Prices from £850
GIRONA-RENDEZVOUS
Fancy a holiday?
The perfect way to kick start your season, Hotchillee’s Girona-Rendezvous is more like a cycling holiday than an event, with no early starts and no time pressure. Based in the heart of Girona’s Old Town with its ancient stone streetscape, iconic cycling cafes and delightful restaurants spilling out onto the pavements, you don’t even need to ride a bike to have an amazing time.
Road Riding
Those opting to join our road rides will quickly realise why so many of the pro peloton call Girona home – there are so many options. With seemingly endless silky, quiet roads there’s varied riding in every direction, all boasting stunning views and so few cars you can count them on one hand. From cruising along sunny ocean promenades to climbing up snow capped peaks, we’ve refined our road routes to help you get the most out of the stunning Catalan landscape.
Gravel Adventures
Gravel riders will hit the rough stuff almost from the off and explore the rugged beauty of the region on the path less travelled.
Both options are supported by local guides and are no drop rides, ridden at a sociable pace with coffee and lunch stops if and when needed – it’s up to you.
Premium members of Hotchillee can enter this event using a 10% membership discount.
Price from
£850
355KM
Road
291KM
Gravel
4
Days in saddle
5
Nights included
3
Fitness*
Semi-supported
*This is based on 1 being a beginner and 5 being an expert.
355KM
Road
291KM
Gravel
4
Days in saddle
5
Nights included
3
Fitness*
Semi-supported
*This is based on 1 being a beginner and 5 benig an expert.
SPEAK TO OUR TEAM
If you have any questions or just need some advice why not book a call with one of our team members.
ITINERARY
The below itinerary is provisional. Routes are from 2023, but expect something similar in 2024.
Arrival day. You can fly directly to Girona from Stansted. The event hotel, the Hotel Carlemany, Plaça Miquel Santaló i Pavor, 1, 17002 Girona, Spain is a 20 min taxi ride away.
If you are via Barcelona airport, there are options to take a taxi, train or bus service. We will provide participants with more details via the Hotchillee app.
Meet at the hotel bar at 18:30 for complementary welcome drinks before heading off to dinner at your leisure.
Meet at 09:00 to roll at 09:30.
Road – Hincapie Els Angels, 68km / 1201m
Quiet back roads, twisty climbs, and buttery smooth descents are the order of the day. Taking on two of Girona’s must-do climbs, Santa Pellaia (4.5km at 4%) and Els Angels (5.5km at 6%) – enjoy a fabulous day on small roads, passing through medieval towns, and enjoying all Girona has to offer.
Gravel – Girona Landscape, 61.2km / 700m
A grippy start to the day as you tackle 2.5km at 8% to work your way above Girona and on to that good good gravel. The Girona landscape loop is exactly that – great views and varied terrain as you navigate the rolling hills around Girona. A mix of steep, fast, flat, and fun is what is in store for you.
A late afternoon city walk will be organised for those who want to explore this beautiful old city.
Pre-dinner drinks are encouraged in the hotel bar from 19:30 before dinner at your leisure.
Meet at 09:00 to roll at 09:30.
Road – Susqueda Loop, 96.2km / 1656m
Leaving Girona behind and heading up the steady drag of the Vall de Llemena are the first 25km of today’s ride. With the drags done it is time to tackle the first climb of the day Les Encies – 3km in length and 4% average gradient. The main treat for the day starts after 45km as you climb up to the dam wall of Panta de Susqueda – the rough road gives way to smooth and secluded tarmac with the epic view over the dam wall awaiting you at the top.
Gravel – TBC
Pre-dinner drinks are encouraged in the hotel bar from 19:30 before dinner at leisure.
Meet at 09:00 to roll at 09:30.
Lunch is included today with both groups eating around the pool at Rocacorba Cycling. Chill around the pool, soak up the sun and enjoy magnificent views whilst filling up on fresh local food. Non-riding partners also join us here.
