El Retiro: Origins

3 stages / 4 nights

The beating pulse of Colombian cycling culture.

El Retiro is a historic town located above Medellín, where Antioquia’s climbing culture originated. Short but punchy, and constant rolling.

This is Paisa country. The birthplace of makers, artisans, and the resilience of Colombian cycling culture.

Three days based in one town. Loops that reveal Colombia as it really is. Picturesque, unfiltered, and deeply rooted in daily life.

A black silhouette of a rabbit on a transparent background.

A man in cycling gear and a helmet is stepping out of a building with his bicycle, carrying a bag, as he prepares to ride on the street with a parked black car visible outside.

Why El Retiro

This is where Colombia learned to climb.

El Retiro and its surrounding towns shaped a riding culture built on resilience and pride. The terrain is never flat for long. Climbs come fast and often.

Beyond the bike, this is a region defined by craft. Ceramics. Woodwork. Metal. Bikes built by hand.

Stage 1:
La Ceja -> Rionegro Loop (70km / 900m↑)

One big loop around the Eastern Antioquia – starting from El Retiro, passing through Rionegro, and El Carmen de Viboral.

A rural street with lush greenery and colorful bushes, a tractor and cyclists, and a yellow road sign indicating a right turn.

Rural Antioquia is perhaps more charming than urban counterparts.

Stage 2:
El Retiro -> Abejorral Loop (110km / 3000m↑)

An out-and-back loop around the Southeastern part of Antioquia, visiting the historic town of Abejorral. This stage is another punchy one with zero flats whatsoever. But the panoramic views of valleys and rivers are totally worth it.

A group of cyclists in matching jerseys with the word 'ColomBike' on the front, sitting and standing on the steps of a church, with bikes parked in front of them. The church has a beige facade with white decorative details and gothic-style arches.

Plaza Principal, Abejorral.

Stage 3:
El Retiro -> La Union loop (65km / 1000m↑)

The final stage moves through La Ceja before settling into the steady climb toward Alto de La Unión. The road rises through farmland and open hills, with views stretching across eastern Antioquia.

A long descent leads into La Unión, where the ride pauses for a local breakfast and fresh coffee in town. From there, the route turns back toward El Retiro, closing the loop through familiar roads and daily routines.

A group of cyclists riding on a winding road through a forested area with dense leafy trees and grass on the sides.

The beauty of backroads Antioquia.

Scarab Cycles HQ Visit

A cultural stop rooted in Colombian cycling.

Scarab Cycles builds steel frames by hand in Antioquia, shaped by the terrain and riding culture that surround them. This visit offers a look inside their workshop, where traditional frame building methods meet a modern, design led approach.

A black and white close-up photograph of the seat frame of a bicycle, with the label 'Hecho en Colombia' visible on the seat post.

A group of people inside an industrial-style building, listening to a man who appears to be giving a presentation or speech. The room has large windows, workbenches, and various equipment.

What’s included:

✔︎ A support vehicle.

✔︎ 3-star hotel or villa. (double–occupancy)

✔︎ Daily breakfasts.

✔︎ Sports nutrition. (bars, gels, fruits, snacks)

✔︎ Travel accident insurance.

What’s not included:

✘ Your flights.

✘ Alcoholic beverages.

✘ Lunches & dinners.

✘ Local accommodation tax.

✘ Your shopping!

✘ Other sightseeing activities.

✘ Massages.

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