In this month of February Or, if the snow is (once again) slow to arrive, there's nothing better than thinking about your next summer trip. It's also a chance to reminisce about last year's adventures.

In short, the perfect time to take the time to write a few lines about the trip organized last spring with a Deluxe team. After Tuscany in 2021, heading to Girona, gravel country for a new trip of a few days with panniers and bike.

You don't change a winning team, except for adding Kilian Bron to make him look a little more like a complete idiot on the bike... We also decided to extend the fun with 4 full stages. A trick on my part, thinking they wouldn't last quite as long... I took the opportunity to do the same with the stages, betting they'd pace themselves a bit more, utopian (obviously)!

At the beginning of May 2022, we gathered the dream team, and we were already lucky to arrive in Girona between Antonin's truck fleeing on the highway, Emilien almost losing his bike not attached to the bike rack and Martin's call lasting 1 hour at a rest area (clearly it wasn't to write his latest advertising speech, it would have lasted less time).

Day 1

Girona - Prats de Mollo
135 km - 2300 m elevation gain

Not an easy start, and as I feared, it's better to have Kilian in a photo than to eat... So it begins with a broken seatpost clamp and a (very) hearty breakfast for an early start around 10 am... Knowing what awaits us, we can't afford to dawdle. The advantage around Girona is that the gravel roads are beautiful and smooth, so we cover the first few kilometers without too much trouble.

The first 50 kilometers go well, and then, like with any gravel road, at some point you lose control (I plead guilty). We hit a steep climb, with clay and plenty of foliage, just to break the rhythm. A nice little isolated mission in the woods that lasts almost 20km. We reach the road again, practically for the first time since the start, as we're already approaching 80km. Time's ticking, it's time to find something to eat, and after almost 90km we finally stop around 4pm for a celebratory meal: Kebab!

I know it's stupid to eat that, but at this time of day in a small town in the Catalan mountains, there's not much available...

We hit the road again and decided to climb the Coll d'Ares to the French border by road, rather than following the gravel route. Seeing the last kilometer from the road, it was a wise decision, especially since it was almost 7 pm. Although the climb was relatively easy, it was tough, mainly due to digesting our last meal, and I found myself with my companion Antonin, forming the Gruppetto!

All that's left is to go down to Prats de Mollo, we keep part of the gravel descent then finish by road. Just when we think we've arrived, the gîte is a little further on; one last climb awaits us to reach it.Thankfully, a good meal awaits us upon arrival, what a relief!

Surprised by the hospitality, we find ourselves watching Kilian's videos on TV to explain the phenomenon to our hosts for the day, a good beer in hand, a first day that lives up to expectations!

Day 2

Prats de Mollo - El Port de Selva
120 km - 2200 m elevation gain

Another great step on paper! We're in the middle of the mountains in France, and at night we sleep by the sea in Spain. So, in principle, the overall profile is downhill. However, it won't all be downhill!

The advantage is that we're right in the heart of the most interesting part; we quickly find ourselves on a beautiful, somewhat secluded forest track, which is exactly what you're looking for on a gravel ride. The first 20 kilometers are uphill, allowing us to reach the highest point of the day at 1200m. Then we begin our descent to Céret, which leads to a good sprint for the sign (I can't remember who won because it wasn't me...). Céret brings back memories for the Catalan in the group, who insists we try the local specialty (let's be honest, it wasn't exactly a revelation...).

A short ride before reaching the foot of the Col du Perthus (French-Spanish border) on my gravel bike! A beautiful climb, a bit tough, in full sun and at the wrong time of day, but definitely gravel and wild! Quite a change from the atmosphere of Perthus, which, like the most glamorous towns, didn't exactly hold my attention! But it did lead to a good meal (unlike the previous day) before setting off again!

After less than 2km, Martin (him again) got a flat tire. Either the tubeless tire wasn't enough, or the only inner tube didn't have a long enough valve on the carbon rims... Great. Actually, it gave me a little extra time to digest it, which wasn't so bad. We set off again and quickly reached another beautiful gravel section of about twenty kilometers, really pleasant, with the sea coming into view in the background. A short break in Espolla, before splitting into two groups: the strong riders and the group from the day before, to meet up again in Llanca by the sea. Anto and I took the fastest route; you have to admit that sometimes it's good to get back on tarmac, and my demanding route probably tired me out more than it tired them out... A kind of logic, after all!

Once in Llança, we only have about ten kilometers left to reach our destination, by the sea and with the sunset, a superb atmosphere to end this beautiful day!

Happy to arrive, once again enjoying the comfort of a hot shower and finding a nice little restaurant by the sea during this time More than calm, simple pleasure!

