Girona - Costa Brava Easter Training Camp
4 Apr 2023 - 10 Apr 2023
Finding inspiration to ride during colder temperatures tough? Well Grand Tours Project has a solution for you! Fabulous hotels - one perched on cliffs overlooking the sea; the other in the midst of cycling mecca Girona. Five full days of riding and training to help you reach your potential.
Girona, a cyclist mecca, is a destination for professional teams, enthusiastic riders as well as those keen to immerse themselves in the cycling café culture. Together Girona and the Costa Brava offer varied riding opportunities - mountain climbs and descents, rolling countryside, flat routes, lakeside circuits and the beautiful coastal routes from the border with France to Blanes, just north of Barcelona. There is something for everyone.
This week-long camp is an extension of the Long Weekend Costa Brava Girona Camp. Like that camp, it will encompass nutrition, the importance of pre warm ups, appropriate cycle kit for cool weather riding, climbing and descending techniques, interval training, and the etiquette and skills required for peloton riding and more.
We can't promise you summer temperatures, but we can deliver invigorating and inspiring rides in possibly all weather conditions, modern luxury after a day of training and ready to continue your riding at home.
Total price: FROM €3,300
- Expert cycle training advice
- Fully supported and guided cycling
- 5 full days of cycle training
- Beautiful Costa Brava accommodation
- Two access passes to the Parador de Aiguablava Hotel Spa
- Local Mediterranean cuisine
- Visit and explore Girona
- Bike rental available
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Day 1 - Tuesday 4 April
Bienvenido a la Costa Brava
20km / 350m
Parador de Aiguablava HotelWe will collect you from Girona or Barcelona Airport at a predetermined time and take you to our amazing hotel. After check in, we’ll have time to reassemble and fit bikes before heading off for a ride along the coast.
Back at the hotel you can relax and enjoy the views. At drinks we will discuss the weather and plans for the next few days and then enjoy our first dinner at the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant.
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Day 2 - Wednesday 5 April
Begur - L’Escala - Begur
75km / 700m
Parador de AiguablavaBefore breakfast, we will have a gym and stretching session, where you will learn the important cyclist exercises - warm up, workout, cool down, stretch and resting your body.
After an energy loading breakfast we will ride from the hotel to Begur and head north towards Castell del Montgri and then through the National Park to L’Escala. During the ride, the guide will offer advice on riding in a tight group, the various signals, as well as answer any cycling queries you have. After a light lunch we’ll zig zag along the inland country roads back to our hotel.
The hotel spa is available to you to relax and enjoy before dinner.
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Day 3 - Thursday 6 April
Via Els Angels Route
80km / 1,250m
Parador de AiguablavaOur day of climbing and descending today. Our professional guide will be there to provide advice on the different ways to taking advantage of the hilly terrain, you will be advised of some technical and metabolic climbing exercises, and tackling the various climbing gradients. You will also be instructed on how to be confident on riding long fast downhill straights and on hairpins. Knowing how to take corners confidently helps you keep up with friends and it's also safer ...and fun!
The support van will be there to collect you on the last descent and transfer you back to the hotel. The hotel spa is waiting for you!
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Day 4 - Friday 7 April
Begur - Tossa de Mar - Girona
90km / 1,000m
Hotel Palau de Bellavista GironaToday our guide will ensure there are opportunities to have bursts of speed and moments of coasting!
The focus will be on specific time trial techniques, team structure, riding in flat terrain and possibly against the wind. We will take an opportunity to teach you what to do in an "emergency moment" when the echelon is in race mode.
It is a long and beautiful coastal ride to beautiful Tossa de Mar for lunch and then an ascent over Coll de Terra Negra and onto Girona and our next hotel.
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Day 5 - Saturday 8 April
Figueres - Banyuls-sur-Mer - Portbou - Cadaques
95km / 1,350m
Hotel Palau de Bellavista GironaToday we will practice our climbing and descending skills. After breakfast we will transfer to Figueres and head up into the mountains before passing over into France (bring your passport!). At the coastal town of Banyuls-sur-Mer we turn south along the stunning coastline until we reach delightful Cadaques. Somewhere along the coastal route we’ll find a great lunch place to replenish and refresh. You can stop in Cadaques or ride over to Roses.
We’ll transfer you back to our hotel in Girona.
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Day 6 - Sunday 9 April
Espai Natural de les Guilleries-Savassona Loop
120km / 1,700m
Hotel Palau de Bellavista GironaThe big beautiful ride today but no stress if it's too much, the GTP van will be there to support you.
We start with a gradual incline ride from our hotel and then we’re in the mountains and on a sinuous road beside the Susqueda Reservoir. We emerge from Espai Natural de les Guilleries-Savassona briefly before heading back in and over to Angles.
During the ride, use the opportunity to gain further advice from our guide.
Back at the hotel, relax and recharge as we have a celebratory dinner and awards to give out!
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Day 7 - Monday 10 April
Despedida
We hope that you are feeling fantastically fit and fabulous after about 500km and 6,000m of riding! Not long before the cycle season sees everyone back on their bikes and you will be ready!
We’ll help you pack up and take you to your departure point for your onward journey.
Nos vemos en el camino!
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With international travel regulations causing continued uncertainty, we have made it our priority to implement COVID-19 hygiene procedures to ensure you a safe and worry-free holiday. Here's what you can expect when you choose to travel with Grand Tours Project.
Hygiene Consideration on your trip:
- Hand sanitizer will be available at all times and located in convenient areas to ensure the possibility of regular disinfecting and washing of hands.
- All guests and staff will be provided with face masks that must be worn where necessary. (for example in vehicles, where a distance of 1.5m can not be obtained between guests etc.)
- The disinfectant spray will also be readily available to be used to sanitise physical equipment such as surfaces, boxes, bottles etc.
- Staff will disinfect all vehicles daily on tour and bikes will continue to be cleaned daily.
- Staff will prepare and serve any food with gloves and face masks.
Pre, during and post-trip measures:
- All staff will be tested 24 hours before each tour departure.
- Guests must comply with government rules set by the host country (This may include quarantine upon arrival).
- Regular temperature checks will be taken by staff and guests throughout the trip.
- If a guest or member of staff displays symptoms of COVID-19 they will immediately be put into an isolation point and a medical test will be organised at the earliest convenience.
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A Work in Progress by Grand Tours Project
Grand Tours Project aims to become a B Corp recognised environmental and socially sustainable business. We have commenced the process of identifying the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that apply to us.
We are assessing our impacts, designing methods of measurement, and setting achievable short term and long-term goals that will help Grand Tours Project become a sustainable business.
We are sure that this process will be a steep learning curve and hope that you will support and critique our work as we undertake this journey.
