Anyone who has ever been cycling in the Gerona area of Spain will not have missed to notice that both the landscape and the entire culture in and around Gerona are made for ultimate cycling experiences. It's not a surprise that Gerona has become the hometown to many professional cyclists from all over the world over the years.
Gerona is Spain's northeastern province and part of the region of Catalonia. The province capital shared the same name, Gerona, and is a beautiful town with many authentic elements from ancient times. Thanks to the location of the city of Gerona, cycling never gets boring. If you head east towards the coast you can taste the Mediterranean atmosphere along the Mediterranean Sea, while inland you can tingle your calves on the characteristic Spanish steep climbs you reach by beautiful rolling roads along the way. Gerona actually has it all, including a pleasant climate almost all year long.
About Marie
For our TeamFFWD ambassador Marie Detouche, cycling is more than just a sport or passion, it is a lifestyle. Almost everything you experience in daily life can be translated to what you experience on the bike. In her own words, Marie says, "Life is like cycling in the mountains, everything is about climbing and descending, ups and downs." There are so many great reasons to go cycling. Escape from the daily hectic, meet new people, clear your head, get stronger, and so much more.
In her younger years, Marie was active as a swimmer and triathlete, putting a lot of time into training and competing. Over the years, the love for cycling become more intense and the other sports faded into the background. Cycling became Marie's number one passion.
“Thanks to cycling, I meet new people and discover new places, experiences that I would not have had without my bike. Cycling gives me the opportunity to challenge myself and push my limits. Besides the rides with friends, cozy coffee rides and lots of fun, there's also the grueling during the hard solo training rides. That always keeps it exciting!”
Marie and Gerona
In January 2022, Marie decided to move from France to Gerona, Spain. For Marie by far the best place to live for cyclists. This unique place gives Marie the opportunity to discover the unique cycling culture and pushed the love for cycling into an ultimate dimension.
The Ride
Still every day Marie discovers new routes, roads, hills and mountains in the most fantastic landscapes with every time a different view. The ride Marie wants to share with us counts 144 kilometers with no less than 2200 altimeters and goes through her favorite part southwest of Gerona.
From the start in Gerona, the ride leads through the town of Santa Coloma de Farners towards the first climb of the day with just over 600 altimeters but with a length of over 18 kilometers. The descent ends in the town of Arbucies where the next climb starts immediately with the summit at almost 900 meters.
After a short descent you arrive in the beautiful town of Viladrau which is an perfect place for cyclists to have a coffee break and enjoy the great views. Because you ride exactly between two national parks (Parc Natural) you will get to see the most beautiful pictures of characteristic Spanish landscapes.
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After the coffee stop it's time for the highest climb of the day which hit to 1000 meters altitude. The Sant Hilari, with just over 8 kilometers, is not very long, but it is certainly a tough calf bite and brings you once again to an area that is more than worth it. After the three climbs that got a little higher each time, it is nice to roll out in a long descent that ends up back in Gerona.
Would you like to enjoy this ride if you are in Gerona? Then download the GPX file over here.
About Marie’s wheels choice
You probably won't be surprised Marie doesn't leave a mile on her road bike unused without her FFWD wheels rolling with her. Marie's number one weapon of choice? The FFWD RYOT44! We won't blame her, nicer looks from the black FFWD racing machines in the silver-gray S-Works Tarmac you rarely see.
For Marie, the RYOT44 is the perfect all-rounder and gives her full confidence in the Spanish countryside where the terrain is changing every time again. From rolling roads to real climbing and fast descents, the RYOT44 feels at home always and everywhere.
