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Girona Cycling Routes

  • 01-03-2019 1:54pm
    #1
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Heading over to Spain for a few days next month. Have a bike for 2 days so want to make the most of them. Anyone recommend some good routes, and places to stop and eat along the way too would be good too!


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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 1,265 ✭✭✭youtheman


    Weepsie wrote: »
    Heading over to Spain for a few days next month. Have a bike for 2 days so want to make the most of them. Anyone recommend some good routes, and places to stop and eat along the way too would be good too!

    If you are going there make sure you go South to Tossa de Mar. Absolutely spectacular:https://www.strava.com/activities/1682349393

    Then you can do Rocacorba https://www.strava.com/activities/1684604936


  • Registered Users Posts: 284 ✭✭Puggy


    There’s also a Girona Strava group, follow it, and you’ll see where the locals go. I stayed on the coast in San Feliu de Guíxols, there’s a loop from Girona to San Feliu, then towards Tossa, then right turn up to Emirta San Grau, Llagostara and back to Girona very similar to youthemans first route. There’s a small section on the C35, where you cannot cycle, but there’s a green road close by, it’s a cycle route called the Carrilet.


  • Registered Users Posts: 528 ✭✭✭michaelm


    Bike Breaks in Girona in, in my opinion, a must - the shop ride every Thursday morning is a fantastic way to get to know the best routes. There's a very real chance that Neil Martin (Dan's dad and regular manager of Irish cycling teams) will be part of the group also.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    michaelm wrote: »
    Bike Breaks in Girona in, in my opinion, a must - the shop ride every Thursday morning is a fantastic way to get to know the best routes. There's a very real chance that Neil Martin (Dan's dad and regular manager of Irish cycling teams) will be part of the group also.

    Cheers for the replies. As it happens, I'm renting my bike from them on the Thursday/Friday.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,881 ✭✭✭terrydel


    youtheman wrote: »
    If you are going there make sure you go South to Tossa de Mar. Absolutely spectacular:https://www.strava.com/activities/1682349393

    Then you can do Rocacorba https://www.strava.com/activities/1684604936
    And remember your age plus 10 mins is the time you need to beat up rocacorba.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,881 ✭✭✭terrydel


    Weepsie wrote: »
    Cheers for the replies. As it happens, I'm renting my bike from them on the Thursday/Friday.

    They are great, you won't rent from a better company anywhere.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    terrydel wrote: »
    And remember your age plus 10 mins is the time you need to beat up rocacorba.

    Ryan sherlock has done it in 38 mins. I'll be doing well if I can get it done in 42 or less!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,881 ✭✭✭terrydel


    Weepsie wrote: »
    Ryan sherlock has done it in 38 mins. I'll be doing well if I can get it done in 42 or less!

    I was 37 or 38 when I did it in 45. 38 seems very slow for him, hes generally 30-40% of my time ahead of me if that makes sense, on long climbs anyway. So hes 14.50 or so on wicklow gap, I can do it in 19:54.
    I reckon I'd do Rocacorba in under 40 no hassle when at my best. The pro's see under 30 as kind of landmark I believe.


  • Registered Users Posts: 284 ✭✭Puggy


    I’ve rented from Dave in Bike Breaks, great place, haven’t been on the Thurs spin though. He knows all the best coffee stops.

    Cool video from The Col Collective of the section from Sant Feliu to Sant Grau.



  • Registered Users Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Not to tread on your thread Weepsie, but I've skin in this game - I've 3 weeks booked for the family in Girona over the summer. Now all I've done is book flights, I have everything else to organise yet. Was intending to go a town centre air bnb, just have to come up with the funds up front for the rental.

    But, if you could come back with reports or recommendations it'd be great, or indeed if anyone else has any Girona area tips for a combination of cycling parents and a pair of... not-so-cycling young teenage girls?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,881 ✭✭✭terrydel


    fat bloke wrote: »
    Not to tread on your thread Weepsie, but I've skin in this game - I've 3 weeks booked for the family in Girona over the summer. Now all I've done is book flights, I have everything else to organise yet. Was intending to go a town centre air bnb, just have to come up with the funds up front for the rental.

    But, if you could come back with reports or recommendations it'd be great, or indeed if anyone else has any Girona area tips for a combination of cycling parents and a pair of... not-so-cycling young teenage girls?

    Nice place to eat - https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187499-d2196157-Reviews-Vintages-Girona_Province_of_Girona_Catalonia.html

    I ate here twice and loved it. Its very authentic and not poncey.


