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Places for cycling in Spain

Hey, I am looking for places that would be great base towns for a group of road cyclists. I have been to Italy four times now for road biking and like the idea of staying in one town with a nice hotel, good resturants, some sights to look at in the afternoons and evenings, and then biking around the countryside each day doing routes of 40 to 90 miles or so. Places I have stayed in Italy that are ideal for this include Siena, Lucca, Bormio, Lake Garda, Canezei--scenic, hilly or mountainous, challenging rides.

I am looking for similiar places in northern Spain. Plan would be to fly into Barcelona, leave bike cases at a airport hotel then make a loop around the Pyrenees staying at two towns in Spain and two in France. Hope for 4 or 5 days at each place then drive to the next town. The France side seems easier to find info on some of the famous villages used by the Tour de France or near legendary climbs. But, other than Girona, I don't know much about any other place.

Any ideas to base ourselves? It would probably be next June. Thanks

Posted by
70 posts

I would definitely consider the Basque Country….specifically San Sebastian. We spent a month there this past July and it has everything you mention. I also has a great road cycling culture and tradition.

Check out this bike shop if you go…
http://kili.bike

The guy who runs it used to live in Venture Calif. and worked with Patagonia. He's super nice and they have all sorts of groups rides and guided rides as well that leave out of the shop in San Sebastian.

I would also consider saying a few days further west in Austrias …namely the Picos de Europa …amazing climbs and stunning scenery.

I'm jealous of your trip!

Posted by
3071 posts

Without demeriting our esteemed friends in Basque Country, since you're landing in Catalonia, allow me to provide some info for you to get ideas (and perhaps get enticed to stay, lol!):

From the official Catalan Government Tourism Board: cyclotourism, transroute, BTT
Cyclotourism: route 1, route 2
Brochures: Catalan Pyrenees
Maps: whole of Catalonia, only Catalan Pyrenees

Some commercial proposals: one, two, three

and in case you need specific info, you can contact the Cycling Federation of Catalonia (FCC). Their website is only in Catalan but I'm pretty sure they can assist if you write them or also the Commission of Cyclotourism of the FCC.

... and if you're interested in la Volta a Catalunya (our own tour de france so to speak)

Enjoy!