For the second year running the Cycling Activity Group are heading to Girona in Spain for their Spring overseas tour. 

Girona in is a highly popular training ground for many pro road riders. This tour will provide a glimpse of their unique and enviable lifestyle. It will also offer an opportunity to enjoy some delicious cuisine and get a feel for the region's culture and traditions, another reason why professional athletes choose Girona!

Girona is in the northeast of Spain, 30 miles from the French border and close to the Mediterranean. The historic old town with its medieval buildings, cobbled streets, bars, and restaurants make it a perfect base for cycling holidays. The Plaça de la Independència is one of the best known and most frequented places in Girona. Its stunning architecture captivates inhabitants and visitors.

Many pro cyclists live in Girona and train in the beautiful countryside outside the city. In 1997 professional cyclists such as Lance Armstrong came to live in the city. In more recent times Dan Martin and  David Millar have made Girona their home. Many retired pros have opened bike shops, cafes, restaurants, and travel agencies. This has helped attract over 25,500 cyclists to Girona each year.

Eat Sleep Cycle

Out travel partners in Girona are East Sleep Cycle:

'At Eat Sleep Cycle we’re building a community of cyclists who love to ride new roads, summit iconic climbs & the simple pleasures of riding a bike.

Our cycling tours are completely unique. When you book with us expect small groups and an exceptional support team. Stay in the best hotels a region has to offer and be safe in the knowledge that we’ve scheduled your ride for the time of year offering the best weather & quietest roads.

Our base in Girona gives us unique access to our favourite European cycling destinations and we’re always on the road finding the next hidden gem, the next undiscovered col or epic gravel road. We love to cycle, whether an epic ride into the mountains, or a leisurely spin to the best coffee shop around.'

The average daytime temperature in May is 17 degrees centigrade with highs of 23 and an average of 7 hours of sunshine. Rainy days are rare but it’s wise to pack a lightweight waterproof top.

Royal Automobile Club guidelines prevent activity groups booking member’s flights for overseas trips. We recommend flying to Barcelona airport to connect with the 90-minute transfer to Girona. Various airlines fly from London Gatwick to Barcelona including British Airways, EasyJet and Vueling. 

The recommended flights for this trip with EasyJet are:

London Gatwick to Barcelona

Flight number EJU8569 

Thu 2nd May  - Departure 09:10  Arrival 12:15 

Barcelona to London Gatwick

Flight number EZY8574

Tue 7th May - Departure 15:20  Arrival 16:50

Transfers to and from Barcelona and Girona are included in the price for travelers using these flights. 

Please book your flights as soon as possible to obtain the lowest prices. 

East Sleep Cycle  will help us plan our trip and provide guides and a support vehicle to ensure we all get back safely. Written instructions, maps and GPS for the routes can be provided, each with a foreword from some of the Pro’s who regularly ride these routes giving some insight into to why they love them so much.

All rides have been created with help from pro cyclists who live in Girona so you never know who you will bump into out on the road. See below for a sample itinerary. The final itinerary may vary depending on local conditions and rider abilities.

In Girona you will stay at the four star AC Hotel Palau de Bellavista by Marriott, a short walk from the old town close to the elegant shops, bars and restaurants and with easy access to the stunning cycling in the surrounding countryside. The hotel has secure bike storage and a swimming pool.

Room options are Single or Double Occupancy. 

Our partners, Eat Sleep Cycle, specialise in renting top quality bikes. The Chair and Vice Chair of the cycling activity group have both rented bikes in Girona and highly recommend this option over transporting your own bike. You can see full specifications on their website:

https://www.eatsleepcycle.com/girona-bike-hire/

To reserve a bike please email: 

tours@eatsleepcycle.com

Please quote RAC Girona 2019 Tour in the subject the subject line and include your height and your preferred bike option. Do NOT use the online booking option on the Eat Sleep Cycle website. 

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Pump

Helmet

2 water bottles

Repair kit

Bike fit

If you prefer to bring your own bike, most airlines will carry them for around £80 return. You will need to pack it in special bag or box.

Flights must be booked direct with the airline and their terms and conditions will apply.

Managing a trip of this nature requires time and expertise beyond the means of the members of the committee. This trip is made possible by using WeTravel to manage bookings. A 1% processing fee and a card fee of up to 3.5% is included in the price of the trip to cover the cost of this service. 

A deposit of 30% of the cost of the tour will be due at the time of booking with the balance payable in two installments at the end of December and the end of February.

Payments for all in country elements of the trip will be collected through this website by WeTravel and passed to Eat Sleep Cycle Girona who will be responsible for holding the payments. All in country elements of the tour will be paid for by Eat Sleep Cycle and subject to their Terms & Conditions.

A minimum of ten people are required for this trip to run, If that number is not secured your deposit will be refunded in full. 

The Royal Automobile Club and the Cycling Committee are not acting as agents for Eat Sleep Cycle Girona or the airlines and accept no liability for the performance of  either organisation.

The Royal Automobile Club and the Cycling Committee try to make it's events as safe as is reasonably practicable both financially and physically.  However, cycling cannot be risk free and is inherently dangerous.  We are not a professional concern, just amateurs inviting other club members and friends to join us for an overseas tour.  Every rider must be responsible for their own safety and judge whether they and their equipment are fit to take part.

The Club and Committee can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property or for personal injury not arising as a result of our own act or default. Also we can take no responsibility for any financial or other loss attributable to the third party service providers.

Riders are strongly advised to check they have their own insurance cover, particularly for injury to third parties.  This can be obtained through British Cycling or you may be covered by your household insurance policy.

