Enjoy cycling in all its forms at the Sea Otter Europe cycling festival

From September 23 to 25, Girona and the Costa Brava host the 6th edition of the Sea Otter Europe festival, the great cycling event in southern Europe. It is the meeting point for fans, athletes, the cycling industry, exhibitors... who have found in this privileged location the ideal space to connect market developments and trends in the cycling sector with world-class competitions, and also with tests. for the most amateur cyclists.

In short, a weekend that breathes cycling, with more than 300 exhibitors, thousands of visitors and 15 sporting events for all audiences, even for the little ones with the celebration of the Super Cup Youth. Given the magnitude of the event, there are many Grans Hotels de Catalunya establishments that will allow you to experience it up close and intensely, such as the Torremirona Relais Hotel Golf & Spa in Navata.

Continental Ciclobrava

The Continental Ciclobrava is one of the most special events of the cycling festival, which brings together nearly 3,000 cyclists from all over the world, lovers of the road. It is the cycling tour par excellence in the Girona district, which offers three distances (70, 100 and 140 kilometers) so that everyone can find the formula that best suits their state of fitness. All the circuits travel along secondary roads around Girona, Las Gavarres and up to the Costa Brava, along roads that are not very crowded and where you can often see professional teams carrying out their routine training sessions.

Departing and arriving in Girona, the Hotel Carlemany is ideal for a themed stay, as it is a Bike Friendly establishment and they will offer all the facilities and specific services to those who even want to sleep with your bike.

The ascent of the mountain dels Àngels, prior to arriving in Girona, is the last challenge faced by the Ciclobrava participants, who always highlight the beauty of very well selected routes and that allow them to enjoy their favorite sport in good company. .

The quiet and familiar Hotel Alga in Calella de Palafrugell is an excellent idea to stay these days and participate in the Ciclobrava (September 25).

The passage of the race along the Costa Brava also makes the Hotel Sant Roc in Calella a good accommodation to consider for a weekend of pure cycling, and take advantage of the impressive views of the coves and its direct access to the sea.

Canyon E-Bike Experience

Another very popular test, and with increasing demand due to the growing popularity of electric bikes, is the Canyon E-Bike Experience (September 25). It is a fun 37-kilometer circuit along trails in the Gironès and Vall del Llémena, with the main objective of enjoying the bike and the sensations that this segment of electric cycling transmits to the athlete. In this case, consider the Hotel Pensinsular de Girona for an unforgettable stay in a setting of comfort and cycling. And if you are more into urban cycling, the same hotel will accompany you to one of this year's novelties of the festival, the urban outing Canyon Urban Ride Girona, with a route that runs through the center of the city.

And for lovers of trails and mountain biking, your event is the Scott Marathon BTT by Continental (September 24), one of the most recognized events in our territory, and a reference in medium-distance events. The beauty of this race is the unique combination of the best cyclists on the international scene with amateurs in good condition, who do not hesitate to join the best and enjoy a morning of pure Mountain Bike riding along the best trails in the area. And once the challenge is over, there is nothing better than a day of rest in Pals, at the Hotel Costa Golf & Beach Resort, at the foot of the Platja Gran de Pals and with a spectacular area of private gardens and swimming pool.

Gravel

And what do you think of Gravel? It is this very fashionable type of cycling, which rides on mixed terrain of compacted dirt and asphalt, and which has aroused so much love among two-wheel fans. In Sea Otter Europe there are two proposals of this modality, the Orbea Girona Gravel Ride (September 25), with 70 kilometers of pure gravel fun along Gavarres forest tracks, and the super demanding Canyon Pirinexus Challenge (September 24). This is a major challenge only within the reach of the most prepared, since it is 340 kilometers that cover the entire Girona district, to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees and even with an incursion into French territory. A true legend for gravel fans, who leave Girona at dawn, where they must have arrived before sunset. The test passes through Alt Empordà, where in Cantallops you have the charm and rest of the Hotel Can Xiquet to stay during the weekend and enjoy a wide range of active tourism proposals once you have gotten off the bike.

At Sea Otter Europe, those most nostalgic for the popular MTB modality can participate in the MTB Classic (September 24), to remember the golden age of mountain bikes. It's about recovering your bikes from the 80s or 90s, and also the clothing from that era, and participating in this fun meeting of classics, a tribute to the most splendid era of mountain biking. For a great weekend, stay in Llafranc at the Hotel Terramar, and take advantage of the opportunity you have in Girona and the Costa Brava to be part of this legend that continues to grow with each new edition of Sea Otter Europe.

Cycling week cap

You see, you have a first-class cycling weekend ahead of you that you cannot miss, enjoying the best company doing the sport you like, and savoring the excellence of accommodation that will offer you everything you need to You only have to worry about pedaling, competing, enjoying and being happy on a bicycle.

Fotos: Anna Olea, Francesc Lladó, Billy Fotògrafo