Cycling Costa Daurada
Costa Daurada technically is a name of stretch of Mediterranean coast on the South of Catalonia. However commonly included are the areas along the coast with all their mountains and rivers, hills and vine fields. This area is top of the class cycling destination and we’ll tell you why.
Even for those who rightfully think that Spain is blessed with lots of sunshine, Costa Daurada stands out nicely. No it’s not like Andalucia but can boast massive amount of very stable and sunny weather when a little bit up North it can be raining. It is also few degrees warmer here which is very nice if you cycle in the winter or early spring or late autumn. Actually if you can tolerate some summer heat, this area is very much cycleable through the entire year.
TERRAIN
Well yes Catalonia is best known for the Pyrenees and their outskirts that's up North. But that in no way means that South is flat! In fact, Catalonia is generally massively mountainous land with barely and flat stretch except for some riverbeds. Southern Catalonia and Costa Daurada region is how to many many superb hills and passes. First there is coastal ridge that's basically goes along entire peninsula and mountains rise everywhere as you direct yourself from the coast to the inlands. Then there are couple of real gems. The Prades mountains is beautiful rocky range that boasts some nice climbs and lots of roads and endless climbing, where La Mussara climb stays apart as the iconic one for the locals. Then there are Sierra de Llaberia. And of course El Priorat - famous wine destination with some short but gruelling climbs.
QUALITY OF THE RIDE
Catalonia generally boasts - take my word - best road network for cycling in the world. Countless single line secondary roads with next to non-existing road traffic and maintained in excellent condition. Costa Daurada is no exception, and you can spend weeks riding different routes being based out of single point.
CUISINE
Cuisine is one of the best ways to explore any destination. Costa Daurada gets really serious in terms of food. It is defined by two things - seafood based coastline and more rural inlands that boast some totally top notch wines with some typical Catalan rural food. So cyclists do need a lot of calories and here you've got a great way to do that with gusto!
WINES
Let's be frank - most of us prefer some cold beer after the ride. But then there is this centuries old art and craft of wine making that produces delicious red substance that makes you tastebuds vibrate.
El Priorat is the wine region in Southern Catalonia know for it's wine and for it's nature based tourism - cycling and hiking alike. There only two DOQs (Dominacion de Origen Qualificada) in Spain - La Rioja and El Priorat. Rioja is a common place while Priorat is well kept secret. If you happen to ride here - make sure you go for a wine tasting lunch in family winery - a lifelong memory.
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