card. Guardians, make sure you have a photocopy of the boys passport & EHIC card with you.
Advise WW Committee member of any medical conditions and medication which may be relevant to cycling.

Communications: Please check your own Denia Trip Group WhatsApp and this web post regularly for further updates and enjoy your trip!

Update (16/1/2026): Spain Trip Balancing Payment due by 3pm on Sunday 1 February.

We hope you all are looking forward to escaping to Sunny Spain for our Denia trip.

The balancing payments, which must be paid using the “Pay with card” Stripe link below by no later than 3pm on 1 February 2026, are as follows:

Students and siblings: €829
Adult shared room: €899
Adult single room: €1,217

The non-refundable balancing payment must be made by completing the form at the following link: Disabled as deadline passed

As previously noted, we have worked hard to ensure that we get the best possible value for money in an environment of inflationary costs. For non-cycling adult members, please make the full payment as outlined above and we will refund you €50 as a discount in due course, but request that full payment is made on Stripe as outlined above in the meantime.

On the payment form, we request that you include the following information: (1) Forename exactly as set out in passport; (2) Surname exactly as set out in passport; (3) Date of birth; (4) Address; (5) Contact number; (6) Contact email; (7) Emergency contact name; (8) Emergency contact number; (9) Year-Group – parents should select same group as their son; (10) Confirm if you require a single room and ensure that you have selected the correct amount payable above (11) Passport number; (12) Passport expiry date; (13) Passport issuing authority; (14) Place of birth; (15) Reconfirm if you have requested a one-way flight or other relevant information for your trip; (16) Confirmation of your WW membership; (17) Your Cycling Ireland Number and (18) Credit/debit card payment details for your payment.

If you have not done so when paying your initial deposit or if your passport has been updated in recent months, please provide a good quality scanned copy or photo image of your passport by email to willowwheelersclub@gmail.com. If you do not have a current passport, please advise likely date when this will be available and contact a member of the organising committee asap.

Please note that you must be a Willow Wheelers Club member to participate on the trip. Non-cyclists can join the Club by paying €35 directly to the Club Membership bank account. All cyclists must be both members of the Willow Wheelers Club and Cycling Ireland. You can find your Cycling Ireland number by logging into the Cycling Ireland website and checking your personal details.

Note for your diary that our Trip Information Evening (Spanish themed) will take place at 7:30pm on Tuesday 10 March in Willow Cafeteria.

Update 7/11/2025: Spain flights for Easter Trip 2026.

Please note that the final balancing payment will be due on 1st February 2026, the amount will be communicated in January.

We will be traveling out and back on two flights. You will advised of your group and flights closer to departure date.

Group #1:
Sat. 28/03/26: Dublin / Alicante – Dep. 8.05am. Arr. 12.00pm. Ryanair flight FR 261.
Fri. 03/04/26: Alicante / Dublin – Dep. 7.00pm. Arr. 8:55pm. Ryanair flight FR 7063.

Group #2:
Sat. 28/03/26: Dublin / Valencia – Dep. 8.15am. Arr. 11:55am. Ryanair flight FR 1740.
Fri. 03/04/26: Valencia / Dublin – Dep. 4.00pm. Arr. 5:50pm. Ryanair flight FR 1739.

Luggage allowance: Please note that your flight luggage will be limited to one carry-on bag adhering to the Ryanair dimensions (currently 40cm x 30cm x 20cm) that must be placed under the seat in front of you. Hence, you should plan to send substantially all your gear with you luggage that will go to Denia with the bicycles on the truck.

Original Easter Trip Post

We are looking forward to our Easter 2026 trip when we will stay at the Hotel Port Dénia in the beautiful coastal town of Dénia in the Alicante region in Spain.

Our travel dates are subject to available flights and may delay by 24 hours, but currently expected to be from Sat. 28 March to Fri. 3 April 2026. We plan to fly from Dublin to either Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport or Valencia Airport, both of which are only a little over an hour by bus from Dénia. Family members of Willow Wheelers are very welcome to join us on our adventure to Dénia!

Costs (see update 16/1/2026 above):

Total cost per person sharing is currently expected to be in the range of €1,240 – €1,290, of which a non-refundable deposit of €357 must be paid by each member planning to travel by 5pm Sunday 12 October. Unfortunately, the cost of our trip has increased in the past year, but we have worked hard to ensure that we get the best possible value for money. As usual, the final trip cost will vary, largely depending on number of participants, and remains subject to sufficient participation. A supplement of up to approx. €58 per night will also be charged for anyone who requires a single room.

Please pay the non-refundable deposit of €357 by completing the form at the following link: REMOVED

On this form, we request that you include the following information: (1) Forename(s); Surname of member exactly as set out in passport; (2) Date of birth; (3) Address; (4) Contact number; (5) Contact email; (6) Emergency contact name; (6) Emergency contact number; (7) Year-Group; (8) Indicate you require a single room, which will involve supplement (9) Passport number; (10) Passport expiry date; (11) Place of birth; (12) Note if you require one-way flight or other relevant information for your trip; (13) Confirmation of your WW membership; (14) Your Cycling Ireland Number and (14) Credit/debit card payment details for €357. You will get your Cycling Ireland by logging into the Cycling Ireland website and checking your personal details. We appreciate that the timeline is tight, so if you are missing some details, please complete the form with as much as possible and follow up with the missing information asap to any Committee member. Anyone requesting a single room, which is subject to availability and a supplemental charge, should note the request in the above form.

