Lance Armstrong and Radioshack

He'll be back in Girona. This time he and the new team SadioShack will be taking part in La Volta a Catalunya UCI Pro Race. A one week tour that this year has moved to the end of March.
We are holding the annual Breakaway Spring training Camp and an excellent opportunity to ride and see the Volta. We will have the chance to see the first two stages of the race with exclusive passes from La Volta organization.
More information and sign ups at: breakawaybikes.com

Curtis Cramblett

My friend Lucas Euser told me a good friend of his was coming to Girona.
Curtis has been the physical therapist helping Lucas recover from a knee injury. He is going to do bike fits for the news guys on the Garmin team as they have a training camp in town.

I met Curtis and spent sometime walking around Girona. We had lunch before going back to the hotel. As it was early, Curtis was very nice to check a few things that were bothering my body after the car accident.
The following days he got a team bike and we have been riding for 2-3 hours during the mornings.
These are some of the pictures:

Curtis Cramblett revolutionsinfitness.com

Thanks for all the tips and help!
Jaume

Garmin's garage Sale

The previous week Will emailed the info about the garage sale and we started to get excited and pass it to all of our friends.
It's Saturday morning. The word has spread and lots of people show up.

The Team is part of Girona and it's a great opportunity to look for unique stuff. Hang out and stay for lunch at the restaurant that holds the event.

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Joe's Rides

More great days of riding. Joe came from Portland to ride a few days in Girona and nearby areas. He ended up staying the whole time in Girona. This charming city has something :-) As it is easy to feel at home.
These are some of the pictures we took during the rides to Costa Brava, Medieval Emporda and to the base of Sant Hilari (the complete ride would be accomplished later)


Thank you so much for your three day guided support on my rides. Your knowledge of the area and the roads was invaluable and allowed me to just focus on riding. You seem to know every highway, road, and back alley in and around Girona. I can't imagine being with a more professional, enjoyable guide. It was truly a great experience. I will not hesitate to recommend Bikecat to my friends that are thinking of going over. Thanks again for all the help and look me up if you get over to Portland.

Joe

Eric and Lawrence

The cardiologist Congress took place in Barcelona - European Society of Cardiology (ESC) just an hour away from Girona, that was a great chance to stop by Girona and ride. That is what Eric and his friend Lawrence decided to do. Eric had come with us the 2 previous years, so he knew what to expect...
We had prepared a new ride, Susqueda reservoir. These are the pictures of that day. A good example of exercise and keeping your heart healthy!

2009

It’s been long since I wrote last time. Indeed we have been working on tours and guided rides a lot during the second part of 2008, and so time on the computer besides work was rather short…
But now we are back and I would like to start the 2009 season thanking everyone that came in 2008. Especially Bill from Guy’s Bicycles wth whom we had a lot of fun. We also got to know many new friends which we hope to see in the future. I hope you all enjoy this slide show with some of the best pictures.
Also, I look forward seeing and riding with Matt’s and Co group from Calgary with whom we spent a magnificent tour. We are now preparing the Wine Tour in South Catalonia that I am sure they will love. But I will talk more about it in following posts.

Saludos!! Jaume

Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

Picture Gallery

2008 sees the 88th edition of the "La Volta" Ciclista a Catalunya, one of the oldest races on the UCI Pro Tour Calendar.
Throughout the history of this race it has started in as far-flung regions as Andorra, Mallorca, France and even Italy but it is of course focused on the roads of the Catalan region of north-eastern Spain.
Totaling about 900 km in full, stage one starts with a 3.7 km time trial in Lloret and then it’s on to the six remaining days comprising the one-week stage race which finishes up in the great town of Barcelona.
Due to its place in the riding calendar (after the Giro d’Italia), La Volta a Catalunya is the traditional preparation ground for Pro teams to competing in the Tour de France.
The overall winner receives a white and green striped jersey. In addition, as a week-long stage race, The Volta a Catalunya is the third oldest cycling stage race in the world (first time in 1911), only behind the Tour de France (1903) and the Giro d’Italia (1909).

