How to structure a cycling vacation / high volume endurance block?

Training
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I’m fortunate enough to be going on cycling focused vacation with a mate. We’ll have 11 days in Girona where we are able to ride. I’ve done some backpacking trips before, where I basically just rode really long days in z1/z2 for a couple of days to get from A to B, but have never really done a dedicated vacation of that length where I had unlimited time to ride and recover.

Now, I would love to get some input on how you guys would approach this.

About me

  • Mid Thirties
  • Training regularly about 8h a week and some additional Strength training (2h) and cross training (0-4h). Have a good year of consistent training behind me.
  • Don’t race, just ride. Do some Audax / Gran Fondos and just like to train and get faster :slight_smile:
  • FTP of 3.5W/kg
  • Love long days in the saddle at an easy-ish pace.

The Plan

  • Go for lots of volume with very little intensity. Maybe the occasional tempo/Sweet Spot effort.
  • Do 3 days on / 1 day off for the 11 days
  • On days: Ride about 4h every day, maybe one longer day per 3-Day block (up to 6h).
  • Off days: Completely off or a recovery spin of an hour max.
  • Go for about 40h of volume in total
  • I have zero obligations. I will just eat a lot, chill a lot, sleep a lot.
  • There will be a rest week before and after the trip.

Am I missing something? Any do’s or don’ts from the more experienced crowd?

Bonus Question: Any routes in Girona I should not miss?

Cheers!

1 Like
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Sounds like the best life that! And I think your plan is good. I’ve never been to Girona, but I usually go to Mallorca once a year, and I basically do what you plan to to.

Last year I went there for about the same length as you’ll be on for this trip. I see that I had one rest day on that trip. I tried to go easy most of the time, but also rode as much as possible. When in Rome etc.. I like to push it volume wise when going on trips like that, knowing that I am able to rest when I get back home. So if I’m on the bike for 6 hours every day, as long as I go easy, I don’t stress about it. Have fun!

1 Like
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Depends on what you’re looking for:

Climbs

  • Els Angles is close to Girona and not steep but is one of the iconic and fun climbs to have a go at, maybe a the start of a longer ride (coffee place at the summit).
  • Mont due Mare - not sure if I’ve spelled it right, another iconic local climb - relatively long and has some steeper ramps towards the end - it’s located a bit Northwest of the city, the other side of Banyoles lake. High summit gives good views.
  • Rocacorba - the benchmark climb in the region for pros and amateurs alike. Not a particularly beautiful climb in terms of the road (surface is a bit mixed) and the views are a bit restricted until you get to near the top, but a real test of fitness and its relentless after the relatively easy first bit.

Longer loops

  • Roses near the coast (Northeast of the city) is nice
  • L’Esala a bit closer and similarly nice
  • El port de La selva - a bit further northeast but well worth the relatively easy flat ride out to the fun climbs that surround the port. Nice harbour with places to have lunch
  • Coastal routes - there are multiple ‘classic’ local loops that take in the coastal road which is Southeast of the city - either going South to get there or up over ELS Angels and then down. Strava has many options - or if you follow one of the local high profile riders (like YouTuber Tristan Cardew) on Strava you’ll see some great examples.
  • If you ride West / Southwest then there are routes out towards Olot or the well known ‘Dam’ by the lakes - but I’ve not done those myself so can’t speak to the terrain - although I’ve been told they are excellent . The same sort of area is where they host the ‘Barocca’ road race - 06 April this year I think (again not sure I’ve spelt this correctly) and these are reportedly good roads for a long day in the saddle (I think there is at least one decent YouTube video I’ve seen of the race).

Hope this helps
Have fun :star_struck:

4

Thanks so much for the great reply! Really lookin forward to riding some of those climbs and routes, they sound amazing. I Love to ride up grades, so those climbs already have me excited :smiley:

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No worries.

If you’re staying in the city watch out for the one-way system for cyclists. It’s not always immediately clear and can result in an on the spot fine if you fall fouls of the authorities :smiley:

Banyoles lake is worth riding up to - it’s a short spin and there is a road that circumvents it - anticlockwise being the best way in my opinion. Plenty of lakeside places to stop for lunch or a coffee.

I’m envious of your extended break there - enjoy it. I’m back there myself this week for a 4-day trip and the weather forecast looks positive. :ok_hand:t2: