Tour of the Basque Country

SIGNATURE

Duration-Eat-Sleep-Cycle-European-Bike-Vacation

6 NIGHTS

COMFORT

Level-Three-Eat-Sleep-Cycle-European-Cycling-Tour

LEVEL 3

Distance-Eat-Sleep-Cycle-European-Bike-Tour

588 KM

Elevation-Eat-Sleep-Cycle-European-Bike-Holiday

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

Eat-Sleep-Cycle-Tour-of-the-Basque-Country-Map-Cycling-Tours-Europe

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

2021 Trip dates

4th – 10th July

Available as a custom tour

On demand for groups

Price Per Head

€2,999*

Single Supplement €499

Ready to Ride?

Ask Us A Question

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.

“

Very helpful shop that we discovered almost by accident. They will be arranging my next trip in October 2017.
Ken Peters

“

I loved traveling with ESC and would book another trip with them - for sure! The emphasis was about having fun and achieving our goals as a group. The guides were safe, easy to get to know and encouraging throughout the rides. The support was amazing! We had plenty of food, snacks and drinks along the ride and Lee and his team were totally accommodating to riders of all levels. The hotels were great and meals excellent.
C.S