Cycling

As winter starts to fade we’re looking for ways to keep riding in a jersey and bib shorts. We’ve put together our top 5 destinations for riding this spring and fall – let us know if you agree or where you’ll be heading to extend in the comments below.

1. Girona – Home of the Pro Peleton

Maybe we’re biased but we think that Girona provides an amazing base for year-round riding. Early spring and Autumn are key times of year as Northern Europe is under a chill but Girona’s climate remains temperate with very little rain. September – November is the perfect time to extend late summer by taking a cycling trip to the Catalan city and explore the place that so many pros call home. No wonder, then, Girona is a perfect European autumn and spring cycling destination. Also for gravel riders is an authentic paradise, as its surroundings are full of stunning gravel rides waiting to be discovered.

The golden combination of city, coast and mountains in Girona means that you can explore a plethora of terrain in one single ride. In addition, unlike many tourist locations, it doesn’t completely shut up shop during winter as there are many locals and students living there. Take the perfect post-ride stroll through the old town to see the stunning Cathedral or visit one of the many excellent restaurants and cafes on offer. Access to Girona is also incredibly easy with the nearest airport a mere 12 km away and the next closest, in Barcelona, is an hour’s train ride away.

Where to stay: in the old town, Hotel Carlemany, Hotel Nord 1901

Top tour: try our Girona Classic Climbs tour for the perfect introduction to road cycling in Girona.

The stunning gravel rides in Girona surroundings

The unique region of Girona, a real paradise for cyclists

2. Mallorca – The Original Cycling Mecca

The original cycling mecca, Mallorca has long seen sun-seeking cyclists making a pilgrimage to the island. Like Girona, it’s a fantastic destination to enjoy all year around. In line with its Catalan counterpart Mallorca boasts a combination between coast and mountains meaning that the landscape is varied. Few riders will find the Mallorcan roads too challenging, there is a combination of flat and mountainous terrain alike meaning that riders of all abilities can enjoy what the largest of the Balearic islands has to offer.

One of the most popular rides on the island is to the Cap de Fortmentor lighthouse – the most northern point of the island, for nothing else if not a photo opportunity.  An ascent of the sinewy climb of Sa Colabra, by far the most famous climb on the island and one of the most well-known in the world is also essential. Off the bike there is plenty to see and do including visiting the capital, Palma.

Learn more: Read our Guide to Cycling in Mallorca to plan your own trip.

Where to stay: Sóller, Pollença

Top Tour: Join our Mallorca Experience for a true insight into island life.

Cycling Mallorca off the beaten track roads

3. Andalucía – Stunning cycling, culture and history

The Southern regions of Spain are a long-held favourite location of leisure cyclists and World-Tour teams alike. It’s no surprise that so many fly south for winter; Andalucía enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year and only 40 days of rain on average.

The beautiful city of Granada is mostly known for the climb to Pico de Veleta, this is just one of the many other stunning roads within easy reach of the city. As with the rest of the South of Spain, the draw is not only the fantastic riding but also the laid-back lifestyle and delicious food and wine on offer, re-fuelling with some delicious tapas and a cerveza is a must.

Where to stay: Ronda, Antequera, Granada.

Top Tour: Travel back in time on this off-the-beaten track adventure & join our Classic Andalucia tour.

The beautiful city of Antequera

4. Tuscany – An Italian Classic

Tuscany is a region for cyclists who love breathtaking vistas, Italian food & wines and a mix of road and gravel riding.

Every March the pro’s race through the Tuscan countryside on the Strade Bianche spring classic. We join the party to take part in the Strade Biance Gran Fondo –  a race that follows the route of the pro race starting & finishing in the history city of Siena.

The Strade Bianche Grand Fondo offers an undulating course, made more challenging by the sectors of white gravel roads. With the choice of an 87 km or 139 km route the course is accessible and completing the course is achievable for riders with a wide range of fitness – it just depends how fast!

Where to stay: Chianti, Siena.

Join the party: Ride with us on our Strade Bianche tour.

