Saturday 26th March.
A part cloudy and chilly start at 4c, woken up by a friendly wood pigeon ably assisted on percussion by a persistent woodpecker, also evident as I stuck my head outside was the amount of other birds in the trees, Jay, Magpie, Sparrows, Goldfinches, Blackcap, Tree Creeper and plenty more that I couldn’t identify.
We had decided to start our week while waiting for the club to arrive today with a ride into Girona to explore the town. I allowed Komoot to suggest a route (big mistake) , it all started so well, out of the camp site up the very steep and narrow streets of Esponella and some quiet roads to Banyoles but then it routed us on some very busy roads and when it had us turning on the fast dual carriageway that is the C66, Kaye thought better of it so seeing no obvious alternative roads and not being familiar with the area we decided to turn around and take in a few of the outlying small villages stopping at Serinya for coffee (€4 for 2 coffees) , Returning to the campsite I decided to take in a few more of the very narrow roads through Esponella, the settlement is very old but the vast majority of buildings have been well maintained, a lovely display of Irises and Sedum Palmeri in window boxes. The winding alleys must have been interesting to traverse before the bypass was put in and even digging through Wikipedia I could find no history of the town. A very pleasant first ride in the area which gives it a great feel for the week ahead.
Sunday 27th March
A balmy 11c to start and after overnight rain we had complete cloud cover as we broke out the bikes and cycled up to Hotel Mas Peligri to meet our fellow club members for a 10-15 start.
After the obligatory club photo we rolled out for the 100km ride to Els Angels and then Girona for lunch.
From the start we enjoyed beautiful rolling countryside through Fontcoberta and Vilavenut, the roads were all good rolling surfaces which made cycling a pleasure, just pedalling along and chatting in the sunshine is what you dream about all Winter. On through Orriols and the village of Camallera where a tractor with a big bale on a spike on the front gave us all a twitchy moment, he obviously didn’t expect to see us. Some beautiful long downhills followed by the inevitable compensating climbs. Through Flaca and Sant Marti Vell before the big climb of the day to Els Angels where we all regrouped for a Kodak moment.
Another sweeping downhill, this time into Girona for lunch. The old part of the city was beautiful and we eventually settled on a pavement cafe, La Taska, for Pizza and coffee. A bit of sightseeing after lunch as people were enjoying the warm sunshine and generally promenading and looking cool. The shorter distance home was welcome and a final stop at the lake at Banyoles for a coffee before the final kilometres home.
A great start to the week with 120k covered and 1500m of climbing.
Monday 28th March
A sunny start but a chilly 4c, the forecast was for the temperature to rise quickly so shorts, short sleeve jersey and arm warmers and some furious pedalling to the start to stay warm. Todays ride was a loop around the Garroxta Volcanic Zone National Park. Our route out was past the lake at Banyoles and St Miguel de Campmajor. Approaching El Torn we were picked up by another Brit who lives and works in the area as a cycle touring guide and gave us a tip for a good cafe stop for coffee and cake in Santa Pau which was a good choice and a great view over the town.
The coffee stop coincidentally marked the start of the climb through the Park, a lot of the road surfaces were in a poor state of repair, twisting and undulating and very reminiscent of Hampshire lanes and potholes. The scenery was lovely but not what I was expecting for a Volcanic region but once at the top our reward was a fast 5k descent to the main road back to Banyoles. After a few kms and just at the top of the next ascent we heard shouting and a sharp application of brakes when we spotted another of our club groups taking coffee at the route split. After exchanging pleasantries and another coffee we carried on ( well we were on holiday ) A very fast run back to Banyoles and as the group headed back to the hotel I carried on to explore a few more roads. I headed towards the hamlet of Vilert on the Rio Fluvia and a frightening but spectacular sight as two very large black boar came out of the trees and across the road in front of me, I certainly would not like to have been hit by them and the first time I have ever seen them. A great end to the ride of 100k and 1500m of climbing.
