Day 1: Arrival to Barcelona airport. Transfer to a Golf-Spa-Hotel in French Pyrenees. Bike fittings at the Hotel. We will stay in an area well known for their natural sources of heated water with excellent spa treatments.
Day 2: First ride at the Pyrenees, starting in France and finishing in Spain...col d'Ares and one featured in many Vueltas of Spain, Vallter 2000. 73 km 4 cols. Very challenging and high altitude. 2 ports of 1st Cat with % increasing up to 10% and 12% at the end of the ride. Non-riding partners will do an excursion to the mountain of Canigou. Canigou was long held to be the highest peak in the Pyrenees, and it can be seen for miles around. At an altitude of 2784m, it commands a stunning view of Roussillon, the Mediterranean coast, Catalonia and the eastern Pyrenees, of which it has become the emblem. A visit to the monastery of Canigou founded in 1001 . We will then meet the riders and there will be a reception held by the town major and lunch in a local restaurant. We will then transfer another spa-hotel in the volcanic region.
Day 3: Rest Day. Possibility of Spa treatments and massages. Afternoon:Excursion to visit the medieval town of Besalu founded by the Roman empire and established by the Jewish in the XIII century. This beautiful medieval town was destroyed during the civil war in the 1940s by orders of our ex-dictator Franco. It has been completely rebuilt by the proud people of this town. Also visit Castellfollit de la Roca, a town that stands on a basalt lava flow that is 60 m high, in the middle of a beautiful volcanic landscape.
Day 4: We will ride one of the most beautiful and challenging ciclotourist routes through a Volcanic region. 88 km 3 cols. Fantastic views of the craters. Finish line in the Olympic town of Banyoles.Non riders will visit 2 of the volcanoes and the National park where you will see lush and varied vegetation and have the opportunity to ride in a horse-drawn cart. The peace and beauty of the region has inspired landscape painters from all over the world. Dinner at night at the Castle-Casino of Perelada. This old home of the viscounts of Rocabertí, now one of the largest casinos in Catalonia, is a mosaic of architectural styles. This is where the International Festival of Music of Peralada Castle is held every year. http://www.casino-peralada.com/ing/index.asp
Day 5:The last cycling tour will be a leisurely cycle of 51 km. Leisure but doing one of those not too lofty climbs. 385 meters in all, often used in the Catalan week and is a regular fixture on Amstrong's Tour preparations.. Continuing we will cycle through medieval towns and sunflower fields toward Costa Brava (rugged coastline). With non riders we will visit the incredible museum of Salvador Dali and in the afternoon the walled city of Girona where we will meet the riders. Girona is 2000 years of history in one day!! Founded on 75ac. by the Romans is a city rich in history, due to the influence of Visigoths, arabs, Jews, Charlemagne and Napoleon. Will visit the cathedral, the Arab baths and the ancient jewish quarter one of the best preserved in the world. Not only famous for the rich history but also for being the city in Spain with more shops per person and with some of the best restaurants. Will have dinner in one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Spain.
Day 6: We will finish the trip in probably the nicest coast line in Spain. This area is where the mountains meet the sea. To unwind and relax for the rest of your trip. Stay at a charming family 4* hotel with spectacular sea views, well known for its cuisine.We will take a private boat to stop at some of the amazing beaches in small coves along the coast. Farewell dinner.
Day 7: Bike shipping. Transfer to the airport of Barcelona.
Weather - what to wear?
This area is mostly sunny at this time of the year. However, in the Pyrenees and the volcanic region can be wet/humid at times. Bring appropiate shoes and jackets in case of rain, booties are nice to have in case of rain. Temperatures:
Area
Deg Fah. Max/Min
Pyrenees Girona
73.2/59.8
Volcanic region
75.2/51.8
Costa Brava
80/58
Please bring one formal jacket/outfit for the castle of Perelada, it is quite an upmarket casino.
Cycling facts Col d'Ares: Tour de France in 1948, the italian Gino Bartali, also known "Il Pio" or "Il Vecchio" ("The old") made an extraordinary tour. He had won the tour of 1938, and still today no one has won 2 tours with 10 years of difference. The day before the stage between Biarritz and Lourdes, the leader was the young French promise, Louison Bobet. Gino Bartali had had a bad start in the Tour and he was at 21' 51" of the yellow jersey. The next stage, that crossed col d'Ares, Tourmalet, Peyresourde y Aspin. Bartali won and put himself 18' 18" from the leader. A prohibitive difference for anyone else to win the tour!
Vallter 2000 It has been the final stage of the Vuelta of Spain in 1992 (Rominger) and the Volta of Catalunya in 1986 (Indurain). About 24 km of climbing!... READ ON
History of the region
Sometimes known as French Catalonia, Roussillon is one of the most scenic regions of southern France, bordered by the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. The area overflows with Romanesque architecture and sculpture and was the source of inspiration for a legion of 20th century artists. Céret, an old plane-shaded provincial town, was once known as the Barbizon of Cubism and now boasts a splendid museum of modern art featuring work by Matisse, Chagall, Gris, Miró and Dalí. The situation, on the border between France and Spain, together with its Catalan roots, has conspired to give the area a rich but bloody history. READ ON
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