When you are looking for cycling friends in Girona, one often hears the name "The Service Course". Girona is known as a cycling mecca and there are many reasons for this, but a lot of it is to do with the geography. To the east of the city, it is flat down to the sea, 50 kilometers away. In the south there are hills up to 500 meters high and in the northwest mountains that rise over 1000 meters. All can be reached with a day trip.

It hardly ever rains and even in winter it doesn't get much colder than ten degrees. Since the sun is constantly shining, it feels much warmer. The Gironistas are also accepting of cyclists. Cyclists have the right of way when it is signposted. And indeed, on the streets, drivers keep a safe distance - there is no jostling or honking.

Many other cities in the area have the same cultural, climatic and geographical conditions - Perpignan, for example, or Terrassa. But there is another special reason why Girona has become a cycling city - former Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong discovered the city for himself. Before that he trained in Nice, but according to the legend, it was too cold for him there, so he moved his winter camp to Catalonia. He liked the food and the conditions were just as good as in southern France. He was followed by Tyler Hamilton, Floyd Landis and other cyclists. Within a year, many professionals from Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Lucca and other cycling strongholds had also moved here.

The Service Course (TSC) have a great relationship with the partner ENVE and they saw what they were doing with their Grodeo in Odgen, Utah. ENVE have their Gravel Bonanza events, so TSC added those two together.

When I arrive, it is early so it’s still dark, but there is a lot of activity in front of the TSC shop in Girona. Gravel bikers come from all directions to register for the GiRodeo. Almost everyone then allows themselves a short caffeine booster in the Oniria coffee shop before they start.

The briefing and the start then take place at Placa Santa Susanna, which is just around the corner. I decide to start right away with the first group out of town. At the head of the group, some well-known locals set the pace. Diederick Deelen, who finished fourth in the TRAKA 360 in spring and the blogger Sami Sauri ride the gravel trails at 35 km/h and this is supposed to be a social ride!

But also, some top stars of the cycling scene like Simon Gerrans, George Bennet, Sam Bewley, Esteban Chaves, Alice and Hannah Barnes, Alexey Vermeulen, Daryl Impey, Ollie Woods, Brent Bookwalter are at the start of the GiRodeo. As the route gets hillier, the early morning fog disappears and the sun shines brightly over the stunning landscape. 

On a short climb, one of my seatpost bolts breaks and my saddle suddenly falls to the ground. A nice gravel biker from France (thanks a lot Simon) picks it up and brings it to me. Nil from TSC happens to be in the next corner and helps me with the repairs. After 10 minutes, the saddle is firmly fixed on the seat post again. Group 2 is already coming around the corner and I'm hanging on behind. 

Group 2 rides at a much higher pace and I have to pedal hard to follow. A little later another challenge follows. We have to shoulder our bikes to cross over a small stream. Three small wooden pallets have to be managed on foot in order not to get wet feet. When I step on the second pallet, it suddenly tips over and I fall into the water with my bike. Some friendly gravel bikers pull me out of the cold water - today is obviously not my day. A few kilometers later there is a well in a small town where everyone gets fresh water.

Now comes the hardest part of the GiRodeo. Before that there is a small refreshment station where everyone gathers. The attack comes on the following mountain, the pace of the group is so high that many riders can no longer keep up. I also have to let go - the pace is way too high for me. 

Brutal ramps with 15% gradients alternate with short flat parts, the ascent is very un-rhythmic to ride. At 850 meters I'm finally up to the summit. A fast descent follows, initially on loose gravel with concrete serpentine-like curves. Behind Besalu with its beautiful bridge there is a large refreshment station on an old farm.

I ride the last stretch together with a group of Englishmen and Simon from France - my rescuer who found my saddle. The last and steepest ascent is on a stretch of the legendary Rocacorba Climb. After that it feels almost all downhill. Before Girona, the track leads us along small streets and trails past old farms and small villages.

After almost 130 kilometers and 2,500 meters of altitude gain, I'm back in Girona. An eventful day on the gravel bike comes to an end. As TSC so aptly said of GiRodeo: “The GiRodeo is our most ambitious special event to date, designed to showcase the very best of this magical corner of Catalonia as the curtain closes on the summer of 2022.”

Images by Timo Rokitta and The Service Course