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Eat Sleep Cycle Year in Reviews

It’s the time of year when everyone starts to reflect on the year gone by and share accounts of their ‘year in review’ well, here at Eat Sleep Cycle we are creating our ‘year in reviews‘. We pride ourselves on our near-100% five-star review record from both our cycling tours and from our Girona Hub. Here are some of our favourite reviews from 2018 and the stories behind them.

London Dynamo in Girona

In June we were privileged to host the biggest cycling club in London on their annual trip abroad. A group of 45 riders from London Dynamo came out to Girona for a week of riding culminating in the Girona Gran Fondo event. Club member Jed had this to say:

“Eat Sleep Cycle are so good at what they do… Hands-down best cycle tour operator in Europe. They handled our group of 45 with ease. Everyone including the mechanics at the hub, the guides that took us on fantastic group rides and the guys that run the show, are simply excellent. And an extra special thank you to Lee, Silvia and Brian for making our trip so memorable.”

Thanks to Jed for the glowing review and we are looking forward to hosting London Dynamo once again in 2019!

Summiting The Mighty Zoncolan in June

June also saw the first summiting of the mighty Zoncolan in Eat Sleep Cycle history. Padraic, who was on the tour had this to say:

“I completed the Trans Dolomites tour with Eat Sleep Cycle. The tour was excellent, very well organized and the team were incredibly dedicated and passionate. The routes, food, accommodation was fantastic. The routes encompassed some of the most epics climbs in Europe and scenery was breathtaking. In particular the guides were fantastic and were always there for all needs. Thank you Eat Sleep Cycle for one of the most exhilarating weeks of my life. Highly recommended!”

Thanks to Padraic for the kind words.

July Means Tour de France For Cyclists

In the cycling world July means one thing: the Tour de France! We took a group of guests to spectate the race and ride some of the Tour de France route in the Pyrenees. Dawn was one of the guests on the trip and took the time to write this fantastic, and very comprehensive review! Thank you, Dawn.

“The first time I encountered Eat Sleep Cycle it was for a week long bike hire in Girona. I was so impressed by the bike, the company, and their staff that a year later when I was looking for a bike tour around the Tour de France I immediately thought of them. First of all let me speak of the staff. The entire week long trip was excellently supported on all levels. Nothing was too much to ask and Brian, Boris, and Caitlin did it all with a cheery disposition and a smile. Not only did they do an excellent job guiding and feeding us, it felt like they were mates along for the trip too.

Each day was planned perfectly with different route options available most days for the length of ride each person wanted to do. There was a guide with each group and they would let each person ride their own pace up climbs and regroup at the top. Most often the van would be there too with food and water so we could recover after these long climbs (some climbs took over an hour and even as an experienced cyclist that van with snacks and Coke was a godsend).

After a big ride, every cyclist is looking forward to a big meal and Eat Sleep Cycle did a great job with that as well. We also had time to ourselves to go into town for extra snacks (and beer!) during down time.

Lastly, let me speak of the bike. I rented the Ridley Ultegra disc bike which was perfect for both the long climbs and descents. As a shorter rider I appreciate that they carry a large selection of small bikes (others in town do not). I emailed my fit specs to the shop and it was set up perfectly for me. Boris also did a great job of keeping the bike in tip top shape over the length of the tour.

All in all I can’t recommend Eat Sleep Cycle enough. Whether you are looking for bike hire in Girona or a European Cycling Tour, you can’t go wrong.”

The Full Monty in September!

In September we hosted the Full Monty Cycling Club all the way from Chicago. Having joined us for a Trans-Pyrenees cycle tour in 2017 the guys returned to Eat Sleep Cycle, this time in greater numbers, to tackle the Italian Dolomites and Alps, Danny from the club described his experience:

“17 friends hired ESC to organize and guide us on a cycling trip in the Dolomites. For 6 of us it was or second trip with ESC, having worked with them last year on a Trans-Pyrenees route. This was a large group, and the team at ESC did a terrific job of selecting the best routes and really surprised us with the quality of the hotels. We had terrific dinners and lots of wine and laughs. Lee and his team work really hard to make sure everyone is safe and is having a good time. If you can get them to bring along Berta-make sure to do so! She’s awesome. Guided by Lee, Amy, Christian and Johnny we had a great trip and hope to work with ESC again.”

Huge thanks to Danny for writing such kind words about the tour & the team.

Stunning Pyrenees Climbs

September also took us back to the Pyrenees, this time on a Trans Pyrenees tour – taking guests from Girona to San Sebastian via some of the most stunning roads and climbs in the Pyrenees. Guest Chris had this to say:

“When I booked my Trans Pyrenees trip with Eat Sleep Cycle, they were only a year old, and pretty slick. When I arrived in Girona they were two years old, and ten times bigger and better. I used them to arrange my pre and post trip accommodation, transfers, everything. All I did was bring my bike. Everything Brian and the team did was made to seem easy. The guides and support team are not only great at their jobs on tour and super strong riders, but also really accomplished people in other fields, making conversations so interesting. I can’t wait to get back. Thanks.”