Let yourself be captivated by the bella Tuscany

5. The Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Fly into Marrakech to start your off the beaten track cycling adventure.

Morocco Atlas Mountains Tour offers an authentic experience for guests open to discovering the unique blend of Arab, Berber & European cultures that shape the heart of Morocco. It’s best enjoyed in Spring & Autumn. High altitudes mean winter brings in snow that blocks the roads & in summer the temperatures soar.

Riding in places that you never thought you could, with the humbling hospitality from your guides and tasting the delicious Moroccan food of slow-cooked tagines, fresh juices & bottomless pots of tea. Morocco is so much more that the hectic Medina in Marrakesh & so different from the stereotypes.

Where to stay: Marrakesh, Telouet, Imlil.

Top Tour: Join our Morocco Atlas Mountains Tour and get off the beaten tourist track into rural Morocco.

Climb into the Atlas mountains

Inspiring Early Spring/Autumn Cycling Spots

Inspired? Each of the 5 Early Spring/Autumn cycling spots above give you the ability to indulge in a cycling tour or training session with a warm and sunny climate to be enjoyable! For more information or to find out about how we can tailor a winter trip to your needs email us on [email protected] 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!

In our 2023 New Arrivals blog series we’ll take a look at the new product launched by our brand partners. We cut through the marketing smoke & mirrors and tell you what we really think. We can do this because we are independent (we work with many brands) and we test ride all of the products we talk about in our rental and demo fleets.

There is so much we love about Basso bikes. For a start they are one of the few Italian brands that is still owned by the founder (Alcide) & run by his family (wife Lucia & son’s Alessandro & Leonardo). Secondly, they are one of the only Italian brands still manufacturing bikes in Italy. When we visit the Basso bikes office in Treviso, Italy, we also visit the factory.

But there is an even bigger reason why we love Basso. They come out with so much new product and bike innovation, it makes Specialized look like a bystander. We’re serious, for a small Italian brand to bring out four new models in 2023 while other brands simply slap on a new colour, that’s impressive, let’s take a look at them.

The all new 2023 Basso Astra All-Road Bike

Talk about moving with the times. When we first heard of the Astra becoming an all-road bike we nearly fell off our chair. It’s exactly what we need for our Girona and Málaga bike rental fleets. With clearance for a 35 mm tyre, this is enough to still enjoy the fast road sections but also dive off onto a track and explore the countryside. Tyre choice is obviously important here, we will go with the widest possible low tread tyre to ensure minimal rolling resistance on the road but maximum comfort off road.

The second feature of the 2023 All-Road Astra we love is the integration of all the cables. It now looks like a €10k bike for half the price. It’s got smooth lines and as always sexy colours to choose from. If you want one bike for all your riding this should be a serious contender in 2023.

Can a racing bicycle be versatile and performing at the same time?

The new 2023 Basso Diamante Climbing Bike

The elephant in the room with the Basso Diamante always was its weight. It always had the looks and handled amazingly, but it was the slightly heavier weight with comparatively priced models which put people off the bike.

In its eighth evolution Basso engineers have shaved off 200 grams from the frame which may not sound like a lot but we know it’s possible to build a 6.8 kg bike with the frame. That’s light!

If you like a high performance but stable geometry the Basso Diamante is your bike. It gives so much confidence on the descents we literally select it for our high end rental fleet so less people fall off and damage the bike!

Diamante is devoted to the slopes, to the differences in height, to the most rugged climbs.

The Basso Palta Gravel Bike

Ok, so officially this bike came out in 2022 but we can’t help but include it. The Palta is so popular it became a brand in its own right. Now it is one of the gravel bikes of choice in and around Girona again achieving high performance and comfortable geometry.

The Basso Palta is born from aggressive, race geometry but the latest model has evolved to a much more versatile machine – now just a ready for bikepacking adventure as it is for race-day.

The proof that exploration is better with adrenaline and speed.

The Vega Gravel Electric Bike

The Volta is Basso´s high end carbon electric gravel bike but it comes at a price. So the Vega gravel is an introduction to the same technology at an affordable price point. With a massive 500 Wh battery this bike goes as far and hard as you need it to. And 17.8 kg isn´t all that bad considering it is an alloy frame and the size of the battery and motor.

