Cycling Holidays

[RoosterC]

That's a big day out to say the least.

Had a week staying in Crolles back in 2023. It's a spicey climb up to the Bastille! Loved my solo day out through the Chartreuse, stunning scenery and so quiet.

Yes, was my main goal of the summer with a few longer rides to build up to that.

There are not many roads like the climb to the Bastille, where 12% feels nice after the 24% section. I think the steepest part is 33% on the inside of one of the hairpins.

 

[AndyCr15]

In 2027, I will be taking my long leave (6 months off, paid) and this weekend I started looking at what I might do. One plan is to spend a month in Spain, with my bike. I'm thinking Girona is the best option. A wide variety of ride types, hilly, coastal, gravel, a great cycling infrastructure and community and also just a really nice city with things to see and do in the evening (and also easy day trips to Barcelona). I'm also thinking of doing one of those guided trips, like Saddle Skedaddle have a Spain North to South over 2 or 3 weeks. Expensive, but I've been saving up for this time off.

What other websites should I check for trips and is there anything better than Girona (kinda needs to be Spain, as I want to practise my Spanish!)

 

[Invertigo]

Got my first road bike trip away planned for March, anyone got rec's on travel bags/boxes? I suppose the gold standard is the Bike Box Alan Aero easyfit (the £650 road one would fit both my drop bar bikes) and I guess going with bags, while a limited saving, isn't worth the possible risk? Storage isn't an issue. I would however want something that doesnt need handlebars off (integrated cockpit, more hassle than theyre worth maybe?)

 

[Martynt74]

In 2027, I will be taking my long leave (6 months off, paid) and this weekend I started looking at what I might do. One plan is to spend a month in Spain, with my bike. I'm thinking Girona is the best option. A wide variety of ride types, hilly, coastal, gravel, a great cycling infrastructure and community and also just a really nice city with things to see and do in the evening (and also easy day trips to Barcelona). I'm also thinking of doing one of those guided trips, like Saddle Skedaddle have a Spain North to South over 2 or 3 weeks. Expensive, but I've been saving up for this time off.

What other websites should I check for trips and is there anything better than Girona (kinda needs to be Spain, as I want to practise my Spanish!)

I don't think you can really beat Spain. As you say Girona is probably the ideal spot. And gives you access into the Pyrenees/North pretty easy for this

Trans-Pyrenees Ride (Spain & France) - Climate Ride

Embark on an epic, fully-supported cycling odyssey across the majestic Pyrenees, conquering legendary mountain passes and diverse, breathtaking landscapes on a memorable coast-to-coast journey from Girona to San Sebastian.

www.climateride.org

This is another one i sometimes hear about too from Chris Hall podcasts/youtube

Destinations | Eat Sleep Cycle

www.eatsleepcycle.com

 

[AndyCr15]

ESC is one I'd not thought about for guided trips, thanks. We use them a lot, usually for cycle hire and breakfast/post ride food, but not their guided rides.

 

[Martynt74]

Guessing the whole bikepacking/self supported thing isn't really of interest?

Also how do i find a company willing to give me 6 months off paid?

 

[AndyCr15]

Guessing the whole bikepacking/self supported thing isn't really of interest?

Nah, not my thing.

Also how do i find a company willing to give me 6 months off paid?

That's easy. It's the 'work for them for 25 years' that is perhaps the bit you might struggle with.

 

[Martynt74]

Also, just as a dump. Here's a list of long distance events/routes i've got in my bookmarks list! Downside is a lot are gravel and so unsure how much that interests you, although you did mention it in your post


Madrid to Barcelona

Mad to Bcn | Pedalma

Madrid to Barcelona is an unsupported ultracyclingevent that connects Madrid with Barcelona following a 700Km and +7500m track on road .

pedalma.cc

Valencia - Route along an old mining track converted into a bike path

Via Verde de Ojos Negros (Ojos Negros - Sagunto)

Ruta Via Verde de Ojos Negros (Ojos Negros - Sagunto) de Cicloturismo en Ojos Negros, Aragón (España). Descarga el track GPS y sigue el recorrido del itinerario del sendero desde un mapa. Esta ruta recorre la Vía Verde de Ojos Negros, uniendo las localidades de Ojos Negros (Teruel) con Sagunto...

es.wikiloc.com

Various Pyrenees events - Mix of Road/Gravel options

The Trans Pyrenees Race

The Trans Pyrenees Race is a self supported ultra distance cycling event organised by Lost Dot, the team behind the Transcontinental Race. Mike Hall was designing this event back in 2016; his vision was to reward the most adventurous, providing opportunities to beat the clock by facing the most...

www.lostdot.cc

TRANSIBERICA | Transibérica Ultracycling

TRANSIBÉRICA #TRANSPYRENEES2026 TRANSPYRENEES San Sebastian, 28 | June | 2026 The unsupported and one-stage road cycling challenge across the Pyrenees. Transpyrenees is the bikepacking challenge across the Pyrenees, where the […]

www.transiberica.club

Basajaun | Transibérica Ultracycling

The Lord of the Forest . A mythological guardian of the most virgin and remote forests. Protector of the flocks. Share history with other mythological characters from other cultures such as: ogres, trolls, and yetis.

www.transiberica.club

Traka - Worth a consideration for the shorter 200k route if you're in the area anyway? Klassmark also do a few other events around Girona worth looking at

THE TRAKA | Girona

www.thetraka.com

HOME Ranxo by The Traka - RANXO GRAVEL

ranxogravel.com

Graval.CC - Based in Valencia and do a few road/gravel events

GRAVAL – Ultracycling Valencia

graval.cc

Caminos Del Sol - 200mile route. Gets amazing write ups from people that've done it. Could find hotels along the way to break it up. Around Ontinyent which i think you know

Caminos del Sol

Caminos del Sol is a bikepacking route through Spain's mountains between Gandía and Alicante, known for sunshine and history...

bikepacking.com

Montanas Vacias - Similar to the above and based in the mountains of Teruel.

The Route

CONCEPT The main objective of MontañasVacías (empty mountains) is to raise awareness about Spanish Lapland through an off-road bikepacking route (or MTB touring, whatever you call it…) taking…

montanasvacias.com

Not necessarily Spain, but this website always has amazing looking events - Funnily registration for 2026 events open in around an hour!

The Grand Escape

 

[Martynt74]

Nah, not my thing.

That's easy. It's the 'work for them for 25 years' that is perhaps the bit you might struggle with.

Ah yeah. Given i've only been with the current place for 4 years i might struggle!

 

[Martynt74]

Nah, not my thing.

Didn't think so. Most of the "non event" things above are relatively short where you might be ok for a single overnight in a hotel if you don't mind carrying a little.