The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Transpirenaica – The Spanish Pyrenees 2024

August 28th to September 14th

Ride Coordinator: Grant McAlister
Report by: Susan Lowery

The inaugural tour of this ride comprised 10 BAC riders, 6 of whom were first timers. We began in the coastal town of San Sebastián, a gourmand’s delight ( the city boasts 7 or so Michelin star restaurants ), with many nice beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. The tour was supported by Borja, an accomplished cyclist, who works for Simon Profitt’s company, Iberocycle. He did an amazing job putting together the route, choosing the hotels and briefing us on each day’s ride. He is also the  company’s bicycle mechanic who maintains their quality rental fleet. My bike had only been ridden once, had DI2 shifting and good climbing gears. Some of the hotels had spas where one could indulge in saunas, steam rooms, baths and massage. Many had swimming pools.

Grant likes to climb, so needless to say the route was not flat. Most days there was the standard option and then a longer route for the more ambitious. Many of the climbs were long - 5-10 miles but would average 3-5 percent. That being said, of course there were steeper sections. Twice there were four hard days followed by a rest day. The last few days had less climbing and shorter distances allowing more time for sightseeing.

We left the sea for the green hills of the Basque Country and Borja taught us a few phrases. The language is unique, its origin unknown. It was possible to ride to the Spanish start of the traditional Camino de Santiago in Roncesvalles where one encountered many pilgrims. We happened across a town festival in Ochagavía where people were dressed in local costumes performing tasks as done in traditional times. We continued through the province of Navarre, through Andorra on our way to Catalonia, where we ended in Girona. Along the way there were many monasteries, churches and museums to explore. Unfortunately if there was a festival day they were either closed or hours were decreased. We rode to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dali, where one can tour his birth home and museum. In Cadaqués you can visit his home if you can conjure up a ticket. You can ride to the Mediterranean from there out to stunning Cap Creus but the 40 mph winds when we were there made it very difficult. We stayed in Girona a few extra days to enjoy the cycling culture there and be a tourist.

Most of the time we were on quiet roads but sometimes there was only one option, like going in and out of Andorra, so one had to contend with lots of cars and trucks, usually with a good shoulder. The Spanish drivers are amazingly courteous. Prepare for rain and cool weather as you are in the mountains. All in all it was a fun, challenging trip I would recommend.