Girona is one of the most important cycling destinations all over the world. A very significant cycling climb around Girona is Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery. The variety of routes is also a very good reason to come to Girona for cycling. Flat tiny roads, together with scenic routes and also steep climbs, so close the Pyrenees are. Sant Pere de Rodes has 2 sides to climb from. One from Vilajuiga and the second one from the sea, from Port de la Selva. Especially recommended Port de la Selva side, as the views over the Mediterranean sea are amazing, and the climb is a little steeper than Vilajuiga side. On top of that, this side has been recently asphalted, then the road is in perfect conditions for the road bikes! No need to say that one of the main appeals of this climb (whichever the side) is the impressive monastery on top. This Monastery refers to Romanic Catalan art and was built in the XI century. Some interesting loop including Sant Pere de Rodes There are several very interesting loops in which to include Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes. Maybe the most interesting is starting in Perelada (a nice wine destination by the way), and getting France via Coll de Banyuls. Then return to Spain on the very nice coastal road to Llançà and Port de la Selva. Once there climbing Sant Pere de Rodes and finally descent to Vilajuiga and back to Perelada. It is also worth mentioning that this area close to France is sometimes hit by fast winds (the so-called Tramuntana). It could make really hard even to get up on a bike. Be careful if the Tramuntana is blowing! Cycling in Sant Pere de Rodes and the climb to the Monastery is a big challenge
Girona is one of the most important cycling destinations all over the world. A very significant cycling climb around Girona is Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery. The variety of routes is also a very good reason to come to Girona for cycling. Flat tiny roads, together with scenic routes and also steep climbs, so close
The route of Volta a Catalunya professional cycling race for 2020 was unveiled a few days ago. It is a very special edition as it is the 100th edition of the oldest cycling race in Spain. The stages are the following: 3/23 Calella-Calella 3/24 TT Banyoles (Girona) 3/25 Canal Olimpic-Vallter 2000 (mountain finish) 3/26 Ripoll-Port Ainé (mountain finish) 3/27 La Pobla de Segur-Manresa 3/28 Tarragona-Mataró 3/29 Barcelona-Barcelona Volta a Catalunya 2020 includes two mountain finishes in the Pyrenees, at Vallter 2000 and Port Ainé. Both are first category climbs, included often in the route. Even if they can be very cold at this time of the year, both are great climbs, worth to cycle them up! The arrival to Port Ainé in 2012 was canceled due to cold and weather conditions. The details of the stages and participants will be confirmed in short, but in the last editions Volta a Catalunya had some of the best cyclists in the professional peloton: Alejandro Valverde, Nairo Quintana, Chris Froome or Thomas de Gendt are some of the cyclists that usually take part of this important cycling race. If you would like to watch live any of the stages, feel free to contact us and we can organize a trip from Barcelona to cycle part of the stage and watch the arrival of the cyclists. Sag van is provided. Do not miss this unique opportunity!!
The route of Volta a Catalunya professional cycling race for 2020 was unveiled a few days ago. It is a very special edition as it is the 100th edition of the oldest cycling race in Spain. The stages are the following: 3/23 Calella-Calella 3/24 TT Banyoles (Girona) 3/25 Canal Olimpic-Vallter 2000 (mountain finish) 3/26 Ripoll-Port
Coll de Pal is an amazing hidden gem in the Catalan Pyrenees. It is a very steep Hors Categorie climb which deserves much more fame than actually has. The overall numbers say it all. It is a very steep climb getting 2104 meters, with an overall elevation of 1267 meters in 19,3 km, which means an average gradient of 6,3%. Nevertheless, there are many passages at 11%, 12%, and 13%. No doubt Coll de Pal is a monster climb in the Pyrenees. See the elevation profile below. The starting point of the climb is a little village called Bagà in the Catalan Pyrenees. It is important to say that this is a no-exit climb, then you have to come back the same way you climbed to Bagà. This is the reason that it has to be stage ending when included in some event (professional race, granfondo, etc.). Coll de Pal has been included several times in major professional races, but it was a while ago. It was in Volta a Catalunya years 1978 and 1989, and also in the Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme (not disputed since 2005) years 2002, 2003 and 2005 (winners Giuseppe Guerini, Dario Frigo, and a certain Alberto Contador). Also, there is a very nice granfondo which includes Coll de Pal in the route. This is "Els 4 cims", a demanding granfondo which includes 4 big climbs as Coll de la Creueta, Collada de Toses, Coll de la Merolla and finally Coll de Pal (as an optional climb, given that arriving to Bagà cyclists did already 143 km). Do not hesitate to climb up to Coll de Pal if you want a demanding cycling challenge!
Coll de Pal is an amazing hidden gem in the Catalan Pyrenees. It is a very steep Hors Categorie climb which deserves much more fame than actually has. The overall numbers say it all. It is a very steep climb getting 2104 meters, with an overall elevation of 1267 meters in 19,3 km, which means
Today we climbed one of the toughest roads in the region, Mont Caro, near Tarragona, southern Catalonia. 1441 mts height after 20 km. It will be stage ending in Volta a Catalunya pro race next March. Such a steep climb and such a nice day! Thanks to Sergi Ros de Mora, www.rosdemora.com amazing picture as usual!
Today we climbed one of the toughest roads in the region, Mont Caro, near Tarragona, southern Catalonia. 1441 mts height after 20 km. It will be stage ending in Volta a Catalunya pro race next March. Such a steep climb and such a nice day! Thanks to Sergi Ros de Mora, www.rosdemora.com amazing picture as
