As I write this blog on 4th February, it is 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) in Girona.
There’s a clear blue sky and the warming sun is the perfect temperature for a bike ride. Of course, I have ridden my bike before writing this blog.
Having lived in Girona for 9 years, i´ve experienced 9 rounds of seasons and I´m amazed that the seasonality of cyclists visiting has not changed. Each year, April and May sees our bike rental fleet completely sold out, September the same. January to March, the Summer months of July and August and from October are much quieter.
What does the data say about the best Girona weather for riding a bike
First let’s start with the official facts about Girona´s weather. Google (originally NOAA) has provided the handy graphs below. As one would expect, the min and max temperatures rise from January, peaking in August and back down again to the end of the year.
If you are looking to skip rain, the data suggests that April and May are not actually the best months. Historically, May especially has been a wet month.
In terms of daylight, Summer of course has the most sunlight, up to 15 hours per day, but even in December and January there are a minimum of 9 hours of sunlight.
There are many reasons why this data should be taken with a pinch of salt. Firstly, we have the small issue of climate change and I challenge you to believe me that the climate in Girona has changed drastically over the last 9 years.
Right now, Girona is experiencing the worst drought in history, it has not rained, at all through the Winter. Bad for the environment but great for bike riding, the Winter months are becoming dryer and dryer.
With this of course comes more unpredictable weather, meaning it is not possible for us to guarantee to customers that it will not rain for their bike trip. After all, it needs to rain eventually!
Everyday through the year (almost) is guaranteed to be sunny
What the graphs also do not show is that there are more than 300 sunny days per year in Girona (Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona). In actual fact, it is rare to experience a grey cloudy day in Girona. Even if it does rain it is normally immediately followed by sunshine! So even in January and February, with the cooler mornings and evenings, the middle of the day is almost guaranteed to hit high teens. This is perfect riding weather!
Having lived in California, South America and originally from the UK, I have experienced riding year round in all sorts of weather. My personal favorite temperature is late teens (celsius) and sunny. It’s warm enough to ride arms and legs out but not too hot to impact your ride.
Plan your ride window around the weather
The last and important point is that in 9 years I can recall one or 2 days that were actually unrideable. If it has rained in the morning the afternoon is good for a ride or vice-versa. If it is cool in the morning, the afternoon is sunny and perfect for a ride.
In the Winter we ride in the middle of the day, in the Summer early in the morning and in the Spring/ Autumn all day is good around any forecasted rain.
Why am I writing this blog?
I want cyclists to realise that cycling in Girona in January, February, November and December can be as good if not better than April and May.
The hotels are cheaper, the city is less occupied by non-cyclist tourists, there are more pros around in their off season and in general there is a more relaxed feeling about the place.
Join one of our scheduled trips, book a self-guided package or opt for a custom trip! We have beautiful itinearies which you can enjoy all year around. Contact us for more information.
