GIRONA GRAVEL
GIRONA VELO
THE AUTHENTIC RIDING EXPERIENCE
June 5-11, 2024

OVERVIEW

What’s included?

• All Food & Drink
• START LOCATION: Girona
• 6 Nights Luxury Accommodation
• DAYS IN THE SADDLE: seven
• Daily Laundry Service
• AVERAGE DAILY KMs: 75-100km
• Fully supported Ride & Daily bike tune up
• BIGGEST DAY: 110km
• Energy/recovery drinks & snacks
• Girona Velo Sportful Jersey
• Airport transfers (160 Euros each way)

Girona

Girona has been Europe’s cycling mecca since the first pro teams began to arrive back in the 1990s. In recent years riders and pros alike, have discovered the abundance of incredible gravel riding opportunities around Girona. Every day offers the gravel rider a vast array of incredible dirt track options to choose from. With our guides, we have designed an itinerary that provides you a different flavour of these beautiful landscapes every day; whether that’s following a meandering river, hugging the beautiful rugged coastline, climbing a HC cat climb or rolling into enchanting cobblestoned ancient villages. We believe that we are the only cycling tour company offering this truly diverse flavour of Catalonia.

For us it’s all in the detail & care – from the moment you are collected at the airport, you will be looked after by us with meticulous care throughout the entire journey – from the daily cleaned and serviced bike, the fully equipped support vehicle, freshly laundered kit overnight and the chilled recovery shake handed to you at the end of the ride. Our team consists of an experienced mechanic and knowledgeable local guides – the support vehicle is always there for any eventuality, or a welcome haven if you need it. We also have local native support for any incidents that require assistance, be that medical or administrative.

Allow us take care of everything – so you can relish these stunning rides, eating beautiful fresh local Catalan food and sharing this unique experience with your fellow riders.

The recipe is very simple – riding through idyllic landscapes with like minded friends, quality ride support & attention, and a generous sampling of the best local food and wine…… what more does anyone need?

Accommodations

Itinerary

PROPOSED ITINERARY

DAY 1: GIRONA

Welcome to Spain! Pick up in Barcelona airport and transfer to luxury accommodation in the heart of Girona. Once settled in our hotel – we invite you to stretch the legs & roll out for a coffee spin to whet your gravel appetite!

DAY 2: GIRONA – Banyoles

Today we head North-West into the stunning Pla d’Estany region of Girona and the final destination the town of Banyoles. A beautiful lakeside town nestled between surrounded mountains and the gateway into La Garrotxa – the volcanic region of Girona. We will stop lakeside for an open air picnic style lunch with local delicacies – Catalan cheeses, Spanish Iberian ham, Gazpacho, Catalan salads to name a few. This stage offers us some stunning open compact gravel trails with the views of the Rocacorba and Mare De Deu Del Mont mountains to the North and West.

DAY 3: GIRONA – Cadeques

After our Catalan breakfast – we set off through the Alt Emporda region and the vineyards north of Girona, heading for the Cap De Creus. Arguably one of the most striking regions of this corner of Spain. The Cap De Creus coastline and the fishing village of Cadaques were immortalised by the surrealist painter Salvador Dali. We reach the ocean at the seaside town of Roses, then hug this enchanting coastline up to the mountain summit with views overlooking the entire natural park and then descend down into the breath-taking village of Cadaques where we will spend the night at our Cadaques hotel.  Once everyone has settled in and explored Cadaques, we meet for dinner and drinks in a local restaurant by the sea. This could possibly be one of your best days on a gravel bike ever!

DAY 4: Cadeques-Girona

After we load your over-night luggage while you finish your seaside breakfast – We say farewell to this magical fishing village, but not before we explore the rest of the Cap De Creus natural park. We climb out of Cadaques and descend back to the coast and to visit Cadaques’ little brother – El Port de La Selva and on through the L’Albera natural park, before turning south back to Girona. The final stretch on this beautiful return to Girona, we ride through the ancient vineyards of the Emporda D.O wine region. We arrive back to the Hotel in Girona, where your room will be as you found it.