Day 3

Port de la Selva - Palamos
124 km - 1700 m elevation gain

Based on another good idea from the eldest member of the group, we We decided to leave early, at 7:30 am, to have breakfast in Cadaqués. After all, the village there is really nice and it's only 18 km away, so we should be there in an hour... supposed to be!

And yes, 1km of gravel = 4km of road! Every trip brings back a little reminder of this saying. So we arrived in Cadaqués at 9:30 am, after 2 hours of gravel riding on an empty stomach. But we were blown away by the scenery.

The start from Port de la Selva is steep but we very quickly join the gravel path which will take us to the entrance of Cadaques in a wild and really beautiful natural park.A small puncture in the meantime (Emilien's turn) and a nice climb with the bike on our backs, we can see the toasted bread, no need to motivate the guys!

But then when we set off again, it's 10:45 am and we've covered 18km out of 124, yet another one A long day ahead. But what a day! After the beautiful gravel section this morning, right outside Cadaqués we find ourselves on a lovely gravel road that stretches for about fifteen kilometers, offering an absolutely stunning view of the sea and the coves below. Isolated once again, the road winds its way along, the tracks are wide and fairly smooth – pure gravel riding pleasure!

Just before reaching the coast and the paved road, there's a small detour at the tip of the peninsula that looks pretty good on paper (except that not everyone has Kilian Bronn's technical skill...). It's still nice though, and makes for some great photos!

Having arrived in Roses, a third of the way through the route, it's already 1 p.m. So yes, we've done 70% of the day's elevation gain, but when you set off at 7:30 in the morning, you know you'll need a headlamp!

So, after a lunch break, we set off again, and with the timing a bit worrying for everyone, we rode fast, covering 40km in 1 hour 30 minutes to reach L'Escala! The afternoon snack break dragged on, and we devoured everything: ice cream, waffles, crepes... But it was mainly an opportunity for a real discussion about the rest of the route. It was almost 4:30 pm, we'd covered 78km, but there were still 45km to go, including a gravel section with a nice little climb that some of us would have preferred to avoid! In the end, we gave these champions a bit of a nudge and decided to stick to the original route (forcing our hand a bit at the intersection where the road cut across). The track was nice, the climb not too bad, and it added another 9km of wild gravel to the mix. Just under 35km to go, a beautiful straight and flat gravel section along a canal allowed us to cover 6km in under 10 minutes. Wheel to wheel, race pace (290w average), the section was devoured quickly with Emilien leading the way! Efficient ("average," he'd say, his second favorite phrase after "any duds here?")

The end wasn't too difficult, alternating between road and a pretty nice gravel section in the forest; the day was well worth the effort! We finally arrived at 6:45 pm, everyone was quite tired, but it had been a beautiful day and the accommodation (part castle, part dungeon) was a hit with everyone!

Pizza delivery, debriefing of this beautiful and long day, and tomorrow is (unfortunately) already the last day!

Day 4

Palamos - Girona
115 km - 1600 m elevation gain

In practical terms, Girona is only about forty kilometers from Palamos as the crow flies! But the The most beautiful route is rarely the shortest. We start by following the coast, with a few gravel sections, then stay on the Costa Brava to enjoy this very pleasant area, known to many cyclists!

About thirty kilometers later, it's time to head inland. I rediscover a mountain pass I descended a few years ago during my first trip to Girona. This region is pretty amazing for cycling; the gravel paths are fantastic, but the roads are also really enjoyable—and it's easy to see why. Professional cyclists come here to live in exile!

It's time for a Lunch break, more or less on time for the first time. It has to be said that when the proportion of driving is greater, the timing is easier to control and the kilometers pass more quickly.

We find ourselves on a new section of gravel, magnificent indeed. The closer we get to Girona, the more enjoyable the paths become. Wide and smooth, they wind their way through the landscape, making for a truly pleasant ride – "American gravel," as some would say. Gravel riding is always a bit of a discovery, and while adventure is part of the charm, it's still pretty cool to appreciate the route you've spent hours creating!

The only problem with the last day is that it smells like the stable! So everyone's a bit eager to get back, and the closer we get, the faster it goes. The second problem is that we're not all at the same skill level, so sometimes you're the nail and sometimes you're the hammer, but with these machines you're a bit more the nail than the hammer :)

Almost 21 km/h on average for the 4th day, on a gravel bike and with panniers, that gives you an idea! Still, it was a pleasure to share this new trip, and I also felt satisfied that the route was 95% accurate!

Glad to arrive and share new moments off the bike, to remember all the good times of the trip and also enjoy quiet moments and conversation.

4 intense days, 500km covered, with panniers!

When do we leave again?