Barcelona
Day 2
Day 4
View from day 4/5 B&B
Beget
Menchov at Veulta
Near Girona
Costa Brava
Tour finish!
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| Day 1 Barcelona
Ride Options: 22-37 miles/2,800-5,800 feet
Our tour starts in Barcelona. We’ll meet at the airport and after a short transfer, we’ll begin our bicycle journey into the Catalunya Pyrenees with a short warm-up ride along quiet country roads. Welcome dinner together.
Barcelona, a city of arts, culture and architectural richness, is famous for many works of the master architect Antoni Gaudi, but there are many splendid Gothic palaces, elegant green parks, sunlit beaches, hip cafés and excellent shopping to enjoy in this cosmopolitan city.
Day 2 Loop Ride
Ride Options: 36-50 miles/850-6,022 feet
Test yourself on some spectacular cols, enjoy some easy pedaling along the lakeshore or hike to a local auberge—it’s your choice. Dinner together.
Day 3 Transfer Ride
Ride Options: 48-63 miles/2,900-6,500 feet
We’ll begin with a six-mile climb before enjoying a 26-mile descent with incredible views of the valley below. We’ll continue with some easy pedaling through the valley to our luxury hotel, a 4-star parador that was once a 11th century monastery. Dinner on your own.
Climbing option: Add an additional 3,600 feet of climbing to our base ride for a greater challenge.
Day 4 Transfer Ride
Ride Options: 48 miles/5,600 feet
We’ll ride into Catalonia’s pre-Pyrenees region (mountains that aren’t quite as high as the Pyrenees), where we’ll get a taste of some climbing. We’ll cycle along small roads with dramatic scenery and pass through several picturesque villages on the way to our quaint B&B, our home for the next two nights. Dinner together.
Day 5 Loop Ride
Recovery Ride: 25 miles or hike
Take a well-deserved rest day and soak up some sun at our relaxing B&B, or venture out on one of the many hiking trails in the area. Dinner together.
Day 6 Transfer Ride
Ride Options: 52-71 miles/3,000-3,900 feet
Our route begins with an easy spin before descending six miles to the valley below, where we’ll start our first climb along forested roads (12 miles/1,000 ft.) before descending again for lunch. After lunch, we’ll tackle our final climb (11 miles/1,200 ft.) along tiny roads, winding through a green valley. The ride finishes with an eight-mile descent to our B&B, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Dinner on your own.
Day 7 Loop Ride
Ride Options: 56 miles/5,000 feet
You’ll have the option to relax by the pool or join us for a loop ride along small country roads where Lance Armstrong trained and numerous other pros prepare for their European races. The highlight of the ride is a visit to Beget, a beautiful unspoiled mountain village of well-preserved stone houses with beautiful wooden balconies. Dinner together.
Option: 24 miles roundtrip/4,100 ft. Looking for an additional challenge? You can continue up to Vallter 2000, one of Lance's favorite training rides—truly a trip highlight for climbers!
Day 8 Transfer Ride to Girona
Recovery Ride: 37 miles/1105 feet
After yesterday's challenge, we’ll enjoy a well-deserved recovery ride. We’ll pedal through the scenic Parc Natural La Garrotxa, a natural volcanic area, on our way to Girona. We’ll pass the village of Banyoles, an international training destination for rowers, which boasts the second highest natural lake in Europe. For those of you who want to enjoy views of the lake a little longer, there’s an optional four-mile loop around lake. Dinner on your own.
Optional Ride: 19 miles roundtrip/1,650 feet. Add some challenge to today’s ride by ascending the Mare de Dieu dels Angels, another famous training ride of the pros.
Day 9 Girona/Santi Hillari Loop Ride
Ride Options: 68-83 miles/4,179-4,809 feet
Shorter Option: 37-43 miles
We’ll ride south from Girona into the Guilleries mountains, to the lake at Sant Miquel de Ter and the mountain village of Santi Hillari. According to locals, this was one of Lance Armstrong’s favorite rides. Dinner together.
Day 10 Girona/Costa Brava Ride
Ride Options: 44-56 miles/3,810-5,080 feet
Today’s ride is another local favorite. We’ll pass the mountaintop monastery of Mare de Deu dels Angels and continue along one of the most beautiful sections of the famous Costa Brava, the "Big Sur of Spain." In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to our Barcelona hotel and pack up our bikes. Final celebration dinner!
Day 11 Barcelona
After a great trip, it's time to say goodbye. Our tour ends after breakfast. We’re happy to offer suggestions to those who decide to extend their trip in Barcelona.
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