  • Registered Users Posts: 284 ✭✭Puggy


    Fat bloke There’s a greenway from Girona to the coast, ends in Sant Feliu, called the Carrilet. There are some lovely places to eat, if you were cycling or driving. La Font Picant is on the Greenway. The flower festival in Girona is on from 11-19 May. Public transport, bus, is not bad, espically for getting to the beach. The girls will like Playa d’Aro. You can also do a boat day trip from Playa d’Aro to Tossa de Mar, pricey, but a great all day activity. If your staying local, there are some great trails and hill walks. The old town is beautiful, there’s a walk around the old fortified walls.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Thanks a million Puggy, that's great stuff. Good to hear the buses are good - would be a change not to have to bother with a rental car and parking space etc.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭fat bloke




  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    Wish I had more than 2 days!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭deekster


    Be sure to pop in to La Fabrica for a coffee (or sit on the steps outside)

    https://www.instagram.com/lafabricagirona/?hl=en


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    Found this site last week. Going to try some of these routes. Former Pro Dan Craven has highlighted some along with places to stop for food/coffee

    https://ourgirona.com/


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,304 ✭✭✭Chartsengrafs


    A timely bump, I’m going in just over three weeks and can’t wait now. Some great info here.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,557 ✭✭✭The tax man


    The Federal cafe is a great spot for breakfast or lunch.
    Espresso mafia for amazing coffee.
    If seafood is your thing, Arros i Peix is a must.
    Restaurante La Tagliatella is good for Italian food.
    So many great food spots in Girona, too many to list.

    For bike porn, The service course is a must place to drop into.
    Eat Sleep Cycle also do bike rental and have a nice shop now.
    McKiernans "Irish" pub is good craic. Met Sam Bennet and Marcel Kitell in there on St.Patricks weekend a few years ago.


    Most of the popular routes are mentioned above already.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    michaelm wrote: »
    Bike Breaks in Girona in, in my opinion, a must - the shop ride every Thursday morning is a fantastic way to get to know the best routes. There's a very real chance that Neil Martin (Dan's dad and regular manager of Irish cycling teams) will be part of the group also.

    I just missed the group cycle so set out on my own using one of Dan Craven's routes. Plenty of climbing. Only found out after there's a 1500 metre climb near st Hilari.

    www.strava.com/activities/2299589500


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  • Registered Users Posts: 471 ✭✭dermabrasion


    Just back from a few days in Girona. This area is the bomb. I prefer it to Mallorca for variability of rides and the city has so much to offer, yet is so low key. The attitude of cars is the best one ever come across: never a close pass, never a beep. The only thing on the road which I found sketchy was mountain sheep on decent's.
    On Wednesday, I was out on the climb from Angles to Sant Hilari (garmin broke sorry no Strava link), and came across pro's from Trek-Sagrefredo, Bigla, CCC, and DQS. All gave a wave.
    Rented from BikeBreaks, which offers a solid service and advice. Cannondale Synapse Disc 105 was solid. Stayed in Hotel Peninsular (€82/n b&b) which is in the old city just beside the train station. They have bike lock up and bikes are part of their core business. They gave me a room for a shower the evening after I checked out so I could get a spin in before jumping on the train back to Barcelona.
    I think flying to Barca is better than to Girona for price and flexibility and its pretty straight forward train journey up to Girona.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    That's great to hear. - We've booked our accomodation now, a nice looking apartment right in the centre of the old part of the city, which should be cool.

    The next thing is to sort out bikes. Our problem is cost. We're going to be there 3 weeks but with two kids. The most we'd manage would be two to three spins a week (not fair on the kids otherwise), so at a daily rental rate, that leaves bikes sitting around (not being used, taking up apartment space and costing money) for the most of the week.

    Also, it seems that Girona bike hire is very much aimed at the higher end of the market - every shop boasting about di2 and Factor frames and boutique carbon wheels etc. Fine and all, but I'm not paying 250 quid a day for two bikes that'll be used 3 times a week at most.

    Does anyone have a suss on a more reasonable rental option? Basic carbon or aluminium and 105 is fcukin grand for me for me holidays on nice roads!

    Also I thought (based on my experience in Majorca) that July august was off season for bike hire and that there would be deals available. No one does winter training camps in mid summer. I've also seen plenty of places in Majorca offering carbon and ultegra Cubes for like 100 quid a week. That'd be no bother, I just haven't found the Girona equivalent.

    Anyone point me in the right direction there?


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    https://www.happybikesgirona.com/lista-de-precios-ingls


    They do tiagra equipped touring bikes for 10 quid a day pretty much. Think they're a bit outside Girona and I didn't go with them as I was limited for time


  • Registered Users Posts: 284 ✭✭Puggy


    Bike breaks do the Cannondale Synapse 105 disc for €145 a week or €45 a day. Heading over in mid August, can’t wait ��


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Bikes booked, nearly time to pack suitcases now. Heading next week. Got a pretty good deal on two carbon 105 synapses for the three weeks, working out about 13 quid a day. Can't argue with that. Hopefully get plenty of use out of them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Well, we've over a week under our belts. Very impressed. It really is fantastic cycling country. We're in the old town which is at the very least pedestrian priority, but is to all intents and purposes pedestrianised. It's such a refreshing change to have the streets to yourself, devoid of cars. So much so that when we took a day trip to Figueres it was quite an affront to all the senses to have streets full of cars again. Girona is very special in that regard. Also when you're out cycling, the quietness of the (right) roads in terms of vehicular traffic and then the level of awareness and consideration towards cyclists of that traffic when you come across it is... exceptional. It's a joy.

