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Girona, Spain

By christian meier Girona 25 January 2018

The medieval town of Girona has become a mecca for professional cyclists. Ex-pro Christian Meier – who rode professionally between 2005 and 2016 for the Symmetrics, Garmin–Chipotle p/b H30 and UnitedHealthcare and GreenEDGE teams – and his wife Amber originally opened coffee shop La Fabrica in Girona in March 2015, with sister shop Espresso Mafia opening the following year. They have now opened The Service Course, a full service shop specialising in custom trips in the Girona area with high end rental bikes, lockers and showers, massage, laundry and custom built bike sales.

Photo by Tristan Cardew

This loop takes in two of the biggest and most renowned climbs in the area, Mare de Deu del Mont and the Rocacorba. It is a loop that challenges but also delivers with incredible views and fantastic roads.

The Mare de Deu del Mont, with its on average gentle gradients is a memorable climb in the Pyrenees.  There are steeper sections on the climb – specifically in the last 2km – however the views down into the valley make the last section of hard work worth it. The Mare de Deu del Mont is open throughout the year weather dependent. There can be short term closures during Winter however these do not often last for more than a few days.

It is a loop that challenges but also delivers with incredible views and fantastic roads.

Photo by Tristan Cardew

The Rocacorba is an iconic climb used by enthusiasts and professionals alike. At 13.8km, with an average gradient of 6.5%, it is actually more challenging than you would expect it to be with the changing gradient making it hard to establish a rhythm. If you make it up to the top of the climb on a fine day you get treated with some spectacular views which makes the effort all worth while.

Photo by Tristan Cardew

The Service Course is in the heart of the cycling mecca that is Girona

Photo by Tristan Cardew

Owned by recently retired professional cyclist Christian Meier and his wife, Amber, The Service Course is in the heart of the cycling mecca that is Girona. A clear vision from Christian’s years in the world’s top echelon of the sport, The Service Course is everything he experienced while on the world’s best cycling teams. Along with their passion for the small details and emphasis on luxury, Christian and Amber are ready to give you a world class cycling experience. The Service Course specialises in custom trips in the Girona area with high end rental bikes, lockers and showers, massage, laundry and custom built bike sales.

Total distance: 145.62 km
Max elevation: 1089 m
Total climbing: 3290 m
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