Sportive Breaks

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Girona Weekender 2024

16 October

See our flexible bookings payment plans. View Details.

Days

4 nights - 16 -20 October

CYCLING WEEkender

Daily Guided Rides

From

£799 GBP

2024 Girona Cycling Weekender with Sportive Breaks

The Girona Weekender includes four days set in the heart of Costa Brava, Spain. Here is your chance to find out why Girona and the Costa Brava region is considered by many as the place to be when it comes to road cycling. The routes on offer zip along the Mediterranean coast, cross over extraordinary mountains, visit spectacular lakes and climb up to some simply breathtaking lookout points. While there are many challenges out on the bike, it is also fair to say that this ‘weekender’ encounters friendlier terrain than other trips over to Granada (southern Spain) or the Stelvio (northern Italy). If you like the sound of numerous 5 – 10km climbs than the Girona Weekender is the trip for you!

Enjoy the buzzing cycling culture that is all around. Spot the pros out and about, drop into the cafeterias dedicated to cyclists, visit several of the high-end bike shops in the city centre and simply enjoy the medieval old town. This tour is perfect for cyclists who like to do short-medium length climbs but who equally enjoy undulating roads and flowing descents on smooth asphalted roads. We guarantee you a variety of picture-perfect views from hilltop monasteries, small coastal coves and beaches and serpentine roads out to remote Mediterranean peninsulas!

Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking.

Climb Els Angels: Iconic Girona climbs including Els Angels, Sant Grau, La Ganga and Santa Pellaia

Tackle Rocacorba climb: Climb Rocacorba and Santuari de la Mare de Deu del Mont – two classic Costa Brava climbs

Go to the coast: Ride the most striking sections of the Mediterranean coastline 

Relax in Historical Girona: Medieval Girona – the architecture, cuisine and cycling culture

What's Included?

Accommodation

4 nights in a 4* hotel in Girona

Transfer

From Girona Airport or train station including bike boxes 

Mechanic

Expert mechanics on hand

 

Included Meals

4 Breakfasts

Private Feed Stops

Feed stops every 30km on the rides

Great Rides

Average distance of 118km per day

Guided Rides

Warm up ride on Wednesday, full rides Thursday to Saturday

ABTA Protected

Packages and Prices

Prices

  • From £799 per person based on two people sharing a standard twin (2 single beds) and 1 double room (1 bed for couple) 
  • From £1099 based on one person in a double room

Included with your weekend

  • 4 nights at Hotel Ciutat
  • Local expert guides and bike mechanic
  • Breakfasts 
  • Guided rides
  • Transfers to and from Girona Airport
  • Detailed itinerary
  • ABTA protected

Also available

  • Airport transfers from Barcelona Airport 
  • Bike rental prices TBC 

Highlights from the Past Event

Itinerary

Day To Day

Arrive at Girona Airport/train station before 11:30am for the transfer which will leave the airport no later than 12:00 noon. After a 25min transfer we will arrive at our hotel in Girona. There will be time to build bikes and perform bike fittings. After a light lunch we will head out for a 30km warm-up spin (500m elevation gain) which takes you up to Els Angels Monastery. This is as iconic a climb as you can get in Girona and the perfect way to kick start your tour! The warm-up ride tackles the easier western approach through the cork tree forest and measures 11km at 3.5% average grade. Remember that we are now following Spanish hours so our welcome dinner will be around 8:30pm and include a briefing on the great rides that lie ahead.

Please note: If there are better flight connections to Barcelona Airport, there is an airport train service between Barcelona and Girona which takes 1hr 30min. Otherwise ask us for a special Barcelona Airport transfer collect at around 9:30-10:00am (fees apply).

Today you will cycle a fantastic loop ride which begins through the hills south of Girona towards the Mediterranean coastline. The main climb to contend with is Sant Grau which is sure to be one of your tour highlights. Before hitting the climb though there is a wonderful 30km stretch along the Mediterranean coastline. This road winds its way along the edge of the cliff and there are many vantage points to take some great photos. Sant Grau rises off the coastal cliffs and is 8.9km long with a 5.2% average gradient providing simply stunning views all the way. With 1km to the summit you are hit with two surprises coming in the way of 12% and 14% ramps. Those with some training in the legs will really enjoy this climb which has been a regular feature of the ‘Volta a Catalunya’ pro-race.

