Great video. We just returned from a stay in that area and other areas of Spain A few comments and observations based on that. Cars - While the Spanish drivers are generally very good when dealing with cyclists, there are exceptions so as others said, be careful, especially in the city. There also can be lots of French tourists in the Girona/Costa Brava areas during the school breaks and I had a couple close calls with them. Mallorca is also bad because so many of the drivers are rubber-necking tourists, not locals Trains - in theory, bikes can only travel on the fast trains if they are in quite small bags. We had to use regional trains because we had loaded touring bikes. There are no designated bike areas, like on the French trains, and there is no limit on how many tickets are sold so you may be standing holding your bike for your journey. Also, I'm not sure if there are any regional trains to Girona on Sundays - I couldn't find one but that may be because the local and regional train websites are terrible and the apps are non-existent. In contrast, the French ones are fantastic. Planes - flying from Vancouver, Lufthansa allows you to take your bike as your checked bag if you only have carry on bags. The checked bag fee was $75 Cdn each way. Air Canada, Westjet and Air Transat (and many American airlines) have relatively low bike fees but suck. KLM/AF's bike fees are high. Spanish/English - I was really surprised how much English was spoken by people working in the supermarkets in Girona. You expect the bike stores to speak English but often I would speak in (poor) Spanish and clerks would respond kindly in decent English Prices - if you are preparing your own food and drink, Spain is really cheap compared to Canada and the US Stay - I now find Booking.com much better than AirBnb for quality and quantity of listings and prices. Plus you can see the exact location before you book and you get the name of the property and/or listing agency so you can look online to see if it is cheaper to book directly. We got a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment in the old town in October for a very reasonable price. Apologies for the long comment but thought it might be helpful to others

Water is Spain is like 20c/liter at the food store, otherwise they like to charge tourists for it As a Canadian retired, i have been living in Spain for 15 yrs now, so biking is very important form me and the best. I would add another positive point about cycling in Spain compared to North America: you can ride 100km without stopping for a red light. The roundabout are so great and respected by car drivers which is so amazing. Few weeks ago, my ride of 160km, i slowed down once at the intersection, no red lights and no stop signs. You should also know that Spain has the highest number of bar/resto/coffee places per habitant in Europe and coffee/beer and wine are way cheaper than Italy and France. Another advice for cyclists is to start your ride early like 7:30-8am, so your ride could end by 2pm, time for lunch and rest with the beer/wine.

I just returned from a magical week in Girona and basically experienced everything that you mention in this video. Paying for water was the only downside, but it was a small price to pay when you consider the incredible cycling there. Great video guys!

Here's a tip if you come with car. You can easily park in Pavelló de Fontajau, Konig La Font, and Ocine Theaters, there's a lot of parking and it's so close to the old town. Girona is a Catalan speaking city, so if you wanna integrate, just learn some words in Catalan, such as bon dia (goor morning), si us plau (please), gràcies (thank you), adéu (good bye)... I love this kind of video and I like how you love my cycling city. You're all benvinguts (welcome).

I'm going to Girona for the first time next week and cannot wait to hit up these roads and stunning scenery! Great video 👌👌👌

Love it! Definitely on my list of places to ride looks epic 💪

Great video, helpful info! Good vibes

Looking forward to my long weekend in Girona, thanks for the great tips guys

Thanks dudes! Useful 🙌

This is so informative. This is definitely way more realistic and practical review on a cycling location for sure. This will help me plan all of my headaches in advanced haha. Riding around cars in the US is a nightmare I hate it

Thanks, super Information !

Thanks for the very informative video. I was just there on a family trip over New Year’s, partly to scout it out for a potential bike trip. It looks fantastic and I’m planning a trip this spring. I wondered if you thought it was easy to meet fellow cyclists of similar abilities.

Thanks guys some great tips

Great info! I’m gonna save this video for reference…. 😎🍻

What a stunning location! Would love to make it there one day! Literally a buttload of the biking channels I follow are either out of, or spent time there!

Fantastic advice 👍 I've just found your channel - new subscriber here 🙂

Charles and Tristan make a great team. So what's going on? You guys deserve more subscribers. I'm trying to do my part by watching the videos twice. 😉

This is super helpful thanks! Does anywhere do organised rides do you know?