Thanks to Chris for taking the time to write such a complimentary review!

West Cork Girls In Girona

In October we were joined in Girona by a group of women from West Cork, Ireland who came to see what the Catalan city has to offer! One of the group, Caroline wrote this:

“West Cork Girls – An Amazing Trip: 7 girls from our cycling club just completed 3 days training with ESC, what an amazing experience, the attention to detail with these guys is unbelievable, everything from airport transfers, fabulous bikes, excellent accommodation, great routes, excellent guides who know the place inside out, it really was super. Any distance or climbing we wanted to do the guides helped us out. We are looking forward to booking again as ESC really know how to get everything right.”

We are delighted that Caroline enjoyed her time in Girona and we would like to say thank you for taking the time to leave this review!

Thank You For Your Reviews!

A huge thank you to each and every person who took the time to leave us a review this year, we appreciate the time taken by all to write about your Eat Sleep Cycle experiences! If you’d like to check out more reviews you can see them here. If you’d like to find out more about one of our European cycle tours then give us a call on +34 972 649 131 or contact us online for more info!

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!

December 18, 2018
An Andalusian Cycling Tour with Eat Sleep Cycle

Last week saw our first tour of the season in Andalucia – home to the mildest ‘winter’ climate in Europe and it proved to be one of the top European winter cycling destinations to escape the winter blues.

We spoke to Eat Sleep Cycle tour leader & partner Lee who was responsible for the arduous task of making sure everyone had a good time whilst riding their bikes in the sun. He gave us his impressions of the Southern Spanish region and what the cycling is like there.

Andalucia – Cycling In the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada

My first impression of the area was that Andalucia has the most relaxed atmosphere I have ever experienced. People love being outdoors and can be found wandering around or sat in the squares enjoying the afternoon sunshine. Everybody is friendly and welcoming.

We spent 4 of the 6 nights in Orgiva in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range as part of our Andalucia Cycle Tour. A distinctive feature of this area is the white villages built into the hillside – it’s a jaw-dropping sight! While we were there we also cycled up to the highest village in mainland Spain, Trevelez, which is located at 1,400 m and is famous for it’s dry cured ham because the air is dry and sweet in the mountains. So of course we enjoyed a Jamon Serrano bocadillo on the best sun bleached balcony in town! All day we enjoyed smooth winding roads with a perfect road surface at 1,000 m elevation in the sunshine.

“We had a small friendly group of three: one Canadian gentleman, one Swiss lady and an American lady. The delivery team consisted of Lluis, who is from Granada, Spain and myself.”

2,000 m Daily Elevation

In this area there are many hillsides with unusual sloping gardens which are used to dry out and sweeten grapes for tasty raisins (which of course, we included in our ride food) and dessert wine that we enjoyed during dinner. We cycled around 100 km with 2,000 m of elevation each day which sounds like a lot, and there’s not too much flat in that particular area, but the climbs are not steep, often averaging between 3-5%

Worry Free Descents

The descents are so much fun! To be tearing down them in December without worrying about a wet corner was simply exhilarating! There is usually good visibility around the bends so it’s great for cornering practice and we did plenty of that. We were treated to a different route every day and didn’t repeat anything. We also did not need any van transfers, which is important to Eat Sleep Cycle as we much prefer that our guests spend time riding and not sat in vans.

Dry Andalusian Air and The Unforgettable Juan

In Andalucia the air is much drier than in Girona and the region also benefits from a far milder climate. My bike was as clean after a weeks riding as it was when it left Girona. Also, Andalusian people are some of the most open people in the world and accept you in right away. For example, as we reached the small village of Guájar-Faragüit, an elderly man relaxing on a chair tapped the seat next to him, I sat down and we enjoyed a brief but life changing chat and I’ll never forget Juan and the lovely village that he was born in!

Benefits of Local Cycling Guides

Our local guide Luis added so much to the tour. One particular day he took us on a personal tour to Grenada, showed us the Alhambra from all the best view points, took us to his home and we went inside a cave house. It was unbelievable.

Cycling In Andalucia – Some of the Best in Spain

I think Andalucia has some of the best cycling in Spain and is an untapped territory for most cyclists. I wouldn’t like to ride here in the summer as the temperatures would be stifling and it would be full of tourists but I definitely intend to ride here much more in the winter!

If reading about Lee’s Andalusian adventure has you dreaming of those smooth roads and sunshine then why not take a check out our cycle tour of Andalucia or some of our our other south Spain cycle tours?

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!

December 11, 2018
CHPT3, ESC & Girona

Eat Sleep Cycle partner Brian recently outlined our reasons for joining forces with CHPT3 using the fitting analogy of a bike race, but we want to delve further into the brand and why we think they’re a great fit for Eat Sleep Cycle.

There are many cycling brands out there, whether it’s clothing, components, accessories or bikes themselves the market is bursting at its fine, Italian seams. So how do you choose which ones are right? Brian summarized this nicely in his blog: “we want to work with brands who want to work with us”. – Brands who are like-minded, who share a similar vision and believe in our business.