Ride Statistics: 115km & 1,250m

Queen Stage alert! Rolling out from the hotel, we head north in search of the big climbs. A challenging day on the bike now awaits but it is full of surprises and changing landscapes at every corner. First cab off the rank is the climb up to Mare de Deu del Mont (1,085m altitude) and our favourite viewing platform on the Costa Brava. Mare de Deu del Mont is an 18km climb with an average gradient of 5%. The final 3km never drop below 10%, making it a true cycling test. The 20km descent down towards medieval Besalu will be one to savour!

The cycling then pushes on to Lake Banyoles which is a great spot for a bite to eat and/or coffee stop. If you are keen to push on then Rocacorba is calling! This climb has become famous in recent years with professional riders using the ascent to measure their cycling condition. While the 13.5km is characterised by a 6% average gradient it is the final 5km which are really tough and constantly maintain ramps hovering around double-digit gradients!

Ride Statistics: 110km & 1,600m (Mare de Deu del Mont) – finish Lake Banyoles

Ride Statistics: 130km & 2,500m (plus Rocacorba) – loop ride back to Girona

This morning we pedal south-east of Girona to showcase yet another classic selection of rolling climbs. Riding from the hotel and you encounter some stunning scenery as you climb over the Les Gavarres mountain range. Just like Stage 1 of the 2023 Volta a Catalunya which was won by Primoz Roglic you too will climb Santa Pellaia, Alt de Romanya, La Ganga and Els Angels (3 x Category 3 and 1 x Category 2 climbs). The route also passes through Monells which is a small medieval town located in La Baix Emporda region. Its main features are the yellowish stone houses, arches and cobblestone floors which have formed the backdrop for many Spanish feature movies. A lunch stop in its main plaza is always a good idea!

Even though you rode Els Angels on Day 1 it will be a fitting final challenge for your Girona Weekender as the eastern approach is more difficult. The 5.9km climb averages 5.6%, however, there are twelve 10-12% pinches which really try to upset your rhythm! All that follows now is the fun descent back to Girona and a celebratory beer in the medieval old town!

Ride Statistic: 110km & 1,500m

Our transfer to Girona Airport/train station will leave at 10:00am so enjoy a well-earned lie-in and late breakfast. The transfer to Girona Airport takes approximately 25 minutes, so please book departing flights from 12:30pm onwards.

Please note: If there are better flight connections from Barcelona then there is the train service from Girona to Barcelona. In addition, for an extra fee ask us for a special van transfer between Girona and Barcelona Airport.

Distance: 6.2km

Avg Grade: 5.7%

Lowest Elevation: 121m

Highest Elevation: 471m 

Elev Difference: 350m

Climb Category:

More About the Event

Running from Wednesday to Sunday, our weekenders are time-efficient cycling breaks to explore some of the best cycling destinations. We stay in the same hotel for 4 nights and you will be riding for 4 days. The aim is to ride the best routes and to have a great time along the way with a friendly group. Our weekenders are fully supported with bike hotel, airport transfers, daily guided rides for different ride levels, mechanical support and feed stops. We also offer bike rental at an additional cost.

Girona Weekender Cycling Holiday

This is one of the great cycling weekends for climbers. Over 5 days you climb Sant Grau, Rocacorba & Mare de Deu del Mont as well as some great local routes that many people find to be their best climb of the trip. Each of the three main riding days are tough with two or three climbs per day and over 3,000m of elevation, but the payoff is riding in a varied and stunning part of the world and ticking off some proper bucket list climbs. Girona is the perfect city to relax after a ride with some nice ice cream shops, churros con chocolate and a lot of tapas. Bring strong legs and a big rear cassette for the ultimate Sierra Nevada cycling holiday!

Accommodation

Hotel Ciutat 
C/ Nord, 217001, Girona

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Our base in Girona is the brilliant Hotel Ciutat. Set in the centre of the hisotical city of Girona and close to the Efiel Bridge. Post-ride you can enjoy superb dishes made from locally sourced produce or enjoy the local shops and bars. With friendly staff, secure bike storage and massages that can be booked in the wellness area, this is our top hotel in Girona and a great location for an epic weekend of riding. 

You're in safe hands

We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL so book with confidence.

Plenty to choose from

Did you know? We offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.

Spread your payments

Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply

Logistics covered

We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.

BOOK NOW

portive Breaks are part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team [email protected]

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