I spent 2 weeks there this past June. I didn't ever get charged for TAP water, you have to ask for it specifically. Maybe you guys were eating at the high brow type places. LOL. I tried to meet some of the local riders that are on Zwift and FB before I came, many of the well known are pretty aloof and weren't as helpful as I would have been if someone contact me coming to my city. I found the best method is to meet at the stone bridge (Pont de Pedra) as its a gathering place for many rides and you can just ask to join. Get a local to take you around as many of the best roads are the back roads that don't always show up on a large scale map, also don't worry about being lost you can always find your way back. I agree about the drivers! They are world class friendly, but please don't abuse their friendliness!!!!!! My biggest challenge was often finding a public water spigot: Churches and playgrounds/parks often were great places.....I would drink what was left in my bottles, then drink one bottle and fill 2 up and head out, worked out great. Girona is a great place to ride with friends; I've gone to other places in Europe to bag some of the famous climbs only to find myself riding alone for most of the time. Its "lumpy" terrain so you will get some elevation without much effort.

Lived in Spain off and on - asking for water from the tap: agau del grifo. Literally, water from the tap. Works. Also, surprised that since you don't speak much spanish you didn't get a good phrase book for both day to day stuff and especially, food. There are small pocket size guides to food in Spain which help a lot. Looks like a great trip I hope to make next spring! Hope you made it to the Cinema Museum - really neat small museum on the history of film.

Such an awesome video! As a Girona citizen I agree on everything that you said 👌🏽. Great piece of advice and suberp colour grading!

Awesome information. I lived in Girona in 2010. I was not back into cycling then. But it is an amazing place. And am planning to go back next year to do some serious cycling in the area.

I watched your video while on the trainer. I’m booking my trip

I have a few just been in Girona 5 weeks..... 1. Starting a route can be a mess - the roads can be super complex and roads / paths literally on top of each other 2. TAKE TIME TO ACCLIMATISE! The amount of accidents and little things you won't be used to....cycling on the other side of the road, stingers or fault plastic speed bumps (caused me a day 1 crash), turns that turn tighter and tighter, Surfaces can be glass which is super smooth but very little traction.....please be careful until used to it 3. Weather can quickly change as I found out at the top of Rocacorba....started raining and had a freezing wet decent or rim brakes non the less! 4. City centre traffic and roads can be super dangerous....stop at all the signs and double check everything....once out the city its fine but don't take Spanish roundabouts lane discipline for granted! 5. Connect up with Eat sleep cycle, Veldrom, Service course for advise...group rides etc 6. Don't underestimate food and drink as in this video you could be out there hours with zero places to stock up Cheers!

Great video! Have wondered about Girona. Oh yeah, in some Asian countries they charge you for water too. Don't expect napkins either! I have found that only in North America is water free.

Great video. Can’t wait to get to Girona. Will you be riding to Andora as well or is that too far ? Thanks for putting those out.

Great video! What are your 3 favorite rides around Girona? I'll be there on my own for 3 days of bucket list cycling before my family arrives. Is Rocacorba worth it? Els Angels looks amazing. Costa Brava is a must. What do you think?? Also is solo cycling safe there?

Salut Charles! I’m going to Girona in late February / early March and this video was helpful. May I ask when was this filmed? And maybe if you can speak of what to bring in terms of clothing. Not to sure if I should bring a winter jacket or just warmers and wind brake gilet or jacket. Any tips you have are valuable! Cheers!

Very good video, thanks for sharing. Girona is one of my bucket list places to visit and ride my bike. Question… what would be a good ballpark budget for a 2 week trip to Girona? I live in Dallas Tx, so the airplane ticket would vary, but it would be nice to know an estimated cost of the trip to Girona for 2 weeks. Thanks much in advance!

I would love to see a video about how to pack your bike for a plane flight. Do you pack at home/hotel? I‘ve heard about some bike packing companys directly at the airport and they can pack your bike for some charge.

Ça donne envie d’y aller!

Just FYI if you use the 'fast' train. You cannot take a complete bike on it. Thus you have to take your bike in a box still.. sucky if you already assembled it, OR take the wheels off and 'claim' its a sort of folding bike.

Trek travel offers gravel ride vacations in Girona.

How is the weather in January? I am ok with cold, just wondering about what the rain is like. Thanks for putting this video together. Super helpful!

Yeah for car drivers, you should still be more cautious in your commentary Charles, as there's always the one driver making it look bad for the rest of them who are supernice, they've been a number of severe accidents in and around Girona the past few years. Fairly recently Alina, whom you've met, came very close to losing her dear friend (and Ireland national champ) Imogen Cotter to a van driver who attempted an overtake where he should never have. So please guys, if you go to Girona for cycling and although most drivers will be the nicest, stay alert and careful, do not play it too cocky with overconfidence taking wider lines, stay safe.

