TOUR DE PIRINEXUS. Bacchus ON BIKES A CYCLING CHALLENGE IN CATALONIA 3 DAYS - 3 STAGES - 300KM SPRING: MAY 2018 AUTUMN: SEPT 2018

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1 Bacchus ON BIKES A CYCLING CHALLENGE IN CATALONIA TOUR DE PIRINEXUS 3 DAYS - 3 STAGES - 300KM SPRING: MAY 2018 AUTUMN: SEPT

2 TOUR DE PIRINEXUS 2018 The Tour de Pirinexus is a cycling challenge taking place for the second year running in Our Spring ride is between 16th-20th May 2018 and our Autumn ride is between 26th - 30th September Based on the Pirinexus route, a dedicated cycling route through Spanish and French Catalonia, the event takes place over 3 days and aims to provide participants with the opportunity to challenge themselves yet enjoy the rewards of good food and wine throughout. A physical challenge infused with local history, culture and cuisine that will thrill cyclists and epicureans alike Looping between Spain and France over the shoulders of the Pyrenees, the Tour de Pirinexus is an arranged marriage of velo culture and viticulture. Starting in Girona, a cycling hub for over a quarter of pro Tour cyclists, the route will wend along the region s beautiful backroads, linking the villages, towns and wonderful wineries of the Empordà and Girones region - two regions of Catalonia that are relatively unknown given their gastronomic, viticultural and olive oil producing heritage. 300km in total through an array of stunning mountain and rural landscapes, with the best of local Catalan wine and cuisine to match! Price 1,125 per person incl. VAT What is included? Airport transfers from Girona Airport 4 nights accommodation in 3-4* hotels (twin sharing) All meals including wine - water and refreshments throughout Bike hire - Canondale Road Bikes Support team & luggage transfer Physiotherapy treatment and massages Tour de Pirinexus Cycling jersey What is excluded? Flights, Travel insurance, Personal costs, Single room supplement

3 WELCOME TO CATALONIA The Bacchus team will be waiting for you at Girona Airport to transfer you to your hotel in Girona Old Town, Hotel Palau de Bellavista. Following check-in and bike fitting, we will gather on the terrace overlooking the Old Town for a Welcome to Catalonia wine tasting. An excellent selection of Emporda wines with tapas will whet your appetite for dinner at La Taverna del Angel. Enjoy a typical Catalan 3-course meal with fellow guests and an event brief with your hosts, Tony Wallington OBE, Gareth Davies and Josep Maria Codina before returning to the hotel to rest up before Stage One of the Tour de Pirinexus. STAGE ONE - INTO THE PYRENEES After breakfast and bike preparation, Stage One commences on the iconic Pont de Pedra bridge in Girona s old town. We will head east and then north through the Garrotxa National Park to Olot. The first climb of the tour awaits - an ascent on peaceful backroads taking you to Oix and then Rocabruna at 1,101m. Descend into the quaint Pyrenees mountain village of Camprodon with views over the Camprodon Valley. Hotel Camprodon is located on the riverbank and has extensive gardens - a perfect spot for a massage before a relaxed wine tasting and hearty Catalan meal in the evening. Distance: 115.7km. Elevation Gain: 2,601m. Click for route here

4 STAGE TWO - THE CAMEL S BACK Depart from Camprodon and launch straight into the first climb of the day over the Col d Ares mountain pass. At 1,519m, it is the highest point of the Pirinexus route and your gateway into France. Following a dramatic descent into French Catalonia, wend your way along 40km of backroads before reentering Spain and attacking La Vajol, the penultimate climb of the day. Once over the top, the end of Stage Two is in sight - Hotel Can Xiquet awaits with stunning views across the Cap de Creus, the most easterly point of the Iberian Peninsula. Settle in for an evening of fine wine and divine food in one of Bacchus favourite spots in the Empordà. Distance: 92.0km. Elevation Gain: 1,990m. Click for route here STAGE THREE - HELLS ANGELS A new route for the Spring Tour de Pirinexus will take us from Cantallops southwest past the city of Figueres - a route with more spectacular climbs and panoramic mountain and coastal views. With 25km to go, dig in deep one last time and summit Els Angels, the final obstacle between you and a night of well deserved and guilt-free indulgence in Girona. Dinner, wine and awards followed by Bacchanalian celebrations in town to cap off a great few days in Catalonia! Distance: 103.2km. Elevation Gain: 1,737m. Click for route here

5 HOMEWARD BOUND Wake up in Girona and enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the city. Relax by the pool or explore the old town if you have time. Bacchus will be providing transfers to the airport for your return flight home. ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? The Tour de Pirinexus has been designed to provide you with an epicurean experience of Catalonia and the opportunity to challenge yourself by choice. The challenge of 3-days cycling on dedicated cycle routes has been combined with excellent overnight accommodation and the reward of outstanding local wine and cuisine. Preparation, Training and Support If you would like to get the most out of this classic route and Bacchus experience, we recommend you go to the following link for more information about how best to prepare and train for this sportive. Click here and scroll down to the section named Training. Each day the support vehicle will be nearby should you need mechanical support or assistance and a member of the Bacchus team will guide you on each stage. With a passion for everything the region has to offer, from cycling and walking to eating good food and drinking local wine, the support team s invaluable local knowledge hopes to make your tour a unique and memorable experience for everyone. GET IN TOUCH If you have any questions or queries about registering for the Tour de Pirinexus, please info@bacchusonbikes.com or call

6 2017 IN PICTURES

7 TESTIMONIALS The perfect blend of epicurean experiences and challenging cycling in a charismatic corner of Europe that has everything fascinating history, fine wine, mountain passes and a cracking coast. Patrick Kinsella A wonderful few days of cycling, riding through absolutely stunning mountain vistas coupled with terrifying descents. Delicious food, plenty of great wine and fantastic company. Marc Talbot I was slightly nervous ahead of the Tour de Pirinexus as I have never done anything like this before but I can safely say it was one of the best things I ve ever done and I want to do more! It was brilliantly organised; Tony and Gareth provided expert support and made sure everyone had a thoroughly good time, and the route is just spectacular. Just the perfect mix of fun, challenge, amazing scenery and delicious food/drink. I can t wait for next year! Katy Shaw Very challenging routes through wonderful countryside. Well organised trip where everyone is challenged to push themselves but to have fun. Gary Lowe Belter of a trip. Challenging and amazing views. Fantastic support. Overall wonderful few days. Angus McIntosh An incredible experience where challenging climbs mixed with breathtaking views, fine wine, food and very enjoyable company make for a highly recommended and well organised tour. I will be signing up again! Jonathan Goor

8 join us for the ride! TOUR DE PIRINEXUS A CYCLING CHALLENGE IN CATALONIA Bacchus ON BIKES