A bicycle that makes gravel accessible to every cyclist.

Want to find out more about Basso? 

The best way to get to know the brand is to ride the bikes. You can’t test ride these stunning bikes at our cycling hubs in Girona or Málaga. Head over to our Bike Hire page to book your ride!

We are one week into 2023, have you changed anything yet?

Whether you believe in New Year’s Resolutions or not, if it is a way to ride your bike more than we think it’s worth a go! Here are some of our top ideas to have a better year on your bike in 2023.

1. Book a cycling trip to look forward too

Research shows that the enjoyment of a holiday starts as soon as you book. So get those good vibes going right away! Whether it’s in Spring, Summer, Autumn or even next Winter, get a cycling trip in the calendar as early as possible and have something to look forward to. 

Plus, having something to look forward to will motivate you with the other New year resolutions, like getting fitter and eating healthier. 

Where will your bike take you?

2. Spend more time with friends

Bike rides are a perfect way to see your friends and also meet new friends. Do more social cafe rides in 2023. Join a local club or sign up to a local event, you won’t regret it!

At our cycling hubs in Girona and Málaga we organize regular events that you can get involved with on your cycling break.

Join us for a ride!

3. Get your partner riding more

One way to ride more may be to persuade your partner to ride more so you can enjoy outings together. Find out what the barriers to that are and break them down. If it´s road safety try off road, if it’s the cold weather try better clothing. Ride at their pace if you can and focus on enjoyment rather than crunching numbers. We think you’ll enjoy the result!

Enjoy a cycling adventure with yout partner!

4. Get a structured training plan or cycling coach

Any type of cyclist with any objective can benefit from a cycling plan and cycling coach. It´s a extra motivation to ride when perhaps you would skip it and it will for sure have you fitter and smashing those climbs when the warmer months come.

5. Treat yourself to a new bike in the January sale to motivate you to get out

There are some great sales at the moment as bike shops clear 2022 stock. It’s the perfect time to grab a bargain with your Christmas money and perhaps try a new discipline (MTB, gravel or road cycling). It will help to get you out on the bike more. 

New bikes at Málaga Cyclcling Hub

We hope these top tips have been useful for deciding which New Year’s Resolutions you would like to try to cycle more in 2023.

This time last year we still didn’t know what kind of year was in store for 2022. We didn’t guess how quickly the world would forget about Covid and everyone would get back to living life at its fullest.

For Eat Sleep Cycle 2022 has meant the complete return of cycling tourism and of course the inevitable stabilising of bike buying after the 2021 boom.

But once again we have proven that by having a diverse cycling business we are agile to changes in market conditions and able to adapt & thrive.

In 2022 we doubled out turnover, opened a new bike hire centre, a new HQ, a new clothing store in Girona, opened a new cycling Hub in Malaga & celebrated turning 6 years old.

So how on earth did we do it?!

There’s a lot to get through so I’ll divide it up!

Bike Hire – a new home in Girona

We were ready for bikers to flock back to Girona.

In 2021 we invested in a new cafe restaurant in Girona, so in 2022 when we also opened a dedicated bike hire center a lot of people thought we were crazy.

But when Spring hit and the cycling tourists flocked in their hundreds we were one of the only bike hire points in Girona & were able to make the most of both the spring & autumn season.

I want to thank our amazing bike hire team for smashing a really busy season.

In 2023 we will be adding new brands like Cannondale to our bike rental fleet and improving the customer experience.

Cycling Tours – the adventure re-starts!

Many people who dusted off their bike during COVID wanted an adventure

2022 was our biggest ever year for cycling tours & we saw our share of the high demand for travel as Covid restrictions finally lifted. Since we are based in Europe we quickly got back to business helping cyclists have amazing experiences in new places.

We welcomed our first guests to Slovenia & Morocco & we’re finally able to welcome guests who booked with us back in 2019.

2023 is all about developing new cycling tours & focusing on quality delivery.