Flights:

Boarding passes will be issued closer to the departure date. For security reasons, we cannot publish check-in details on this website. As noted above, our travel dates may delay by 24 hours, but currently expected to be from Sat. 28 March to Fri. 3 April 2026. We plan to fly from Dublin to either Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport or Valencia Airport, both of which are only a little over an hour by bus from Dénia.

Bus transport will be arranged in Spain to and from the hotel and airport.

Bicycles & luggage transport on truck to Spain: Bikes will be dropped with luggage to Willow Park School at a time and date to be advised closer to departure. Soft luggage bags preferred as they facilitate safe stacking of bicycles.

Hotel: We will be staying at the Hotel Port Dénia, in Dénia. The hotel located about 2 minutes walk from the beach (Playa de la Marineta Casiana). Rooms will be allocated by the Club and cannot be altered unless approved by a Club Committee member.

Location: Denia is a historic coastal town between the cities of Valencia and Alicante. It is considered one of the oldest ports in Spain and boasts a fine fortress that dates back to early Islamic times. Denia a great base for exploring the region by bicycle with plenty of route options, including some relatively flat coastal routes as well as some more challenging routes into the hills, many of which pass through historic towns which provide opportunities for interesting lunch and coffee stops. In fact, if you love your food, Dénia is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. We will examine potential cycling routes in more detail in due course, but as a route taster you might want to check out a few routes from Dénia by clicking HERE. Also, for a very short video that gives a flavour of Denia, click HERE.

Weather: During late March / early April, the weather in Dénia is typically warm but not too hot, with temperatures peaking around 21°C, relatively low rainfall and about 8 hours of sun daily. With moderate humidity and a gentle sea breeze, the atmosphere is comfortable, perfect for cycling.

Travel Insurance: Covid insurance cover FAQs addressed here:Insurance Covid-19 FAQs.

Documents: Ensure your passport is in date and that you have a current European Health Insurance Card.

Unaccompanied Minors: Boys under 18 years traveling without a guardian/parent must have the Unaccompanied Minor Consent Form completed and accepted by Club.

Accompanied Minors: Group leaders should bring relevant documentation (i.e. letters of consent, copies of parent’s identification, etc.) for traveling with minors out of the state. Please see this Government website for current details: www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/travel-with-children.

Medical conditions: Please advise a member of the WW Committee of any medical conditions and medication which may be relevant to cycling.

Bike record: Ensure you have completed a Bike Details form.

Clothes: We recommend that you err on the side of cycling gear. Towels, togs, etc. required. No deodorant spray permitted.

WW Membership: Everyone traveling to Spain and cycling must be a fully paid-up member of Willow Wheelers and Cycling Ireland. Check out our Membership page for further details. For non-cycling members who wish to travel, the WW Club membership (excluding Cycling Ireland) is €35. Contact one of the organising committee for payment details. Please note that all our members are subject to the Club’s terms and conditions, including the Safety and Disclaimer as set out on this website HERE.

It is important that all bikes are serviced and in good working order before being loaded. Check your brake pads and tyres for wear and if worn replace before you travel. We’d strongly recommend, if not done already, everyone should have their bike properly serviced before departure.

Having the right equipment and gear for cycling in Spain is important. Remember we are cycling for up to 5 days and out for several hours each day.

Key Packing Lists

Mandatory Gear for your Bike.

Minimum 2 spare tubes
Bottle cage(s) fitted to bike
Water bottle(s)
Saddle bag or frame bag for holding gear
Pump

Mandatory Cycling Gear

Cycling helmet (make sure it fits you properly)
Cycling gloves
Cycling shoes or suitable runners
Light rain jacket (just in case)
Light base layers x 2-3
Cycling jerseys x 2-3
Cycling Shorts x 2-3 (We strongly recommend proper padded cycling shorts)
Cycling/sports socks x5
Sunblock
Money (for lunch stops & snacks)

Optional Items

Sunglasses (preferably cycling glasses)
Energy bars
Cycling jersey(s) long sleeve
Arm warmers (handy for wet/cold mornings)
Chain link (specific to your gearing groupset)
Derailleur dropout hanger (esp. if specific to your bike derailleur)
Jelly Babies

Route Suggestions

The route suggestions below have been taken from a number of sources (thanks to those who provided help) and it’s simply not possible to completely confirm that all roads are fully accessible, but hopefully will provide you with a guide for an enjoyable set of spins in Spain. So, usual rules apply, please check these out yourself as they have not been fully verified. The .gpx files can be downloaded from the links below or contact Tony McCluskey (0876740346) if you have any questions and enjoy your spins.

Wikiloc (sign up for free a/c and search for Denia Port) is a useful source of routes from Denia: CLICK HERE

Kamoot (sign up for free a/c) also provides routes from Denia: CLICK HERE

26 1 ruta-8-coll-de-rates 89k 1188m Wikiloc

Garmin: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/439722358

Denia – Pedreguer – Parcent – Tarbena – Castell de Castells – Benigembla – Orba – Ondara – Denia

This route anticlockwise is here: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/442559220