Road – Banyoles-Rocacorba, 103.8km / 2065m
Tackling Els Angels again, but this time from the Girona side, the 10km at 3% is a beautiful way to escape into the Girona countryside. The rolling hills and quiet farm roads are the warm up for the main course, the Rocacorba Climb. The famous climb is known as the testing climb for the pro’s; it’s steep and constantly changing gradients make it a great test for pro’s and amateurs alike. Pace yourselves wisely as it gets tougher by the kilometre.
Gravel – Banyoles Long Loop, 72km, 1089m
The early kilometres leaving Girona behind are easy before some rolling hills into Banyoles. The ridge line from Medinya at kilometre 11 is a particular highlight with spectacular views on both sides. After a lap around the beautiful lake Banyoles you climb the first 3km of Rocacorba before turning on to the dirt – confronting a steep kilometre of climbing and the some good downhill fun back in to Girona.
Pre-dinner drinks are encouraged in the hotel bar from 19:30 before dinner at leisure.
Meet at 09:00 to roll at 09:30.
Road – Tossa de Mar i Sant Grau, 94.2km / 1217m
No trip to Girona is complete without riding along the Costa Brava. The rugged coastline begins once you reach Tossa de Mar. A series of small climbs and fabulous twisty descents lead you to the 7km Sant Grau climb which averages 6%. The road is lined with beautiful old cork trees as you wind your way up the twisty climb with the sea behind you. Make sure to enjoy the views on some of the amazing hairpins.
Gravel – To Rustik, 89.3km / 796m
Fast and fun is the aim of the day – with a delicious Nutella filled croissant at the halfway stop of Rustik Cafe. The gravel roads into the Emporda are fast, fun, and flowy. The perfect way to end the trip.
Dinner is included this evening so look forward to a three course dinner with wine hosted by the Hotchillee team.
Departure day. Meet at 08:00 for a short, final ride (unsupported).
PERFECT TRAKA PREP!
The Traka comes to town on May 1st 2024.
With Girona hosting one of the biggest gravel events of the season, and a who’s-who of the gravel cycling scene descending upon the Catalan city, why not stick around and soak up the buzz?
If you’re planning on riding the Traka, Girona Rendezvous is the perfect preparation, as you’ll be fully acclimatised to the local trails before the main event. Plus you’ll know all the best bars and cafés to “recover” in afterwards.
PRICE & UPGRADES
BOOK YOUR PLACE
Members £850 (when using £95 coupon code)
Non-members £945
- 5 nights accommodation in 4* hotel in centre of Old Town (twin sharing)
- Breakfast at hotel
- 4 days of guided rides
- GPX routes
- Welcome drinks on first evening
- Lunch at Rocacorba Cycling on Day 5
- 3 course dinner with wine on last evening
- Hotchillee representative based at hotel
- Airport transfers
- Meals
- Drinks
- Traka entry
It’s Your Holiday
Girona-Rendezvous is a semi-supported Hotchillee experience, which leaves you with plenty of free time to explore everything Girona has to offer. Enjoy some of the excellent local restaurants and bars, stroll around the beautiful old town, or relax with a siesta – it’s your call. Girona is also the perfect destination for non-cycling partners and friends.
Semi-Supported Event
At Hotchillee, we pride ourselves on providing the very best experience for our riders and guests. The level of support we offer depends on the nature of the experience. For semi-supported events, you can expect a relaxed, holiday atmosphere, and while we have crew based at the hotel, we don’t offer mechanical or vehicle support. Our guides can help with basic mechanical issues, and there are plenty of bike shops in the cycling mecha of Girona for bigger issues. With the exceptions listed, evening meals, lunches and coffee stops are not scheduled and need to be paid for by riders as required.
Become a Hotchillee Premium member and save £95 when entering this event. Premium membership costs £8 a month with your first 30 days free. Click here for full list of benefits.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
Upgrade to single occupancy
Bring a non-riding partner to relax in the sunshine whilst you’re on your bike.
Price includes
Welcome drinks
Accommodation
Breakfast
Walking tour of Girona Old Town
Visit and lunch Rocacorba Cycling where you can relax around the pool
Dinner on last evening
ACCOMMODATION
4* hotel
You’ll be staying in a 4* hotel in the heart of Girona with its own bike room/store and easy access to the historic old town, shops and cafes. Entry includes sharing a twin room with another rider unless you have selected to upgrade to a single room on registration.