CHPT3 – Girona Based Locals

CHPT3 is a local brand, based in Girona and although this is not a prerequisite for who we partner with, of course, working with local brands allows for greater communication and collaboration – one example of this is our upcoming CHPT3 x Eat Sleep Cycle x Rocacorba Food Truck Christmas ride. From this, came the Girona Collection which is an ode to the city.

Of this, the brand themselves say:

“CHPT3 was founded in Girona, the heartland of professional cycling. It is our home and where we’ve ridden more kilometres than anywhere else in the world, making it the perfect field for research and product development.”

CHPT3 are as passionate as us about showing the cycling community why Girona truly is the best place to ride a bike, in David Millar’s own words: “we have the same vision to help shape Girona and the Costa Brava into the world’s best cycling destination.”

The CHPT3 Concept

The CHPT3 brand embodies Girona. It’s classic, and classy, it’s quality and cool. In the brands own words:

“We founded CHPT3 to be a platform through which we and our partners can do creative, collaborative projects. Together, we seek out new technologies and new contexts in which to push ourselves to the edge of what is possible”

Take CHPT3’s collaboration with Poc to create the new Devesa Ventral SPIN helmet – a world’s best helmet in terms of safety & design given an innovative pattern inspired by Girona’s Devesa forest. What’s not to love?

The Founder of CHPT3

The brand’s founder is none other than ex-professional rider and Tour de France stage winner David Millar which, naturally, automatically brings an element of prestige to the brand. What it also brings is experience.

“David Millar, has been a chief test pilot for the cycling industry for twenty years. Working with material and equipment manufacturers to shape the cutting edge of the sport, CHPT3 is a reflection of his experience and vision, without compromise.”

David is fantastic to work with and is hands-on with his approach to the brand, something that we ourselves admire and believe in. His enthusiasm for the collaboration is testament to his passion for the brand.

The Products

The concept of ‘you get what you pay for’ is very much true when it comes to cycling kit. Some may bemoan the price of certain, high quality brands’ clothing, but when you realise the hard work; the field testing, the research, the trial and error, that goes into creating a truly great piece of kit, you realise why. Take the CHPT3 Origin 1.62 Jersey/Jacket for example: extensive research has gone into creating a jersey with “a wider temperature range than nearly any other jersey, or jacket, in the world.” As a result it can be considered both a jersey and a jacket, negating the need to fill your pockets with extra layers. It is innovative concepts such as these, coupled with a truly stylish aesthetic, that make CHPT3 so appealing as a brand.

CHPT3 Connections

CHPT3 were already working in conjunction with two other brands that we had also wanted to get on board at Eat Sleep Cycle: Factor Bikes and Brompton. The heritage of Brompton is unmistakable and the iconic commuter bikes are a great fit for getting around a city like Girona. We’ve already written on this blog about why we love Factor bikes – the masses of experience and expertise behind them result in beautiful, high-performance bikes that we can’t wait to get in to The Hub so that our customers in Girona and on tour can see the quality for themselves.

Experience Girona Cycling

Do you want to experience the city that inspired CHPT3, for yourself? Ride through the Devesa park and walk through the historic Old Town taking in the culture and scenery and of course, the amazing road cycling! We have a variety of bike tours in Girona, and CHPT3 gear available – all you have to do is choose what you want! To find out more about our tours give us a call now on +34 972 649 131 or contact us online.

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!

All photos by CHPT3.

December 4, 2018
First Gravel Ride: Ridley X-Trail

Amy Jones, long time road rider, reports on making the transition to Gravel in this account of her first ever gravel ride. Guide Ed takes her for a spin on our Ridley X-Trail rental on his favourite trails around Girona.

I’m slowing you down, joked Ed who was showing me the ropes on my gravel debut, 30 seconds later I became rather too well acquainted with the grass verge. Thankfully this didn’t set too much of a precedent for the rest of the ride and as we traversed every kind of terrain from road, to mud, to rocks and naturally, gravel I only hit the deck on one other occasion.

I had been aware of the growing trend for gravel and had thought how fun it looks for a while now, however I hadn’t got around to trying it out myself. Of course, the main barrier to trying out any new kind of cycling is acquiring the appropriate bike, but when you work somewhere that hires them out that’s hardly an excuse. So, with some (very little) encouragement, I took out a Ridley X-Trail from Eat Sleep Cycle and was all set for my first ever gravel ride.

We could have headed to the via verde for my first gravel experience, indeed, that would have been the logical move. However, not one to shy away from a challenge I decided I’d ride some of the long route of the gravel edition of the Rocacorba Gran Fondo. Things started off pretty mildly as we went around Banyoles lake until we headed onto a grassy path that was only wide enough to go single file and I got a taster of what was to come – adrenaline-filled sketchy moments that were simultaneously great fun.

