Barcelona-Girona 103
Posted By Gravel Union
On 6 November 2019
Event Title:
Barcelona-Girona 103
Date:
12 October 2019
Distance:
103 km
Location:
Barcelona to Girona
Country:
Spain
Altitude Gain:
655m
% of Gravel:
90%
Bike Ridden:
Cinelli Zideco
Tyre Width:
38mm
"Well ... the change doesn't look bad at all."
This how we would start a weekend where our initial plans had been cancelled, when we chanced residence. Everything was organised we were heading to Barcelona.
At the collection of bibs at La Eroica Caffè, there already felt a very good atmosphere and a lot of cycling, cycling and beer, laughs, dinner and back to the hotel.
Once the bikes were prepared, we have checked the race bibs and the route in the Garmin, we are all ready for the great adventure!
In Barcelona-Girona 103 there are three routes to choose from (103km, 160km and 200km) and from 7am you can leave to complete them. We have chosen to ride the short route - 103 km that connect Barcelona with Girona, the departure was set for 9:15am.
After breakfast we go to the starting point, a walk with the bike along to the Bessós river. The sky is dark, and the morning is cold - 5km of riding separated the hotel from the event start point and, after just 2km had passed, a few cool drops fall on me, producing me some slight chills.
I look at Clara and say smiling: "If it rains, I return to the hotel" to which she replies: "You must be bad!", We laughed and continued. When we see a few gravel bikes, we assume that they go to the same place as us, we stay behind and follow them. That was correct - there was the starting tent.
After exchanging some words with the other participants, we set off, we ride with a small group, and immediately, we began a pleasant talk, where we are from, what we do ... blah ... blah …
A turn here, another there, entering a road and the Garmin warning us - Hey no! Not here! And at that moment we realised that it was best to stay together to avoid getting lost.
We get fully into pure gravel terrain, between the trees and the Bessós River, which appears from time to time.
Everything we see is beautiful and between laughs, this strange morning keeps moving forward.
A little thin rain begins to fall, the sun is barely visible and that means that there is no excessive heat, the temperature is comfortable and perfect for an authentic morning of gravel.
We continue towards Sant Celoni, while we enjoy an authentic cocktail for the senses - sections that seem to be taken out of a story book - the contrast of colours in the leaves that still remain in the branches and the already fallen ones turn the path into an idyllic landscape that leave us with a very good taste in the mouth.
The pace is comfortable – it promises to be a great morning.
We are more and more comfortable and willing to reach Girona together.
We have arrived at the refreshment that was in Sant Celoni. We sign and we replenish our energy, on the terrace of the bar there are a lot of cyclists taking things with calm, enjoying a good snack - we eat some fruit and nuts, drink a coffee and go on.
We find more people and some even join our group.
And so, we continue to enjoy the landscape and the environment. Again, we see another river - this time the views are of the Mogent River and after the Tordera River, and so on from river to river and all, with a great atmosphere.
Finally, we arrive in Girona - there in the upper part, was the goal. So, we had to put everything in and there we went. We went down to a street that led to some stairs and we had to carry the bike on our shoulders and climb "on foot" and laughing for mistaking the road in the final part.
The organisers were waiting for us with a final meal.
While we were eating, we watched the rest of the participants get excited and telling the adventures of the day.
Every day I am more in love with everything that surrounds this modality of the two wheels, from which every day I learn something new, it gives me so much joy.
If you haven't tried a gravel bike yet, what are you waiting for?