DAY 5: GIRONA – Mountains and medieval villages

After a hearty Catalan breakfast we waste no time and head into the beautiful ‘Les Gavarres’ mountains that loom large around Girona. Before conquering two ‘Les Gavarres summits – we roll through a selection of Catalan medieval fairytale villages where a lunch stop and some delicious Catalan home cooked food is a must. This route a real favourite of the Girona gravel locals!

DAY 6: GIRONA – Caldes de Malavella

We venture south west out of Girona old town, passing along undulating forest tracks then into another dimension of the many diverse landscapes that Girona has to offer  – the region famous for natural hot thermal springs. This stage has some diverse fast gravel tracks and single track sections and a generally flatter day that means a fast day!

DAY 7: GIRONA – FINAL SPIN & FAREWELLS

Following breakfast, an easy spin to shake out those aching legs. After a farewell Catalan lunch, the final ‘salutes’ and coffees, we provide return transfer to Barcelona Airport.

LANDSCAPES OF GIRONA

We have created an experience that really show-cases the many faces of this diverse region.

The many pro teams choose Girona as their base, because they know it has all the ingredients for perfect endless riding choices – with no two days on the bike the same or even similar. This authentic Girona gravel experience offers you a taste of each diverse flavour of Catalonia –  from rugged coastline, beguiling mountains, pine scented forests, medieval villages, ancient vineyards and olive groves to name a few. This is what makes Girona a true cycling paradise……And don’t be surprised to be passed by a pro team out training out in this stunning Catalonia landscape.

CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK

Yes this trip is all about the gravel – but with this all inclusive experience we would like you to sample some of the exceptional food and drink that has put Girona on the culinary world map. Every night we invite you to dine at our favourite authentic Girona restaurants.

Catalonia has arguably some of the finest cuisine in the world, made internationally famous by Ferran Adria’s “El Bulli” and the 3 time best restaurant in the world “Celler Can Roca”. But you don’t have to frequent Michelin starred restaurants to experience great authentic Catalan food – well selected local family run restaurants will provide you with unforgettable hearty delicious local food and wine.

It would be a crime not to indulge in the typical Catalan favourites like fideua (noodle paella), pa amb tomaquet (tomato bread), embotits (Catalan cured meats), bolets (wild mushrooms), escalivada (smoky grilled vegetables), Botifarra(barbequed Catalan sausages),Esqueixada de Bacalao (salt cod salad)or fresh fish & seafood plucked from the Mediterranean sea.

In recent years Catalonia has also seen its wines win international acclaim like Penedes and Priorat, but also you are now seeing smaller wine regions like Emporda, costers del segre and Monsant recognised among some of the best wines in Spain.

Allow us to take you to some hidden treasures to taste the real flavours of Catalonia – at Restaurants, artisan local food & wine producers, food markets, ‘comida campera’ (alfresco eating) and many more culinary gems.

RIDE OPTIONS

We understand if you would rather bring your own bike, but if you would like us to take care of it – we can offer a range of high end gravel bike rental options according to your requirements and personal preferences. We typically carry the following ride options, but can always try to procure a particular bike brand you may have. Our qualified mechanic can also fit your pedals, saddles and computer mounts or we can obtain and fit the same or similar set up if desired. The gearing ratios are generally configured for a basic gravel bike set up – 1×11 Groupset. Whether you decide to bring your own ride or use a high end rental bike – the expert mechanic will make sure it is cleaned, serviced and ready each morning for the challenge ahead!

*$450 per trip for bike rental.

** In case any stock is unavailable at the time of your trip due to high demand – we will replace with a model of similar or higher spec. 

WHAT’S NEXT?

To guarantee your space on this unique experience – please drop us an email at INFO@GIRONAVELO.COM. Once confirmed we would just require 40% of the total trip cost and the remaining funds 30 days prior to the departure.

Visit GironaVelo website for more information.

All inclusive experience cost per guest: €4,399