Escape Winter
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Lake Maggiore & Lake Como -
Almeria to Seville
HIDDEN GEM
6 NIGHTS
COMFORT
LEVEL 3
588 KM
13,700 M
BASQUE COUNTRY CYCLE TOUR
Welcome to the Basque Country, gastronomic capital of the world and a well-kept cycling secret, full off off-the-beaten track climbs, views of the Costa Verde & hidden gems of the Vuelta España.
Start the ride in San Sebastian, a city built around the beautiful La Concha bay & host to the annual world tour race, La Clasica San Sebastian. Our cycling itinerary takes in the regions best climbs of the Jaizkibel, Igeldo & Aritxulgei.
All too soon we ride west to Bilbao, a city with an industrial past and current home to the iconic Guggenheim museum. From here the riding gets wild, with an attempt to climb Monte Oiz (featured in the Vuelta España) & a rolling ride along the Costa Verde to finish the week.
CYCLING ITINERARY
Day 1:
Arrival in San Sebastian
Warm up ride, Monte Igeldo
Day 2:
San Sebastián, Zarautz, Getaria, 103 km, 2,300 m
Day 3:
Jazikibel & Aritxulegi, 125 km, 2,600 m
Make it epic: Col de Lizurniaga, Col de Palomeras, 35 km
Day 4:
San Sebastian – Mungia, 140 km, 2,800 m
Day 5:
Muntibar & Monte Oiz, 90 km, 2,000 m
Make it epic: Arrate, additional 50 km, 1,000 m
Day 6:
Costa Verde & Sollube, 80 km, 2,000 m
Day 7:
Departure from Bilbao
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?
Yes!
Our Tour of the Basque Country is designed for ‘Intermediate’ and ‘Advanced’ riders with optional extensions for riders who want to challenge themselves further, as well as options to shorten the rides for those who need to. To best enjoy the tour riders should be comfortable riding 100 kms. The terrain is rolling and, whilst there are no extended climbs, it is notoriously tough. Training for the tour is recommended.
MAP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- THE COSTA VERDE
- PINTXOS IN SAN SEBASTIAN
- MONTE OIZ
- ARITXULEGI
BASQUE COUNTRY TOUR INFORMATION
RIDE SUPPORT
Full Support
The ride is fully-supported by an Eat Sleep Cycle staff crew, guiding you on the road and in an Eat Sleep Cycle vehicle.
Our support staff are experienced professionals from all walks of life united by a love of cycling. They’ll take care of everything; keeping you and your bike in tip top condition throughout the tour.
All you have to do is Eat, Sleep, Cycle.
Quick Facts
- THE BASQUE LANGUAGE HAS 7 DIFFERENT DIALECTS
- THERE ARE NEARLY 40 MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY
- THE CLÁSICA SAN SEBASTIAN IS A WORLD TOUR BIKE RACE WHICH STARTED IN 1981
FOOD & ACCOMMODATION
Full Board
Breakfast, lunch and 4 evening meals are included on the tour and we work with the restaurants to ensure it’s exactly what you need to keep you fueled on the road.
Enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel each morning. Lunch is a roadside picnic served by the support crew. In between meals stay energised with ride nutrition – fresh fruit, nuts, energy bars etc.
Dinner in the evening is a chance to indulge in and savour Basque Cuisine. There are 4 evening meals included in the tour at our hotel and our favourite restaurants in Bilbao & San Sebastian. On the other two evenings guests are free to explore each city – we can recommend some perfect places to soak up the culture.
Basque Hospitality
We’ve hand-picked the best 4* hotels in the region, each with a unique identity, exemplary service & attention to detail.
Stay in the modern NH collection hotel in San Sebastian, and in Palacio Urgioti in the countryside surrounding Bilbao.
BIKE HIRE
Bike Hire
Benefit from a 10% discount on any Eat Sleep Cycle bike hire as part of this package.
Choose from a Ridley, designed in cycling’s heartland of Belgium, or a state-of-the-art Factor bike. All our bikes are supplied with compact 50-34 chainsets & 11-32 cassettes.
Our Bikes
FACTOR O2
- State-of-the-art lightweight frameset
- Black Inc. carbon wheels & finishing kit
- Shimano Ultegra Di2
RIDLEY FENIX SL 105
- Carbon Frame
- Shimano 105 11-speed
- Forza RC23 wheelset
RIDLEY FENIX DISC
- Disc Brake Road Bike
- Carbon Frame
- Shimano Ultegra 11-speed
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- DTSwiss R24 DB wheelset.
RIDLEY HELIUM X
- Carbon Frame
- Shimano Ultegra 11-speed
- Forza RC23 wheelset
TRIP SUMMARY
Trip dates
21st – 27th June 2020
Available as a custom tour
On demand for groups
Price Per Head
€2,999*
Single Supplement €499
Travel Logistics
Meet point: Meet at San Sebastian train station on Day 1 of the tour at 12 noon or make your own way to the hotel to meet at 13:00.
Departure: Guests will be transferred to Bilbao Airport for 12 noon on the last day of the tour.
What's Included?
Cycling: Fully guided and supported.
Accommodation: 4* Hotels
Food: Breakfast, Lunch & 4 evening meals
Bike Hire: Optional
Transfers: Group transfers as described
Group Bookings
Groups of 6 or more riders: can opt to make a tour private and choose their own dates.
Groups of 8 or more riders: can benefit from a 5% discount.
Payment
Deposit: a 50% deposit will secure your place on the tour.
Balance: the outstanding balance is due 2 months in advance of the tour.
WHY EAT SLEEP CYCLE?
EXCELLENT LOCATION
Our home in Girona, Spain, gives us unique access to remarkable people and places, allowing us to create world class cycling tours.
EXPERT GUIDES
Our guides are experts in cycling, travel & hosting world class tours. We recruit professionals from all walks of life who love to ride.
5 STAR REVIEWS
You’ll be back!
98% of our guests say they’ll come back to Eat Sleep Cycle for another tour.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Ride with Eat Sleep Cycle and enjoy the best roads, landscapes & cultural experiences thanks to our knowledge.