Be part of the History, ride with us La Volta a Catalunya!

Emily and Jack. Tour for Two

We had been preparing this tour for several months.

May came and everything was ready to start. I prefer that this time, Emily and Jack take the blog to write about the week.

Our cycling experience with you in Girona, Spain this May was truly a pleasure. From the day we began planning and inquiring about Bike Cat, you provided a level of hospitality and warmth that is rarely seen. Although it was just the two of us, you gave us the whole trip – frills and all. It was quite special!

We arrived in Girona feeling as though we had known you for ages! What we were about to experience was so far beyond our expectations.

Everything came together in this magical way – the hotel and staff was impeccable, the location of the hotel put us right in the center of everything and we felt like locals in no time. We have never eaten so well and the meals you selected for us were some of the most delicious food we have ever had. We loved how we developed an understanding of Catalan cuisine through the amazing meals you organized. And most of all, thanks for sharing a part of your childhood with us. We loved learning about the Catalan culture through your eyes.

Now for the riding – oh wow! We are still speechless, nearly 3 weeks later! First, a gorgeous Road Book - giving us a synopsis of all the rides, important aspects of the locales we were headed to and information about the terrain both visually and in words.

Each night we would study the book for the next ride and when the ride ended, we logged our time and mileage. This information was invaluable – thoughtfully developed!

The rides were so perfectly timed and put together – we were never outside of our capability but were also incredibly challenged. Lunch was perfectly timed so that we never were short on calories and gave us time to reflect, learn about one another, and discuss the ride. The routes were absolutely stunning, breathtaking, relaxing, all of the above!

In between the riding – Debbie was a dream. We got in the car to head to Figueres and it was like chatting with an old friend. It was also refreshing to learn about Spain from a familiar perspective – being from the States. She let us decide what we had in mind for the day and it we truly enjoyed both the Espelt Winery and The Dali Museum.

Again the hospitality was just overwhelming. We so enjoyed meeting and spending time with Debbie.

Thanks for going the extra mile and taking us to the Volta. We have never been to a UCI Pro Tour race before and it was incredible. It was a great way to top off our tour.
We are so grateful for all the effort you put in to make our vacation the trip of a lifetime. We had the most amazing experience and are already talking about when we can go back.
Thank you for everything! We would not change a thing.

Emily Holdge

Temps de Flors

One magical week in May, Girona opens up to visitors displaying its inner charms. From churches to museums, and even private homes, inventively show off the artistic talents of its inhabitants as well as the intrinsic beauty of Girona. The whole town is in bloom as you wander between displays, taste special "flower" menus in restaurants, and view storefronts all joining in on the festival. What makes this week most magical are the places you can only visit this special week of the year, any other time you could just imagine what is behind those closed doors.

Debbie

Frank & Art

I met frank last year when he spent several days in nearby S'Agaró. We did a few rides, enough to make plans for the following year.

This time, Frank and his friend Art spent a weekend in Barcelona to see the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Catalunya in Montmeló and do some sightseeing before coming to Girona. we spent 3 days of good riding and enjoying spring landscapes. The last day Frank and myself joined Xavi, Michael, Hincapie and Mike Friedman for a ride. But after the first hour, I had a flat and we split. Enjoy the pictures! See you soon!

Spring - Summer

Feels like summer today!

A really sunny day out. Riding along Les Serres and Estanyol, the fields are green and the spring shows its flowers blooming everywhere.
On the way back we met up with another group of riders (ex-team mates) and good friends.
There are so many people riding when the weather starts to warm up.
Spring is here!

Gail and Brad enjoying lunch. well, it is already gone...

WOMEN'S TRAINING CAMP

This is our last day; relaxing in Girona

We are very happy to meet you and we hope to see you all next year!

