With top-notch road riding, in-vogue events like The Traka and big industry gatherings like Sea Otter Europe, Girona is having its moment in the cycling spotlight. In this blog, Edward describes a 500km ride, leaving Girona to the west, before tracking North to the French Pyrenees, and finally a return via the Mediterranean coast.
Certain types of journeys stay with you, one where the landscapes change as much as you do. This spring, I set off from Girona with a simple plan: to ride over the Pyrenees, cross into Perpignan, follow the Spanish coastline, and loop back where I first began. In between? Just a bike, a route, and the new Carradice Adventure Range.
Houses on the River Onyar, Girona. Image: Edward Kingston
Day 1: From Girona to Olot via the Old Railway Line
Leaving Girona, we rolled north on one of the region’s most scenic traffic-free routes: the Via Verde (Greenway) toward Olot, an old railway line turned cycleway. It was the perfect warm-up, gentle gradients, tree cover, and wide Pyrenean views. With the Carradice Harrop front bag taking the load up front and the 10L Colorado Saddlebag at the back, the setup felt balanced and bombproof.
Traffic free bliss. Image: Edward Kingston
Day 2: Into the Mountains – Molló to Puig de la Colada Verde
The real climbing began after Molló. We pushed higher through mountain villages and forested switchbacks, eventually summiting at Puig de la Colada Verde, where the views opened up in every direction, snow still clinging to distant peaks.
Image: Edward Kingston
The descent brought us into the Cadi region, a dreamscape of quiet towns, fruit farms, and wide-open skies. Riding beside the river into Perpignan, the scent of blossom and the buzz of spring were everywhere. Long hours in the saddle, but every pedal worth it.
Image: Edward Kingston
Day 3: Coastal Cruising and the First Rain
Our “rest day” was a gentle spin through the Côte Vermeille—coastal roads winding through vineyards and cliffs. We passed through the painter’s town of Collioure, where we caught our first (and only) rain of the trip, before dropping into the sleepy port of Port-Vendres for the night. The Pennine Top Tube bag kept essentials dry and to-hand through the weather.
Image: Edward Kingston
Day 4: Forest Roads and a Dip in the Med
We turned inland again, climbing gently through shaded woodland tracks toward Roc de les Cols, a peaceful contrast to the coast. After a café stop in Cantallops, we pushed on for the final stretch to the seaside town of L’Escala, where we jumped into the sea, ate well, and watched the sky change colour.
Image: Edward Kingston
Image: Edward Kingston
Image: Edward Kingston
Day 5: Pirinexus Trail Back to Girona
The last day followed the Pirinexus cycle route, a mix of quiet lanes and gravel paths, back to Girona. Storms had passed overnight, but somehow we’d stayed one step ahead, returning mostly dry and happy.
Image: Edward Kingston
Gear Notes – Carradice Adventure Range
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Harrop Front Bag – Stable, classic, and held everything I needed at hand.
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Pennine Top Tube Bag – Secure and silent. Never moved, even off-road.
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Test 10L Colorado Saddlebag – Lightweight, rugged, and remarkably spacious and completely stable with the saddlebag rack fitting.
Route at a glance
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Start/Finish: Girona, Spain
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Distance: Approx. 500km
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Highlights: Via Verde to Olot, Puig de la Colada Verde, El Cadi, Perpignan, Collioure, Port-Vendres, Roc de les Cols, Cantallops, L’Escala, Pirinexus Trail . Strawberries at £1.50 for a punnet, great coffee and cake and completing three of the largest climbing days on a bike.
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Lowlights: Buying denture adhesive rather than toothpaste, and there is no surface to ride worse than wet, sandy forest trails!
Image: Edward Kingston