Let's prepare together
From the point you register chat directly with fellow participants, the Hotchillee team, and industry experts on dedicated event groups on the Hotchillee companion app.
FAQ
You can fly directly to Girona from Stansted. The event hotel, the Hotel Carlemany, Plaça Miquel Santaló i Pavor, 1, 17002 Girona, Spain is a 20 min taxi ride away.
Or if flying into Barcelona airport then you have some different options:
Transfer – we have used and can recommend Genis Taxi +34 695 11 48 86. Genis have a bike trailer and can take up 5 passengers and bikes.
If you want to buddy up with people on similar flights we suggest you reach out to fellow riders on the companion app, #girona_rendezvous group.
Train – from experience driving out of Barcelona to Girona there can be heavy traffic, so getting the train may be quicker.
Train from the airport to the centre of Barcelona is called Sants and runs every 25 mins. This ticket needs to be purchased at the airport station.
Fast train (AVE) from Barcelona Sants that takes 38 mins to Girona.
You can see the times and cost (BCN-GIR) on this website: https://www.renfe.com/es/en. Please note: when booking online, the fast train has certain restrictions when carrying a bike bag. You need to add this option to your cart.
“Passengers travelling on AVE (high-speed) trains are only allowed to travel with a packaged or folded bike. An add-on does not need to be purchased if the dimensions do not exceed 180 cm when all three are added. You must request the add-on below if these dimensions are exceeded on AVE (maximum): 120x90x40 cm)”
Slower trains (Media Distancia) from Barcelona Sants that takes 1h30 mins to Girona.
You have to buy these tickets at Barcelona Sants station but you can check times on the Renfe website.
“You can travel with a packaged or folded bike on Media Distancia trains with no need to purchase add-ons. Passengers who wish to travel with a bike that has not been disassembled must request it below. Passengers travelling on AVE (high-speed) trains are only allowed to travel with a packaged or folded bike. An add-on does not need to be purchased if the dimensions do not exceed 180 cm when all three are added. You must request the add-on below if these dimensions are exceeded on AVE (maximum): 120x90x40 cm)”
Bus – Bus ride directly from the airport to Girona, 2.5 hour ride https://www.sagales.com
Note: bicycles must go into the luggage area of the bus, except in the case of folding bicycles.
The maximum number of bicycles that fit on the bus is 5 in the luggage compartment. The service providing company may limit access after evaluating safety or other factors
Our good friends at Rocacorba Cycling have an impressive fleet of hire bikes both road and gravel, when making enquiries be sure to mention that you are a Chillee and Ed and his team will look after you.
The Service Course also have a good selection of both road and gravel bikes to hire, as do Eat Sleep Cycles.
Girona has many restaurants where you can enjoy a wide range of cuisines including Catalan, Basque, Mediterranean, Oriental, signature, fusion, market, vegetarian, and many more. Trip Advisor recommend.
There will be groups for both road and gravel each day with ride leaders, however we do recommend you bring a bike navigation device and gpx routes will be made available.
Yes for each ride we will have a local guide and / or a Hotchillee guide. We work to a ratio of one guide per 10 riders.
Loads is the simple answer! Girona is a beautiful city and there is lots to discover from mediaeval city walks, shopping or wine tasting. More information can be found here.
Our Rendezvous’ are very relaxed and social. No early morning roll calls or time pressured coffee stops, this trip is more like a cycling holiday than a multi stage, timed event. We use local guides and most days you are back early or mid afternoon to relax, shop, drink beer, sleep, or whatever takes your fancy! Dinners are at leisure with the exception of the final night when we come together to celebrate the week and say goodbye.
Group speeds will vary depending on the abilities of the groups – there will be 1 guide for every 10 riders and speeds will be decided on the day. We estimate the speed of the slowest group to be approx 18 km/h gravel and 20 km/h road.
SPEAK TO OUR TEAM
If you have any questions or just need some advice why not book a call with one of our team members.