By joining this tour you confirm that you understand and accept the above and accept that you have a responsibility to act in a way that will minimise the likelihood of injury to yourself and others and that you and your cycle are fit for the tour.

Insurance

Members are responsible for making their own arrangements for travel insurance. Bikes hired from Eat Sleep Cycle are not insured. Members are advised to add them to their home insurance or their travel insurance policies. For insurances purposes, a value of £2,000 per bike should be used.

Cancellation 

We understand that sometimes things happen in life out of your control which means you need to cancel or change your Eat Sleep Cycle Trip.

The table below explains cancellation fees for our tours depending on the days left until departure at the time you cancel:

More Than 90 Days - All but €100 cancellation fee

61-90 Days - 75% of trip price

31-60 Days - 50% of trip price

30 Days or Less - No Refund

By joining this tour you agree to the following waiver:

 I freely acknowledge and realise the danger of participating in an Eat Sleep Cycle tour and fully assume all risk including, but not limited to, collision with pedestrian vehicles, other riders and/or other fixed moving objects of persons, the negligence of other riders and dangers arising from falls and public road or path surfaces, as well as the possibility of physical and/or mental trauma or injury.

I understand that if I leave before or after the tour starting time or travel a course different from the tour route as lead by the guide, I will not receive services as published or advertised. I further agree to pay all fees associated with my participation in all or part of the event.

I realise that Eat Sleep Cycle tours require physical exertion and I represent that I am in sound medical condition capable of participating in the bicycle ride without risk to others of myself. 

I have no physical or medical impediment that would endanger others or myself. 

I understand that the law defines a bicycle as a moving vehicle and I agree to follow all traffic laws, signs, rules and regulations.

I agree that I will at all times during my participation in an Eat Sleep Cycle tour adhere to all safety rules and regulations of Eat Sleep Cycle which includes wearing a helmet at all times whilst riding a bicycle.

As a responsible adult, I fully recongise that riding a bicycle on roads is inherently dangerous and that accidents can happen at any time and in any place during a tour ride. I am solely responsible for the manner in which I ride. 

I will NOT use my mobile phone at any point during the tour due to the disruption it may cause to my concentration and the enjoyment of other participants. 

Additionally, I understand that the use of cameras of any type is strictly limited to tour stops only. 

I hereby take action for myself, my executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors to release, indemnify and agree to hold harmless Eat Sleep Cycle, its officers, directors, representatives, employees, agents and participants of any from losses, costs, damages, claims, demands, rights and causes of action of any kind or nature including solicitor fees, and including any and all negligence claims of causes of action, which may arise and which result from illness, personal injuries, property damage, death or of any other damages or injuries, not included herein, occurring during, or as a result of, my participation in the Eat Sleep Cycle tour.

I agree that I will use good judgement, be self-reliant, and stop to request assistance if I am unsure of my ability to complete any segment of the event safely. 

In the event on any injury or accident, I agree to notify the tour leader, and consent to and permit emergency medical treatment.

I grant permission to the tour organiser to take (or cause others to take) photographs and videos of me during the tour, and to use the same for any purpose including but not limited to promoting, advertising and marketing. 

I acknowledge and agree that any such photographs and videos shall be the sole property of the organiser and its assigns. 

I understand that severe weather or other conditions out of control of the tour organisers may cause the tour to be cancelled. 

In these cases, I understand that all costs I have incurred to attend the tour are not refundable. 

I have read and understood the above information, all Eat Sleep Cycle policies, and I certify my compliance by submitting this online form in lieu of my signature. 

I have submitted this form freely and voluntarily without any inducement, assurance or guarantee being made to me and I intend this submission to be a complete and unconditional release of released parties to the greatest extent allowed by law.

I agree that this complete waiver, release and consent is binding on my heirs, proxies, representatives & ensigns. 

Minors: If you are under 18 years old this form must be submitted by your parent or guardian. "I, the parent of the above entrant, who is under the age of eighteen years, having read and understood this complete waiver, do hereby consent that the above mentioned entrant may participate in any Eat Sleep Cycle event."

Bike Rental

I hereby declare that I and everyone using the bicycle(s) I am now renting have the necessary experience to use it/them, and that I have tested and checked its/their perfect working condition.

I will notify Eat Sleep Cycle immediately of any eventual malfunctions or breakages of the bicycle(s). I declare that the bicycle(s) will not be used improperly and that I will personally redeliver it/them to Eat Sleep Cycle.

I authorise Eat Sleep Cycle to charge me for all eventual costs in case of damages to the bicycle(s) during my rental period, comprehensive of labor. In case of theft, I will be responsible for reimbursing Eat Sleep Cycle for the original purchase price of the bike, plus the cost of any accessories that were provided at the time of the bike rental.  

I agree to not hold Eat Sleep Cycle its operators, agents, servants and employees responsible for personal injuries or property damage, loss or delay, or change of itinerary incurred by any person or renter arising out of the act of negligence of any direct or supplemental carrier, or other person rendering any of these services, nor shall Eat Sleep Cycle be responsible for any injuries, death, damage, loss or delay in any means of transportation or by reasons of any event beyond the actual control of Eat Sleep Cycle, or of any agent or supplier, or due to force majeure. 

This trip is for Intermediate and Advanced riders only, it is not suitable for beginners. 

To get the most  from the tour you should be able to ride at around 14 mph over a varied terrain for 2.5 to 3 hours at a time. 

Members who have attend the monthly Roll Up Rides will be used to achieving the required speeds and endurance levels. 

In addition to the support vehicle and guide each ride will include a sweeper to ensure that all riders get safely back to base. 

You can follow this link to find information on how to train for multi day rides.