The Sea Otter Europe Cycle Tour, which is due take place on Sunday 4 June 2017 as part of the magnificent Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona Bike Show, has unveiled its route. The race will start at 9 am and offer two routes, 80 and 130 km, both of which will begin and end at the Fontajau Pavilion in Girona. These routes, which have been carefully studied, combine the physical demands of timed stretches with the pure pleasure of pedalling down roads flanked by spectacular scenery, in what will be one of Europe’s biggest cycling events of the year.
The short version (80 km, with an elevation gain of 850 m) will cross the Girona plain to Llagostera and Caldes de Malavella, where it will continue on to Cassà de la Selva before making the race’s main ascent to the Els Àngels Sanctuary. This section, a timed stretch up what is a legendary mountain pass among cyclists, features an 11km ascent with a net elevation change of 485 meters up a narrow road which winds its way through Mediterranean forest and offers breathtaking views of the Les Gavarres massif.
The long version of the cycle tour (125 km, with an elevation gain of 1,600 m) will include two timed stretches and follow the same route as the short version up to km 22, at which point the cyclists will head towards Romanyà de la Selva. Next comes a 10km descent to Calonge, from which the racers will begin the climb along the La Ganga mountain pass, a stunning setting backdropped by the Costa Brava. The route then makes a slight descent to La Bisbal d’Empordà, at km 56, which marks the beginning of the long 16km climb to Sant Pellaia. This fairly quick mountain pass has an average gradient of 2% and culminates with a descent to Cassà de la Selva, where riders will be able to catch a glimpse of the Els Àngels Sanctuary. The cyclists will tackle the main climb with 80 km under their belt, after which, following the second timed stretch, they will head towards Sant Martí Vell, before returning across gentle yet deceptively hilly terrain to Girona, where the public will be waiting for them at the Sea Otter Europe finish line.
The race is organized by the Club Ciclista Sport Ter- Els Bandolers, and will be one of the must attend events on this year’s cycle tour circuit. The festival will offer to the assistants an unique weekend that schedules a comprehensive line-up of sports and cycle-tourism activities, and also an exhibition space.
The registrations are opened in TicketOci, and there’s a promotional price of 25 Euros till the 31th January. Then, it will cost 30 Euros. All the participants will also have discounts when buying cyclist clothes and the official merchandising in Sea Otter Europe, designed by Taymory. All the participants will receive an official Sea Otter Europe T-Shirt, several food stations and a bag with some products at the arrival line. The registration also guarantees the medical assistance and access to the general services in the festival, such as cleaning bike, toilets, shower, family activities, restaurants, commercial fair, exhibitions and bike test, among others.
Yesterday, during the presentation in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid of the ‘Cycling Friendly Hotels’ promoted by SERHS Tourism, was also presented the Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona Bike Show.
One of the Sea Otter Europe’s commitments is to promote the Costa Brava and Girona as a tourist destination closely linked to the world of cycling. SERHS is one of the main European receptive accommodations, which provides of high quality resources and services with accommodation and services, for both professional cyclists and tourists who want to practice cycling in the area.
SERHS group supports Sea Otter Europe and proposes special offers during the fair-cycling festival, which will be held in Girona on 2, 3 and 4 June.