Accustomed to harder, skinnier tyres it took a while for my brain to adjust to the fact that I could take that gravel-scattered corner faster, or bunny hop without the discomfort of coming clattering to the ground on 90psi. Once I had processed this, and put my trust in the bike I started to test the limits, and I loved it. There is so much amazing road riding around Girona but being able to take things both on and off-road adds a whole new level of fun and exploration.

I was surprised to find that I was at my most comfortable descending, rather than climbing – a dynamic that is the reverse for me on the road. For my first real off-road experience the Ridley quite literally guided me through the mud and over the rocks, transcending my actual ability. With all my green-ness in the gravel world I don’t exactly have the expertise or experience to give an extensive review of a gravel bike, but can definitely say that the Ridley was a great companion.

Mostly, I learned that when things feel wobbly just keep going, and if that isn’t a metaphor for life I don’t know what is.

Inspired by this ride? Rent your own gravel bike for your next cycling holiday to Girona, or bag yourself a bargain and buy yourself a sweet ride in our ex-rental bike sale.

December 2, 2018
Christmas Gifts for the Cyclist in Your Life – Over 20 Gift Ideas!

December is nearly here, and amongst the cries of ‘where has this year gone?!’ you may be able to make out the faint sound of jingle bells hailing the impending festive period and with it the yearly scramble to buy gifts.

Perhaps you are super organised and have already done your Christmas shopping, I salute you. But if you operate on a slightly more human level of organisation you’re probably starting to think about what to buy your friends and loved ones, for those who leave their present buying until the eleventh hour, the humble gift card will have to suffice.

Gifts for Cyclists

Cyclists can be baffling, lycra-clad creatures to the uninitiated, even for those in the know they may seem to have every piece of tech or kit on the market, as such buying gifts for them can prove a challenge. But with the help of our guide to Christmas gifts for Cyclists you’ll be able to find something for every type of cyclist, whether they’ve been naughty or nice

Gifts For The Adventurer Cyclist

Light for Dark Winter Riding
Short, dark winter days mean visibility is especially important at this time of year which calls for a decent light. These Knog front and rear lights are bright, waterproof, versatile and USB rechargeable.
€19.90 -> buy frontlight here and rear light here.

Ortlieb Bikepacking Bag
The bike-packing adventurer needs somewhere to store their things: this Ortlieb Frame-Pack allows you to exploit your bike frame to create valuable stowage.
€99.99 -> buy now!.

Waterproof Jacket
The adventurer will go out in all weather conditions so our SISMIC rain jacket is perfect – waterproof for when the heavens open and easy to fold up and fit in your pocket when not needed.
€120 -> buy now!

Ridley X-Trail Carbon Ultegra Ex-Rental Bike
The ultimate steed for the adventurer is a gravel bike that those who feature at the top of the Nice List this year deserve!
€2,325 -> buy now!

For The Stylish Cyclist

MAAP Long Sleeve Jersey
This long-sleeved pro-fit women’s jersey by MAAP, one of the most stylish cycling brands out there, is a sure fire hit for the female cyclist in your life.
€170 -> buy now!

CHPT3 Origin 1.62 Jersey Jacket
This clever piece of kit from CHPT3 combines a jersey and a jacket making multiple layers a thing of the past!
€200 -> buy now!

Poc Devesa Helmet
Part of the CHPT3 Girona collection this stlyish, custom-designed Poc Devesa helmet is inspired by the eponymous forest in Girona.
€270 -> buy now!

Oakleys Sunglasses
Oakleys are a stylish cycling classic, and there are now myriad styles and colours to choose from. Our favourites are the Jawbreakers.
From €292: -> buy now!

ASSOS Early Winter Long Gloves
These ASSOS gloves are, like all ASSOS kit, simultaneously stylish and practical, perfect for when it’s a little chilly but not enough for the deep-winter kit to come out.
€80 -> buy now!

Rocacorba Food Truck Jumper
Whether you’ve tackled the infamous Rocacorba climb or you’ve never even seen the iconic phone masts, this Rocacorba jumper is a stylish ode to the Girona classic.
€49.95 -> buy now!

Cyclist-Friendly Stocking Fillers

Cycling Book
Read the unsung stories of cycling’s legendary women in Isabel Best’s book Queens of Pain
€30 -> buy now!

Gift Cards
If you’re truly at a loss as to what gift to buy, or you’re in a last-minute Christmas Eve rush then a gift card is the way to go!

Pongo Socks
Socks are usually considered to be a rubbish Christmas present, one up from a lump of coal, but cyclists love a bit of #sockdoping and when they’re as pretty as these Pongo London ones who wouldn’t want Santa to bring them?
€17 -> buy now!

Spurcycle Bell
If they’re already furnished with bike lights you can make sure your cyclist loved-one is both seen and heard with this Spurcycle Bell – engineered for quality sound. Spurcycle bells ring 3x longer than others – and they look cool too!
€49.99 -> buy now!

For The Cyclist Who’s Been Very Nice This Year

A New Bike
The ultimate Christmas present for a cyclist is of course a bike, and for those who have really stayed on Santa’s good side in 2018 a Ridley Helium X is the perfect gift.
€1,949 -> buy now!

