Had a couple of days riding in Mallorca at the end of May, don't think the temperature ever got above 27C but the Sa Calobra is like a cauldron with all the bare rock and it got pretty unpleasant!
Just nervously eyeing up reports about El Infierno in Europe at the moment, and the typical summer time temps in Girona, and wondering if we've made a terrible, terrible mistake booking a week's riding there at the end of July!
I'm riding with a mate and a few older work colleagues etc. who all seem to be opposed to my plan of 5am starts, and personally I don't like riding in the evening.
Anyone ridden in that area at peak summer time? Is this a case of only mad dogs and Scottish men...
Was there July last year, rode during the day and it was hot. Was more gravel and that seemed to give us the chance to ride in more shade, a nice circular century to the coast to dip the toes and have ice cream.
Some great food there I'd go back just to eat.
And yes we were pretty much the only ones out. As the day wore on wed pass folk heading to swim spots but the mechanic at the shop rode at weird hours.
GOing to Girona next week myself. Current forecast is for 40 degrees. I've done a fair few rides in similar weather throughout Europe, its OK while chilling through the flat areas but noticable on the climbs.
I have to admit, my thoughts are that I'm going to be getting up early and then chilling by the pool from lunch time onwards. (mucho beero and house music at the pool - just to relive my youth and annoy everyone in the hotel!!)
We were there last week and there were plenty of cyclists out but several people did suggest that it was coming to the end of peak cycling season and the cyclists don’t really go over summer. We had a couple of days over 30 which were a bit on the warm side. I was ok with plenty of cold drinks, ice cream and slushies but my OH suffered a bit more. Lots of the climbs are relatively shaded compared to other places i’ve ridden (canaries etc).
Lots of people seemed to be riding in the evening - you’d get people coming back from rides at 9pm etc.
Wonderful place - I really want to go back now!
Excellent, had heard the food was good!
I'll head out with my buddies on the first day and if it's truly dreadful I'll maybe just stick to my guns and head out earlier, especially for the bigger days. 3 of them are Ironmen triathletes so hopefully not strangers to anti-social starts!
my wife is going out there on Saturday. She's not looking forward to 40 degrees!
Arròs i Peix
Dwfinite must if you like seafood. Everyone has the paella for main but it's a choose from the fish counter. I thought I was going skin me but was ridiculously reasonable.
La Simfonia for tapas (posh tapas) the pigs trotter carpaccio was great. Quite cheap. When we went back the second time apparently we'd had a short glass of wine so we were given two free glasses of red.
We went in July last year and although Mallorca was cooler than the mainland it was still 37c during the day, which was too hot for long slogs up road climbs. When we sat down to rest under a tree sweat oozed out of our shorts pads.
I've ridden in Johannesburg when it hit 32c with low humidity and that seems to be about my limit.
If it were me, I'd be heading out at sunrise and then having a big post-ride breakfast and an early siesta : )
you could do two shorter rides in a day ??
3 of them are Ironmen triathletes
They will crash on the first corner so you wont have to worry about them!
There seems to be a fierce competition between restaurants in Girona and prices are much cheaper than BCN centre. Didn't ride there last week but just ate my way through the old town. Often mentioned La Fabrica is really great cafe but certainly not only good one over there.
Yes - the food is great. Usually we struggle in Spain because my OH is veggie and ends up eating tortilla and cheese sandwiches but there was loads of choice for him.
I am a bit further south and its been quite cloudy the last few days, yes 40 degrees is on its way. It's the humidity on the coast that makes 30 feel like 40, it's much drier and so feels cooler inland and in the mountains.
Just get well hydrated before, sadly always a few incidents in summer. I once had a scare walking....so now get hydrated the night before. I use the local fonts for water, far tastier than any bottled water, and free.
Safe riding
I used to live there and cycled year round, just put some sun cream and keep hydrated.
If you can start early (7am or so) great, if not, it won't be the end of the world.
There is a lovely road between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guixols that follows the coast, you should get some sea breeze there 🙂
Also don't forget to pay a visit to Rocacorba, Els Angels, Santa Pellaia and if you can, Vallter.
Also don’t forget to pay a visit to Rocacorba, Els Angels
2nd that
We are flying to Toulouse tomorrow to ride in the Pyrenees in 38 degree heat. Last years trip slightly earlier was cold and wet so don’t know how we will cope! Hopefully higher in the mountains will be cooler but I think we will be getting some early rides in
I’m heading there with the road bikes in 2 weeks... planning on getting out early and hopefully might not be quite so fiercely hot as is predicted for this week.
Managed the etape and to get up Mt Ventoux in 30+ last year so hopefully should be ok with lots of sun block. Don’t have the altitude in Girona to cool it down though...
Can’t wait. Very much looking forward to some good food too
Mare de Déu del mont is worth a look in addition to Rocacorba etc. I tend to ride up the road, let a few psi out the 38c tyres and descend off road. We're there a lot, friends live in town, but usually at Easter as the summer is too hot for me.
Currently up the nw coast towards Asturias - as the Iberian peninsula bakes tomorrow, the forecast here is a pleasant 23° and cloudy 😊
Ha, I recognise all these route names, looking forward to all of them.
Have been reading some tips for keeping cool, including ice slushies before rides, messing about with frozen water bottles (unlikely in a hotel, will just need to buy refrigerated water on the way round) and of course keeping hydrated.
Almost dropped £25 quid on a sleeveless riding top, I guess I could use it on the turbo the rest of the year (e.g. in private, where nobody can see me wearing a sleeveless top...).
NO!! with the sleeveless riding top, come on dude?!?! I know you're going with Triathletes, but have some etiquette!
(I'm a tart, my missus bought me new Rapha lightweight bibs and lightweight jersey for Fathers day) I fly in 1 week, current forecast is 36 degrees. It will definately be pre-breakfast rides and the afternoon recovering at the pool.
I'm a lost cause W00dster, had been wearing ankle socks until recently! (you know, like the female tennis players etc etc)
True, forgot about Mare de Deu del Mont, after a day of Tramuntana the view up there is amazing.
Sant Pere de Rodes loop is also nice: Vilajuiga - Port de la Selva - Cadaques - Vilajuiga
Read some interesting tips about acclimatisation beforehand. Already doing turbo sessions sans fan which is astonishingly sweaty, and might start layering up for commutes home, saw a recommendation for 4-6 hours a week of riding in heat helping body to prepare.
Interesting theory at least!
Interesting theory at least!
Pretty well proven by various elite sports. You don't need to do too much time either, just enough to trigger the physiological adaptation. That said, pre-acclimatising for a holiday is an interesting sort of concept 🙂
44C in Girona today according to the news now. Sod that.
That said, pre-acclimatising for a holiday is an interesting sort of concept
Yeah, sounds a bit keen I know, but I want to actually enjoy it! I'll admit some treacherous thoughts creeping in along the lines of how much I might enjoy a week's cycle touring on the West Coast of Scotland instead, whilst saving a wodge of money on the hotel, but I'm only basing that on how ill-prepared I was for the heat in Mallorca (chasing a PB up the Sa Calobra was ill advised!)
44C in Girona today
El Infierno apparently, due to last a week...