    We did a lot of the routes above. Did the Rocacorba in 44 mins which is my age plus 1 minute! :). The plus ten minutes must be pretty generous then.
    Pity it's a cul de sac, And that there aren't more like it, but the rolling nature of the terrain is great too and the road surfaces are astonishingly good. There's a great climb to sant Hilari which is 25km long but only peaks at 1000m so it's like a massively long false flat so you can really rally up it big-ring-shtyle and pretend you're a great lad altogether :D.

    I had to break the holiday up with a work trip to the States but I'm back to Girona Tuesday for another week so I hope to do some coastal rides and I have a Girona gran Fondo gpx I want to try. I'd actually never done the Garmin gpx thing before I'm such a luddite, I'm amazed at how well it works.
    Bikebreaks were grand to deal with. Bikes are fine. "Sturdy" probably best describes them. You wouldn't be setting too many records on them with the weight of 'em and the 28mm gatorskins they're rolling on. Their gpx routes are top notch.

    Anyway, great trip so far and looking forward to more. If we're missing out on anything glaring, shout!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,741 ✭✭✭brownian


    @fat_bloke: Mare del deu del mont is totally worth doing. Either from Girona (longer) or from Figueres (short train ride from G). Lovely climb (20k odd, none of your false flats once you get into it, either!), church and bar on the very top. More challenging than Rocacorba, but a bit further to travel.

    Rocacorba plus Mare del deu del Mont is a long day - we got a load of punctures the day we did it, so finished cheating by taking the train home from Figs. Still a solid day. For extra hardship, do Els Angels ('Hells Angels') on the same ride.

    Ride to Tossa del Mar via San Andreu too. Loverly ride out of town and down super zigzags to the coast. Home via the top of Els Angels (or more easily via San Marti Vell).

    If you haven't done it yet, go up Santa Pellaia from the W (Girona) side via San Andreu, and down the other; coffee in Monells, home over Els Angels. The descent of Santa Pellaia is just super fun, great payback for what feels like a short and handy climb. This is sometimes called the Hincapi loop.

    Consider training to Figs again, and hitting the cols to France.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,741 ✭✭✭brownian


    Food and drink: I found the Fabrica and the Federal a bit 'expat ghetto' myself. Good tapas and lively buzz in Zanpanzar. Nice wine bars in the Alley East of Placa del Vi, as well as El Circle pub (good place). Danny in Mon Oncle is a sound barman with great English. The people who run Context, at the N end of the main old town (nearish the Cathedral) are lovely. Their food is also great. When the Spanish food is getting to you, the Italian in Tagliatelle is good - have the mushroom and truffle spag. Breakfast in Coffee and Greens, if you want the brekkie-out and 'acai bowl' (I like it, others don't) experience.

    As everyone says, Dave Walsh in BikeBreaks is the man, and his Thursday cycles are great. For those who fancy spinning posh bikes, there's a guy near the train station with BMCs and EatSleepCycle have some nice bikes too. Dave's System Sixes are pretty nice too!

    Avoid, IMHO, Plaza Indepenzia, unless there's something on, or you just want to people-watch.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,800 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    Called into Eat Sleep Cycle yesterday. Very slick operation. Factor bikes are stunning and they had a really class looking Basso Diamente in beautiful light blue colour.
    I had a dig around their cycling gear cos it's very smart, but verrry pricey so I was looking at a "sale" rack. I thought I was mid-reading the tags on a pair of shorts, first I thought it was €15 euro off, but then realised it was €15!! I called the wife to get her a$$ up before they closed. They were just clearing out the last of last seasons gear. Top notch stuff, very few left, limited sizes and mainly women specific. Shorts down from 120 quid to 15!! Between us we got 5 bib shorts, 2 jerseys, 2 gilets, and a pair of socks for 160 quid. Rrp on the lot would have been nearly a grand!! Wore the shorts today on a 90k spin and they are absolutely fantastic. Much higher quality and better cut than my own club gear, which I always thought was excellent.


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,474 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    Have you cycled around Amer at all? If you do find the natural spring that has naturally occuring sparkling water. It was a lifesaver after 85 or so KM.

    https://goo.gl/maps/jv9awbi9RDdpCSWx9


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