Wahoo
There are few riders nowadays who venture out without some kind of device, we love the Wahoo Elemnt – a versatile all-rounder unlike some counterparts it also has full navigation.
€299.99 -> buy now!

For The Cyclist Who Already Has Everything

Cycling Magazine Subscription
If you’re cyclist loved-one seems to have it all why not get them a subscription to a cycling magazine so they can peruse for yet more stuff? Our pick is Cycling Plus.
From €20 -> buy now!

Strava Summit membership
If, like many, the cyclist in your life spends hours on the bike followed by hours of analysing their ride on Strava then a Strava Summit membership might be for them. Choose a pack based on their goals and interests resulting in tailored extra features.
From €2,00 /month -> buy now!

Winter Cycling Tour
A sure fire way to make a cyclist happy is to give them the perfect excuse to go and enjoy some winter sunshine. Our specially designed winter cycling tours make it possible for cyclists to cycle in sun all year round with popular destinations including Gran Canaria and Southern Spain.
From €1,699 -> buy now!

Christmas Gifts for Cyclists

We hope the above suggestions will help make the Christmas gift buying for the cyclist in your life a bit easier but if you’ve any suggestions that we should add to the list please comment below to let us know. And, if you’d like to find out more about any of our tours as gifts, give us a call now +34 972 649 131 on or contact us online!

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!

November 28, 2018
How to Prepare for your European Cycling Holiday
Embarking on a European cycling holiday takes a lot of planning but the right preparation is important to ensuring that everything goes smoothly from the first idea to the first pedal stroke. So what is the best way to go about planning your European cycling holiday?

How To Plan A European Cycling Holiday

When considering a cycling holiday there are two methods to beginning the planning process, namely:
1. Lead with location: One way to plan your holiday is for your dream location to be the base upon which to build the rest of the aspects of your trip. Whether you’ve always angled to visit the Classic Climbs of The Alps or are dying to see the Dolomites, or maybe there’s that one famous climb you’ve always wanted to tackle, knowing where you want to travel could be the first hurdle to putting your trip together.
2. Dictated by Dates: It may be that work or other restrictions only allow you to take your cycling vacation at a particular time of year or, if you have done your location research well, you know that a particular location is best visited during a particular season. Starting with a set of dates allows you to choose the location wisely based on what time of year is best to visit.
Once you’ve been able to start the planning process by either working from a location or a date the other items to consider for your European cycling holiday are outlined below.

Equipment

When it comes to equipment for your cycling holiday the age-old question of the jet-setting cyclist will probably be the first consideration:

‘To travel with a bike or not to travel with a bike?’

If travelling with a bike bag seems like a burden and thinking about baggage handlers throwing your precious carbon around leaves you in a cold sweat then the answer is to hire a bike. Hiring leaves the stress out of travelling and allows you to rest easy knowing you have a bike waiting for you dialled in to your measurements and size on the other side. Just remember your own saddle and pedals!

If, however you prefer to stick to what you know and bring your own bike then this can also be a good option if you know what you are doing. When travelling with a bike it’s vital to make sure all parts are protected, especially the derailleur – there’s no such thing as too much bubble wrap!

Your Travelling Partners

If you are travelling with other riders who are either weaker or stronger than you it’s important to factor the mixed ability into the itinerary. If you are travelling with a partner or spouse it’s worth checking out the surrounding area to ensure that there is enough around for them to occupy themselves while you are riding.

Tour Package or Bespoke?

Deciding whether to join a package tour or go for a bespoke cycling tour depends on both the size of your group and how specific you want your itinerary to be. If you are planning your trip as a large club or group then the best way is bespoke but if you are a lone traveller looking to meet new people whilst discovering new places then a package is the ticket.

Nutrition

If you are usually reliant on one type of nutrition to get you through your rides then you need to make sure you order it before the trip to take it with you. Most tour operators provide nutrition which is great for emergencies but you want to make sure you’re consuming something that your body is used to so as not to provoke any adverse reactions!

Stress-Free European Cycling Holidays

If you take all of these important points into consideration then planning your European cycling holiday should be stress-free and simple, allowing you to relax and focus on counting down the days to the first ride on new roads! If this has got you inspired to plan your next cycling vacation then why not view our cycling tours (and top winter cycling destinations) and see what suits your preferences. For more information give us a call on +34 972 649 131 or contact us online to get your plans underway!

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!
November 14, 2018
In Photos: A Busy Weekend at Eat Sleep Cycle!

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What a weekend!! Girona was buzzing with the launch of Chpt3 in the Eat Sleep Cycle Hub on Friday night, followed by the celebration of Eat Sleep Cycle’s anniversary with beautiful rides and a delicious cake on Saturday. Here’s our pick of our favourite photos from the event.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who’s supported us over the last couple of years – it’s been one hell of a ride!

CHPT3 Launch, 9th November 2019

The fun began on Friday with the launch of CHPT3 in our Girona store; an innovative brand created in Girona by ex-professional cyclist David Millar. With a new collection inspired by the city itself we’re proud to work with Chpt3 and join together in showcasing the best of Girona’s culture and cycling.

