Girona: A worldwide reference for cycling
Girona and the Costa Brava have become, in the last decade, a worldwide reference for both professional and amateur cyclists. For us at Naturaki, fervent lovers of these lands, it doesn't come as a surprise that some of the best cyclists and triathletes in the world are currently training here. The climate, the gastronomy and of course, the variety of landscapes and routes in the outskirts make Girona the ideal place to go on a retirement / stage / city break for cyclists, both professional and amateur. We have calm and safe roads and pleasant temperature all year round, a most appropriate place for cyclotourism!The area offers neverending possibilities, having the great advantage that you cross the territory from side to side, with large straight segments, winding sections and the continuous ups and downs of the land, while discovering exuberant nature and feeling the fusion of sea and mountains, the solitude of the lonely rider or the complicity of riding in group.
Home of a large cycling community
Although we, the locals, were already aware ot this, Lance Armstrong's arrival in Girona in 2001 stressed internationally that the city and its surroundings are ideal for professional cyclists to establish their residence, especially in the months of competition. Nowadays, Girona is home of a large community of professional cyclists (approx. 100 and 3 teams including Garmin-Barracuda), being base camp for training and place for living or starting a business related to cyclotourism. Since 2017, Girona is host of the Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava - Girona Bike Show Festival, where thousand of visitors and the best brands from the bike market meet: apparel and accesories, health and nutrition, urban mobility etc.Road cycling in Girona - wide range of possibilities
Many say that Girona is the best place in the world for road cycling. Take for example the variety of routes in the Alt Empordà - once you leave behind the Aiguamolls Natural Park, the mountain unfolds in front of you in Roses and although it's a low height, the ups and downs will definitely strenghthen your leg muscles. Stop for a visit in Cadaqués, the pearl of the Costa Brava, so that you can reach Cap de Creus - Catalonia's easternmost point - full of ramps that won't give you a minute of rest. Next comes Sant Pere de Rodes - ideal slopes for a hit training. The descent is relaxing, offering the chance to enjoy the olive trees views in Vilajuïga and Llançà.Variety of cycling styles to practice in Girona
However, Girona attracts not only the road cyclist. In the region, you can also practice saddle cycling and slow cyclotourism - pedal and enjoy the dusty paths, infinite fields of cultivation that change colour every season, or the turquoise of the sea, under the unwritten law of discovering new landscapes far from the city, in a respectful manner. The network of green roads (Vies Verdes), pedal paths and secundary roads, makes it possible to discover, on the same journey, precious creeks on the Costa Brava, medieval villages or to cross Pyrenean footpaths. Former railways that connected villages and their industry, they have now been transformed in roads and routes with easy slopes, apt for all ages and physical conditions. The network goes over single natural places suchs as volcanic area of La Garrotxa, the valley of Ter River, Girona, the Gavarres area and the Mediteranean Coast.Last but not least, MTB lovers or professionals can also discover natural parcs of great beauty, charming mountain villages, freedom and thrill from the Pyrenees to the Costa Brava. Enjoy cycling and landscape all year long through the many itineraries, classified depending on difficulty level, and a good complementary offer of Services. Moreover, MTB descent professional cyclist Dave Welch started a tournament two years ago, Girona Gran Fondo, consisting of an urban MTB descent (sportive, not a race), a nocturnal section of road in the city and a chrono climbing to Els Àngels. Once at the top, you can admire the church where surrealist genius Salvador Dalí was married.