Tuesday 29th March
A part cloudy start at 7c and a high of only 15, the weather for the rest of the week looked decidedly unsettled so we decided to do our ride to the coast today with L’Escala as our destination and lunch stop. The route out was through open countryside on quiet undulating roads but with a noticeable headwind.
L’Escala has some very important 6th Century BC Roman Ruins and although we cycled up to have a look it was a bit cold in the wind and lunch was calling. Restaurant 1869 provided sustenance on the seafront with good food at a reasonable price. The run back was wind assisted and included a 15k stretch of the N11 as a peloton. Another lap of the lake at Banyoles and we were back. 113km and 1500m of climbing.
Wednesday 30th March
We were awoken in the motorhome by rain on the roof and it was biblical all morning so the club rides were cancelled. The rain finally eased and by 2pm the roads were dry enough for a short ride as the sun appeared. I plotted a short 35k circular route through some of the local villages. From Esponella out through Villert. The countryside is undulating and it seems that oil seed rape is the crop that earns the locals a few Euros. Through Orfes and a beautiful tree lined road, white surface courtesy of traffic from the local quarry.
Gallines was next and the very winding undulating road to Vilavenut. All these villages look very old but the buildings all look like they have had time and money spent on them to keep them up to scratch and all are proud of their heritage flying the Catalan flag with pride.
Font Cobertra was the next little village dwarfed by a magnificent church and by the roadside wild orchids that had been carefully mowed around.
The last village in my mini tour was Centenys, with very narrow streets, well maintained clean streets and an imposing stone arched gateway that gave the impression of a fortress. A very pleasant afternoon and even on the narrow roads Spanish drivers gave you room and slowed, showing patience, a trait sadly lacking in UK.
Thursday 31st March
A dry start but thunderstorms forecast from lunchtime so I joined a group doing the climb to El Mont and it was all about the climb, once it started it was relentless and the group split to ride it at their own pace. The ramps were steep with frequent hairpins and 10k at an average 8% made for some serious pedalling. As you climbed you could feel the temperature drop as you entered the cloud, the final push to monastery at the top was particularly tough but it was a relief to find a cafe for coffee and cake. With the group all together at the top the clouds parted briefly to reveal our winding track up the mountain and some spectacular scenery.
Once all the group were fed and watered it was rain jackets on for a fast, cold descent to Serinya for lunch at the Bypass Cafe. We were probably a bit out of place with the artisans and lorry drivers but a 3 course lunch and wine for €11 per head was a just reward for the mornings effort.
Almost as soon as we arrived the forecast rain had started which made for a wet ride back to the motorhome but a very enjoyable day in good company made it all worthwhile.
Friday 1st April
The last day of the Alton CC cycling week and most were just doing their own thing. A cold start and a chilly wind so I dug out the Winter jersey. I opted for one final climb which was Rocacorba at 983m with a few km of 10%. I joined a few other riders on the route out past the lake at Banyoles and as they carried on I turned left for the climb. I immediately noticed a bit of wind assistance, alas it did not last long and the large gust proved problematic all the way to the top. Some new sections of tarmac had been laid amongst the predominantly poor broken surface and it certainly didn’t help rolling resistance having to pick a path through the rough sections. The roads were still damp from overnight rain and I did notice the rear wheel slip a couple of times when I got out of the saddle, it was certainly a tough climb but at least there were no cars to add to the difficulty. The final 2k seemed endless battling the slope and a gusty headwind but once at the top the pain disappears as the magnificent views kick in. The obligatory selfie to prove I was there and a very strange wooden structure that was presumably a launching ramp for hang gliders. The rain jacket was definite for the way down and a very careful descent on the winding greasy surface had me wondering how much brake pad I had left. Hands and body were well and truly frozen as I stopped in the sun at the bottom to get some heat back into the body. On the way back to Espoella I stopped in the beautiful little hamlet of Centenys to take some photographs after transiting earlier in the week. A beautiful setting with houses and roads renovated and some impressive plant displays gave me garden envy. A lovely end to the week which culminated at a survivors dinner at the Mimolet Restaurant in the centre go Girona.
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