Our very own Brian Canty & David Millar welcomed our guests, plied them with cava & beers and together we toasted to the partnership.

Thanks to photographer Phil Dawson for capturing the event:[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”parallax_image_grid” images=”10405,10406″ img_size=”600×400″][vc_gallery type=”nectarslider_style” images=”10346,10403,10347,10343,10345,10402,10348,10335″ bullet_navigation_style=”see_through” onclick=”link_no” img_size=”600×400″][vc_column_text]

Anniversary Ride, 10th November 2019

Saturday marked the celebration of our two year anniversary and we celebrated in the only way we know how: a big old bike ride!

One headed to our traditional destination of Mare de Deu del Mont on a gorgeous route totalling 120 km and 2,000 m. For those cyclists needing a little respite a gorgeous route 80 km to Esponella & La Mota was on offer, ably guided by the Godfather of Girona, Peter Gaskill.

The rides were finished off with cake (exquisitely baked by Silvia) and cava glugged from Eat Sleep Cycle bidons back at the Hub.

A huge thank you to those who came out to support the ride, to our volunteer guides, cake baker & to all sending their words of support on social media. May the terrible two’s commence![/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”parallax_image_grid” images=”10364,10374″ img_size=”600×400″][vc_gallery type=”nectarslider_style” images=”10377,10370,10341,10339,10337,10336″ bullet_navigation_style=”see_through” onclick=”link_no” img_size=”600×400″][vc_column_text]Photos by: Phil Dawson & Marco Heemskerk

Thanks for reading, see you out on the road!

P.S. Join our Eat Sleep Cycle Club to get exclusive access to Club Member rides and rewards such as discounts on brands such as Assos and MAAP in The Hub![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

November 12, 2018
CHPT3 x Eat Sleep Cycle

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Partnerships are a major part of what we do at Eat Sleep Cycle and from the day we opened the doors of our first shop we’ve been linking arms and joining forces with some of the world’s best brands.

Cycling is booming and new brands appear every month. There’s no shortage of them and as retailers and distributors we’re spoilt for choice.

To use a pro cycling analogy, consider a World Tour manager looking for riders: there is an ocean of talent but you don’t pick the ones you want based solely on talent. You consider the package. You consider what that rider will do for you.

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team were asked by journalists in late 2015, ´why did you pick Lawson Craddock for your team next year´? I’m sure those journalists got their answer in July this year because his was the story of the Tour de France.

He put the spotlight on EF Education First-Drapac in a way 21 stage wins couldn’t have.

Back to branding and though we are spoilt for choice, how on earth do we decide who to pick or who to have in our store?

People ask us, why Ridley bikes? Why MAAP? Why Tactic? Why Rocacorba? Why Oakley? Why Factor?

The answer, broadly, goes like, “we want to work with brands who want to work with us”.

Brands who want to work with us obviously believe in us or else they wouldn’t bother. We say ´yes´ to those who share our Eat Sleep Cycle values of attitude, belief and commitment.

So back to bike racing and imagine we’re in a 200-rider peloton with everyone trying to get to the front for exposure.

The sport – and marketing – is built on that, remember. Get yourself seen and use others to leverage that.

EF Education First-Drapac made the least money from the Tour de France in prize-money this year. They made €14,420. Team Sky, in comparison, made €726,630.

Aside from naming the winner, most will struggle to say who finished second and third.

But I bet they all know who finished last? Yes, Craddock.

So anyway, we’re in the bike race, Eat Sleep Cycle, jostling with the others to show what we can do.

We’re relatively new to this game, so we’re up there sussing out who’s who, who’s doing what.

We feel so good and fresh that we want to get away, get up the road and show ourselves off to the world. But we need help to get away.

We’re looking for help, someone who’ll work with us and to get in the breakaway. We need others like us with attitude, commitment and belief. Those who believe in the power of working together.

When Ridley came to us last year with a genuine love for what we do, it was a no-brainer that we would work with them. When the guys from MAAP flew to Girona from Australia to get in our store, it made the decision very easy as well.

The same goes for the others. And tonight that list will grow a little longer when we hang CHPT3 on our rails and hold the official launch of their clothing in our store.

They’re keen to get into the break and we’re keen to have them work with us.

And here’s why. The CHPT3 brand is Girona. It’s cool, it’s quirky, it’s classy and it works for us.

Girona doesn’t work for everyone and CHPT3 definitely doesn’t work for everyone but it works for us and those who share our values.

It’s a city you’ll especially love if you love cycling, but you might get bored of it after a while. The same applies for CHPT3. You need to feel it.

Take the Backyard Base Layer with very subtle writings on it like TDM, SP and MMYA… Tossa de Mar, Santa Pelaia, Madremanya. Anyone who comes to Girona will fall for these places like we have. Another person might say it’s daft. That’s fine!