Take care and enjoy racing

Women's Training Camp - DAY 6

Sant Hilari - 135Km The longest stage of the week, the queen stage!
It is a long day and everything is ready. Debbie, in the van, carries extra warm clothing for the top and many different snacks, powerbars, fruits and drinks for the ride.
The day is clear and no rain is expected.
The first part of the ride is relatively flat until Arbucies, where we start the climb up to Sant Hilari. about 20km of gradual climb, with magnificient views to the Turó de l'Home mountain still covered with snow.
It is cold at the top, and after 3 km of descent we stop in a bar to warm up with a cafe con leche (cafe amb llet). Debbie and Diane arrive a minute later and we start the long 20km descent. It is pretty cold, but we are now dressed properly.
At the base, we stop for lunch and hot chocolate. Replenish energy for the last km to Girona.



This has been the last day of riding with the camp. And we don't want to say goodbye. We go shopping to get some food for tonight. We will have our last dinner at the apartments. Catalan home food: pa amb tomaquet, Spanish cheeses, jamon (ham) chorizo and Llangonissa, and Potato omelette.

Tomorrow early morning Phil and Diane are leaving. It is sad for us, but we are happy everything went perfect and the weather respected us.

Women's Training Camp - DAY 5

The recovery day before the long stage on Saturday.
The day starts sunny, but the forecast shows scattered showers almost everywhere in Catalonia. It looks like we will get wet today.
Dede comes with us too, and we go to the Pont de Pedra for a group picture before starting the ride.

We leave Girona to follow the route where the new high voltage power lines may be in the near future.
The first part of the ride is great, but the sky is getting dark. When the first drops begin to fall, we take a short cut to Girona. Although it is not raining much, we decide to go back faster. We have covered most of the ride and enough for the recovery day.

Women's Training Camp - DAY 4

Another day to the coast! 125Km
And the weather is super nice again! Two climbs today: Romanya and then Els Angels on the way back to Girona.
Enjoy the pictures as we did the ride

Women's Training Camp - DAY 3

Today's ride is called Les Serres. A series of loops around Girona and 3 easy climbs. 93Km along narrow roads in the countryside.
This morning only Jessy, Kele and Theresa are riding and Dede is also joining us.
We are going to have a nice ride and share experiences with Dede.



A stop for coffee in Santa Coloma is the perfect chance to try the unique "coca de ratafia" (yes, it was planned) Everybody enjoyed it! On the way back David (Bicis Esteve and my teammate) joined us back to Girona and took pictures of all of us.

Tonight we have a typical catalan dinner in a masia (traditional catalan farm/country house). Some decide to try the pork and beef cheeks, as it is one of the most popular dishes and specialties of the area.

Women's Training Camp - DAY 2

After Kele arrived last night, the group is now complete.
Today's ride is Sant Grau. 105Km with the 5 km climb up to Sant Grau and a last steep km.
The forecast showed warmer temperatures and when we start it's nice and sunny. although it is windy!

Women's Training Camp - DAY 1

First ride: Santa Pellaia. 74Km
We have a presentation before the ride about the weeks program, the rides and after ride activities, and...the weather. The forecast is not optimistic and shows 3 depressions coming through. That is possible rain starting monday night and extended during the week.
I cant believe how cold it got in one day. After a warm weekend, 26ºC (79F) this morning is only 11ºC. Feels like winter brrrrr!
We take a second round of hot cafes con leche while Dede Barry and Xavi join us for the ride.
We are ready to start!
Robert, a friend of ours, joins us too. Our group is growing and we will share our cycling in Girona experiences with everybody.

Rolling down the cobblestones streets of the old quarter, heading out of Girona.
We take a 3rd round of coffees in Monells. Ricard and Ryder (Slipstream) stop by and we start the second part of the ride together.

Women's Training Camp - DAY 0

Pick ups at the airport in the morning.
For some it's the first time, but I cant wait to see Phil and Diane. They have been coming to Girona many years and this camp was thought for their team.
Gary and Theresa were here with the Fast Freddie Training camp 2 years ago.
They all arrive on time and with ALL bags. That's great!

In the afternoon we arrive in Girona, lunch and rest to recover from the jet lag.

WOMEN'S TRAINING CAMP

Everything is ready! We are going to Barcelona to meet the cyclists upon their arrival. Tomorrow is the start day. We have ahead a week of riding and fun.