Quaryat Dillar's Blog
Tras varias generaciones dedicadas a la agricultura y el sector olivarero, la familia Velasco Gil fundó en 2009 una almazara en Dílar, un pueblo granadino de Sierra Nevada.
Granada oozes sport, health and outdoor living. Be it by the Mediterranean coast, in many a place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or enjoying one of the picturesque paths running along the streams and rivers that populate the Genil Valley, getting together to enjoy exercising is becoming increasingly popular.
As a sponsor of the 23rd edition XXIII subida cicloturista al Veleta
of this yearly epic climb to the famous peak, we have experienced first-hand the tradition of an event awash with the heroics, the comradery and the endless anecdotes of the many participants. Just to mention in passing that Dílar -home to our beloved Quaryat oils- and its boundaries stretch to some of the highest peaks in Sierra Nevada, including the Veleta. In short: we wanted to be here! The cyclists faced a daunting challenge: 51km, 41.6 of them uphill- a total positive accumulated vertical gain of 2628 metres- and a finish line at 3294 metres above sea level. Pure as the air might be there, it is also thin and our athletes had to content with the lack oxygen due to the demand of their exhausting exertions.
We saw nothing but champions here… but someone had to come first. Marcos Robles, a local rider, clocked a time of 02:04:07 and was closely followed by training partner Daniel de la Fuente. Daniel had coincidentally come second in the 96km version of the event –Sierra Nevada Límite- on the previous day yet managed to hold on for much of the race. The nine times winner of this race, Antonio Velez, still holds the overall record at 01:59:04, and will stand for another year.
A special mention goes to the women’s champion, Elena Pérez, who won both races this weekend –she also won Sierra Nevada Límite- just after having taken part in Spain’s under 23’s championship two days earlier.
All winners in all categories were awarded a bottle of our finest Quaryat Picual during the ceremony. The finest EVVO in Granada for our greatest champions..
Quaryat Dillar represents Granada at international level so it has a keen interest in the history of noticeable local events and how they came to exist in its present shape. All the more if they combine health, sports and leisure. So what are then the origins of this event?
It all started in the mid 80´s when José Lopez Chirosa and Cayetano Labella, teammates and friends, decided to organise a popular ride for people of all ages in Pinos Genil, their hometown. The aim was to spend a day out cycling with family and friends. The popular event adopted the peculiar name of Sardine day.
Locals as well as riders from nearby towns began flocking to the event. At the start line, the local marching band would kick off proceedings, providing a jovial atmosphere. On their way to Cenes de la Vega, the next town, the participants would find suitable popular snacks and refreshments and once there, there were churros and chocolate for everyone. At the finish line back in Pinos Genil, the local cycle touring club had by then prepared yet more delicacies, namely a barbequed sardine picnic from which the ride took its original name.
In 1994 and by overwhelming public request, José Luis and Cayetano organised the first ride to the Veleta peak. Ever since, the event has been steadily growing in popularity and now next to the locals, riders from across Europe enroll every year for a memorable experience.
Such an extended and popular ride is filled with many anecdotes. Highlights include the stories of Antonio Segura and Andrade, who completed the climb in 2001 and 2004 aged 72 and 74 respectively. Or Juan Ramón Padial, an amputee of one leg who made it to the top in 2001. They are our particular sporting heroes.
At Quaryat Dillar, we want to encourage healthy living and sporting habits and we look forward to supporting this event for many years to come.