Creator of such a not-so-abstract concept is of course David Millar who recognises Girona is almost its own brand, and he did more than most to shape it into the place it is today.

“I came here 12 years ago because it was the perfect training base, we’ve since chosen to live here as a family and start a new life in this amazing place; it’s CHPT3 in more ways than one for us!

“I’ve witnessed Girona grow into the cycling capital of the world, so many people have arrived and businesses started in the past few years – Eat Sleep Cycle represent this new wave of enthusiasm, passion and professionalism better than anybody, and we’re over the moon they want to work with us and that together we have the same vision to help shape Girona and the Costa Brava into the world’s best cycling destination.

“It’s a journey we want to share together, and with anybody else who fancies joining us on the ride.”

We’re excited to see where this takes us at Eat Sleep Cycle! Come join us for the official launch tonight from 5pm at the Eat Sleep Cycle Hub.

All photos by CHPT3.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

November 9, 2018
Winter Cycling Kit for Southern Spain

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere then you will be familiar with the winter ritual of donning multiple layers before a ride in the cold whilst wistfully remembering the days when shorts and a jersey, and possibly a gilet, were all that was required. There is plenty of technical kit out there that will keep you warm on even the coldest of days, but if the rugging up struggle is real and you’ve decided to head to the warmer climes of a winter cycling destination then extra layers can be cast away.

However, before you bin those base layers and get rid of your gloves it’s important to note that a winter trip to Spain doesn’t always mean shorts weather; Girona, although dry and generally warmer can still get chilly, ditto Calpe, whereas Andalucía, Gran Canaria and the Costa del Sol will generally provide higher temperatures. The balance is a tricky one, so here’s our advice on what winter cycling kit you should bring (and leave behind!) for cycling trips to Southern Spain.

What To Bring When Cycling in Southern Spain During Winter

Arm and Leg Warmers:
These garments are essential in everywhere but the warmest of climes. Easy to remove or add en-course arm and leg warmers can be lifesavers. Even if you’re heading to the south of Spain it’s wise to pack them in case the mornings are chilly. If you’re heading anywhere further north they are essential kit for those days when the weather doesn’t quite know what it’s doing.

A Buff:
Breathing in cold air is never pleasant. Lightweight and easy to pack the buff is a no-brainer. If you’re headed to Gran Canaria or similar you may not need to utilise it, however anywhere further north (ergo, most places) you will not regret packing one for those chilly morning starts and descents before the sun heats up.

A Gilet
An important piece of clothing for any type of riding, at any time of year especially if mountains are on the menu: what goes up must come down and sometimes that down can get chilly, no matter how high the temperatures. Easy to pop back in your pocket or leave unzipped for ventilation, a gilet is a must.

A Smart Base-Layer:
Possibly one of the most important items as the core dictates overall temperature, a smart base layer can keep you cool when needed or warm when things cool down. The best kinds of fabric are designed to wick away sweat and control temperature. A short-sleeved merino will serve you well in the north whereas a vest-style one will keep that core temp just right in the south.

A Wind/Rain Jacket:
You’ll hope you don’t need it, however much like an umbrella sod’s law dictates that if you don’t take one you’ll get caught out. Even if it (hopefully) stays in your pocket or suitcase a light jacket may prove a hero item if the weather has a bit of a wobbly. Our own unisex Rain Jacket by Sismic is a great, lightweight option.

What You Can Leave at Home

We’ve seen what winter cycling kit you should bring to Southern Spain, so here are the items that you can leave behind.

Deep Winter Jacket:
There are some amazing deep winter jackets out there that will keep your temperature just right on chilly deep-winter days. But in places where low temperatures rarely enter single figures you can leave this bulky item at home freeing up more suitcase space for energy bars.

Thermal Overshoes:
Cold, numb feet won’t aid your pedalling but neither will sweaty ones. Of course, in sub-zero temperatures and biting wind a thermal overshoe is essential, but wearing them in the mild climes of Gran Canaria will have you hot-footing it to the changing room. An oversock, however, or light overshoe might not go amiss further north of the country. The Assos Tiburu Toe Cover is a fabulous, portable option to take away the wind chill and protect from any rain.

Thermal Gloves:
Thermal gloves lend a hand (oh yes…) on ice-cold days when changing gears would otherwise be rendered impossible but they are also a nuisance when any degree of dexterity is needed. No such fumbling items will be required on a cycling holiday in the south of Spain and friendlier, less bulky equivalents will suffice in the north.

Longs:
Better for your kit to be in modular form (leg and arm warmers, jackets) than to opt for single pieces of thermal wear. Nobody wants to feel overdressed half-way through a ride and have no way of changing. That being said, a long-sleeved jersey would not go amiss on those chillier days if you’re travelling to Girona or Calpe. Check out MAAP’s long-sleeved offerings for men & women for a super-stylish option.

Wooly Hat:
Cold ears are not pleasant but neither is a hot head! That woolly hat with earflaps is a lifesaver at home but it will have you stopping for a layer-removal before you’ve even got going in the south of Spain.