Morocco Atlas Mountains Tour

Retail: the journey continues!

We really believe in bricks & mortar retail, giving customers the chance to touch and test product in real time.

In autumn 2022 we opened a brand new apparel store in Girona and another point of sale in Málaga (more about that below).

The Girona apparel store has set a new benchmark in representing our clothing brands.

In 2023 we will work hard on adding value in physical retail, extra services like dynamic bike fit, shoe testing, the improvements are endless, let’s see how far we can push it.

We will also continue to grow our online shop.

Acknowledgement of a ‘Cycling Hub’

Most cyclists know what a cycling cafe or Rapha clubhouse is. I remember clearly 6 years ago on a social ride brainstorming what we could call our new concept.

In 2022 I’ve heard guests, suppliers, potential investors and many others speak about our Girona Cycling Hub.

We mix retail, product testing, bike hire, coffee and cycling tours. It’s unique!

Eat Sleep Cycle 6th Aniversary Social Ride

Eat Sleep Cycle HQ: a dream becomes reality

I’d always dreamt of a big office with lots of natural light and nice working conditions for our office staff with a big warehouse below full of beautiful bikes and gear.

In Summer 2022 we moved in! Our new HQ in Fornells de la Selva has views of Rocacorba & Els Àngels – daily inspiration for our team of cycling lovers!

The Málaga Cycling Hub – Eat Sleep Cycle goes South

We’ve had our eyes on Andalucía for 6 years and in November we opened a new Cycling Hub in Málaga.

Málaga is a vibrant city on the Costa del Sol, blessed with fantastic riding & a great climate all year around. The weather on the South coast of Spain varies from 10-20 Degrees all winter long!

In our Málaga Cycling Hub our goal is to bring the magic of Girona to the south & build a cycling community down south, as well as counteracting the down season we’ve suffered for years in Girona.

You’ll have to stay tuned to find out if there will be another cycling hub in 2023!

Thank you to everyone!

I’d like to thank all of our guests, customers, our suppliers, partner brands and of course our hard working staff for a MEGA year, the biggest and best yet in our history.

I have a strong feeling that there’s a lot more to come in 2023!

Keep pedalling!

Winter is coming… but imagine you could avoid donning those woolly overshoes and rain jacket and chase the summer around the world, where would you go? Here are some of the top European winter cycling destinations for some winter sun in 2022/23!

All Winter Cycling Destinations

The following destinations are ready to be explored all throughout the winter months without a leg-warmer in sight! The go-to locations for a mid-winter getaway or epic training camp these are the fail-safe, tried and tested all-winter cycling destinations.

Gran Canaria & Tenerife – Cycling Heaven

More than just a beach holiday destination, a visit to Gran Canaria by bike will leave you wondering if the island was actually designed by cyclists. Year-round temperatures of between 22 and 25 degrees, a mere 148 mm of rainfall on average over 12 months, plenty of climbing and some of the smoothest tarmac you’ll ever ride on make it a cycling haven.

The landscape of Gran Canaria is uniquely stunning and diverse ranging from sparse and volcanic to lively and green. The climbs here can be steeper than the neighbouring Canary Islands meaning the riding is somewhat more challenging and varied – perfect training terrain. Those who aren’t all about pushing their limits on a cycling getaway can take advantage of recovery time on the many beautiful beaches the island has to offer.

Canary Islands are one of our top picks for legs-out cycling as the rest of Europe stays wrapped up. Join our our Gran Canaria & Tenerife Experience for a true insight into Island life or check out our top pick of Gran Canaria’s cycle routes to plan your own trip.

Where to stay: Puerto Mogan, Cruz de Tejeda, Agaete.

Ride In The Winter Sun

The South of Spain/Calpe – Sun & Smooth Tarmac

The regions of Spain are a long-held favourite location of leisure cyclists and World-Tour teams alike. It’s no surprise that so many fly south for winter; Andalucía enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year and only 40 days of rain on average. Calpe and the surrounding area boasts a similarly temperate climate and is swarming with cyclists engaging in some winter training during the colder months.