How much did it cost to bring the bikes on the plane? And would you recommend your airline? I am planning a similar trip. Thanks in advance

I would love to take a cyçling trip. I need to get my fitness up so I can ride 100 miles a day

great video. is it a good spot for a solo trip?

What time of year is best to visit Girona?

Great video. A question, is it affordable if one wants to spend most of the winter there(ie Nov to March)?

Happy that you felt safe on the roads. Ask lmogen Cotter what she thinks.

hi Charles. we are on our way there on April 17. my question is, aside from covid vaxed anything else you need before arriving there? im from Toronto. thanks in advance.

Hi thanks, I'm planning on coming. can I ask about cycling on the main roads? I would like to go from Girona centre to Banyoles and Rocacorba (surprise surprise). it seems difficult to avoid the dual carriageways. Is this a problem or you just ride in the margin? best wishes, James.

Girona versus Mallorca? Have you been to both and what's your pick?

How come I can't Chromecast your videos to my TV?

No! It's illegal in Spain for restaurants or cafes not to provide tap water when requested. The law states that bars and restaurants must provide free tap water, a measure that has been brought in with the hope of reducing plastic consumption by cutting down on the sale of single use containers of bottled water.

Which group ride did you join? Heading there in July :)

Any routes you strongly recommend?

I've been to Spain many times and i've always been told the tap water in spain isn't drinkable - that's why they don't serve it to you

3euro for bottle of water is very common across europe, I once got served with dish soap water when I asked for tap water in Amsterdam! Watch out!

Why not fly into Barcelona Girona Airport? It's so close! Ryan Air fly there from the UK 👍

Bro I'm so happy for you! Girona is amazing, all catalunya is amazing for cyclist XD

3€ for a glas/bottle of water is cheap already here in Europe :)

🎶M-m-m-m-m-my Girona 🎶

Great Video. What time of the year were you there?

Hey guys, bring me una chiquita bonita para me. See you on Villeneuve track. Open this coming Saturday.

Bicycling Channel doesn't list "riding your bike" as an option for getting to Girona. Interesting...

6:15 I am sure Imogen Cotter will disagree

Don't hesitate to ask us your questions in the comments! 😎

best way to get to girona - by bike

What did we miss? Happy to help y'all!!!

In France a whole bunch of us walked into a restaurant and filled up our water bottles in the bathroom and walked out and the guy was going to call the police if we didn't give him money.

You don't need to speak spanish in Girona, just catalan, the local language

The tap water is not dinking water in Spain. They buy bottle of water for themselves.

Don’t drink tapwater in Spain !!

Welcome to Catalunya guys! Try to speak Catalan!

poor Girona seems to be overrun with cycling youtubers recently...

L'eau va devenir gratuite, application d'une loi européenne.

PERDONA it is not an Spanish word, is a Catalan word (just to clarify, do not want to sound cocky), It means sorry. It is normally used to ask politely someone for his/her attention

Catalan … not Spanish

It seems like every youtube cyclist is in girona

Okay, so let me get this straight because I cannot believe what I am seeing. In this video you complain about and/or advise having to pay for water in Girona restaurants, mentioning that to avoid paying for water while dining out you would slide into the restroom to fill up your cycling bidon with water... Okay, that is your prerogative. BUT... then you sign up for the EF coaching camp paying EUR 9,500 for five days of training camp, seven days in total if you count arrival and departure day!!! What am I missing here? You are complaining about paying for water at the occasional dinner out, but, you are more than happy and willing to shell out EUR 9,500 for a few days of training camp...?? Maybe a reality check is in order? Heads off to you to be able to afford this steep price tag for a relatively ho-hum-hah training camp, in a place, like Girona, where it is more than easy to arrange a "training camp" on your own, if that is what you want. But whatever... with the money you spend on training camps I can see that you can not afford to pay for water... #sarcasm

Aaaargh Charles!!! They speak Catalan...not Spanish! Way to piss of a Catalan! First tip is to learn a few Catalan phrases. A little goes a long way to be respectful!

Hi, going to Girona on Wednesday for a week. Who did you say you should follow on Instagram? Was it ELena?

Just came back from Girona. Amazing city! 🫠

super helpful. thanks soooo much. you guys are great.