Winter Cycling in Style

Hopefully the above will help you plan your kit for your next cycling adventure but if you have any questions about what gear you may need for any upcoming trips then let us know! Give us a call on +34 972 649 131 or contact us online and we’ll make sure you’re winter cycling in style!

P.S. Join our Eat Sleep Cycle club to get exclusive discounts on brands such as Assos and MAAP in The Hub!

November 7, 2018
What the Pros Think of the 2019 Tour de France Route

The 2019 Tour de France route was unveiled last week. It’s a brutal parcours with 30 categorised climbs and few days for the fast men. Here, in our latest blog, we gathered the reactions of those likely to do battle next July!

With the Grand Depart in Brussels on the 6^th July the 2019 route begins with a classics-style stage before moving on to a 28km TTT. The first summit finish comes on stage 6 with the partly unpaved La Planche des Belles Filles. The race then traverses the Pyrenees in the second week before (hopefully) reaching the GC crescendo in the high mountains of the Alps in the final stages.

2019 Tour de France Route – Opinion From The Pros

Now that the 2019 Tour de France route has been released we thought it would be interesting to get the opinions of pro cyclists around the world and see what they had to say about the route. As we receive more feedback from the pros we’ll update this post so make sure to check back regularly!

Tom Skujins – Team Trek Segafredo

Toms Skujins from Latvia, riding for team Trek Segafredo, KOM jersey wearer at the Tour for 5 days in 2018 and stage winner of Tour of California had the following to say about the 2019 Tour de France route.

“It’s cool that the TTT is back but it´s not crazy long so the time gaps will not be huge, we could see a bit of a GC shake up but obviously until the mountains come the real GC guys will not be in the top 10. It should make for an interesting three weeks. The first week is kind of long as it´s 10 days until the first rest day which is a little bit surprising because it´s usually day 9, and then you get a rest but Saturday Sunday on day 8 and 9 are kinda interesting, especially day 8, it might be harder than people expect. The first real mountain day is day 6 and it´s a proper one, not just a flat run-in and straight uphill, it´s a proper mountain day. I think after the first 10 days we´ll get a feel for what´s going to happen, obviously afterwards there´s still a lot of hard stages, it´s not going to be over just yet, it´s always a race of attrition and as we saw this year in the Giro we lost 2-3 guys from the top 10 in the last 3 days, and they lost big!”

Amund Grondahl Johansen – Team Lotto NL Jumbo

Amund Grondal Johansen is a Norwegian rider in his 2nd year in the World Tour and is 24 years old. This is what he had to say about the 2019 route for the Tour de France.

“I had a quick glance. It looks well balanced, with 7 flat stages to sprint for the win. Furthermore (Christophe) Prudhomme has said the route will include some shorter climbing to make more aggressive racing, which is a good move, I think. Explosive racing is better entertainment and creates more differences than the really hard & long climbing stages. However there´s still enough high summits with both the Galibier and Izeran in the Alps and Tourmalet summit finish in the Pyrenees. The first week will for sure be hectic and nervous on Belgian roads. As far as I can see it won´t be anything too crazy, even though we will pass the Muur van Geraardsbergen early on in a stage.The stages in the Vosges will be interesting, especially with a finish to La Planche des Belle Filles.”

George Bennett – Team Lotto NL Jumbo

George Bennett hails from New Zealand is a member of the Lotto NL Jumbo team. In 2018 he finished 8^th on GC at the Giro d’Italia and he had this to say about the 2019 Tour de France route.

“For a guy like me 2019 is a pretty exciting route, I think they are making life as difficult for Team Sky as possible. It´s maybe one of the most physically demanding routes I´ve seen in a while with a heap of climbing at high altitude and not many time trialling kilometres. It should make for some aggressive racing.”

Dion Smith – Wanty Groupe Goubert

Dion Smith of Wanty Groupe Goubert was a Polka-dot jersey wear in the Tour de France 2018 and is excited about what the 2019 Tour de France route has in store.

“I think this Tour de France is very exciting. This route will be more favourable for the climbers, with more summit finishes, I don’t see any possibility for a team to dominate the Tour, because a lot of riders can show themselves in a wide range of stages. Will be a good watch!”

Patrick Bevin – Team BMC

Also in agreement that next year´s route is on the extreme side is Kiwi all-rounder Paddy Bevin who will ride for the CCC team in 2019 after two years at BMC racing Team.

“The Tour route is interesting; I think the high altitude climbs will create a race that is either wide open, GC riders crack and breaks can´t be kept in check, or a race that becomes a bit of a death match. I´ll obviously be hoping for the former so breaks can get a little more slack to perhaps try and try for the stage.”

Tour de France 2019 – The Countdown Starts Now!

Now that the 2019 Tour de France route has been released the anticipation is building. As we get more feedback from other pro cyclists we’ll update this post so make sure to check back. If you’d like to sample the classic climbs of the Tour de France for yourself check out our Tour de France Pyrennes Cycle Tour – for more info give us a call on +34 972 649 131 or contact us online!

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!

October 31, 2018