The Costa Tropical region is like most good training locations – the area is very hilly, several climbs over 2,000 m, good road surfaces and sparse traffic. The Calpe/Alicante area is known in summer as a haven for those seeking sun-soaked partying but in winter it attracts a very different kind of clientele who mix with the stalwart mahogany ex-pats. Cyclists flock to the region in search of sun and smooth tarmac, which they receive in abundance. As with the rest of Spain, the draw is not only the fantastic riding but also the laid-back lifestyle and delicious food and drink on offer, re-fuelling with some delicious tapas and a cerveza is a must. Check here to see what cycling kit you’ll need for winter cycling in Southern Spain!

Where to stay: Mojacar, Calpe, Almería, Almuñécar.

A beautiful network of climbs, descents & changing landscapes

Málaga – Coast and Mountains

Málaga seems like a paradise for cyclist with its smooth roads & the buzz of a vibrant beach-side city that never sleeps.

One of our favorite rides out of Málaga is the Puerto Leon, a 16.1 Km 5.6 % AVG gradient road climb that starts right from the city. In no time you are away from the hustle and bustle and into the mountains, crossing paths only with farmers. But it is when you swing back towards the coast and you’re hit with that lovely sea breeze, that you realise just how special that mix of mountains and coast really is.

Our Málaga Classic Climbs itinerary offers 6 unique rides that combine the highlight climbs in the area with the coast. There is no better feeling than riding back from the hills to the beach for that well deserved ice coffee, ice cream or chilled beer (or all three). Check here to know Why You Should Consider Cycling in Málaga this Winter

Where to stay: Màlaga

Enjoy smooth, quiet roads & a warm climate

Christmas in Girona – A week of festivities & cycling in a beautiful region

Exploring the beautiful roads of Girona at Christmas time is the perfect plan. The catalan city and its surroundings are a cycling paradise at any time of the year, however, at Christmas time the catalan landscape looks specially alluring.

Where to stay: in the old town, Hotel Carlemany, Hotel Nord 1901

The unique region of Girona, a real paradise for cyclists

Inspiring Winter Cycling Spots

Inspired? Each of the 4 winter cycling spots above give you the ability to indulge in a cycling tour or training session when it should be too cold to be enjoyable! Take a look at our winter camps to see how you can enjoy some cycling in the sun this winter. For more information or to find out about how we can tailor a winter trip to your needs email us on [email protected] 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!

Big news from Eat Sleep Cycle! In the words of Co-Founder Lee:

After our successful crowdfunding campaign in the summer of 2021, when our community came together to raise over €30,000 to open the Eat Sleep Cycle Cafè, we are thrilled to announce that Eat Sleep Cycle SL has now secured capital investment.

We will use the funds primarily to grow our tours business, as we speak we are developing new cycling tours in new locations worldwide. We will also grow our tours team which is working from our new headquarters in Fornells de la Selva, just outside of Girona. We will continue to find the best local cycling guides and guarantee them work for years to come. Our focus is on a 5* repeatable cycling tour product for our guests.

Of course retail, which has grown exponentially over the last 3 years, will continue to be an important part of our business and we will focus more online. We have a unique business model which combines cycling experiences and retail.

Sustainability is core to everything we are doing and from installing solar panels to updating our vehicle fleet to electric, from stocking more sustainable cycling products to investigating zero footprint cycling tours, we will use the funding to become a more sustainable business.

Our investors whom we have known since 2018, come from Chicago. We have ridden across the Pyrenees, Dolomites and French Alps together. So they know us well and see the growth potential in our business. The wealth of experience, knowledge and contacts they bring us will be invaluable in the coming years. 

For Louise and I, this investment comes after 6 years of hard work, half of which has been through the pandemic involving travel bans. We have stuck to our core ethos of cycling as a way of life; for sport, for commuting to work, for mental health and lower environmental impact, for traveling and experiencing new cultures. We are super excited for a bright and prosperous future together with our staff team, customers & suppilers.

Want to find out more?

For more informaiton contact founder Louise at [email protected]

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