Girona Cycling Company - Banyoles
Entry Detail
Summary
Introduction
Winner “Best State of the Art Coaching Award” – Triathlon Plus April 2013, Girona Cycling was set up by Fiona Smart and Gareth Speechley, and celebrated its 10th year of welcoming guests in 2016.
Fiona is a neurophysiologist, sports injury & massage therapist, and a core strength & conditioning coach for endurance athletes, whilst Gareth is an expert cycling and triathlon coach and bike set up specialist.
Girona Cycling provide luxury bespoke training for the best sports science based training week. Their luxury camps are suitable for individuals and small groups and welcome all levels from elites to beginners.
You will receive a personal training plan for the week prior to and following your stay. Lectures are available covering training, new innovative training aids and nutrition.
Training camps vary in duration, anything from a weekend 10-day camps or longer. Training sessions are varied and comprehensive, including technique and under water video analysis for swimmers, cornering, descending, ascending, efficient peddling, maintaining momentum, bike set up and maintenance for cyclists and video analysis, run technique and efficiency for runners. In addition, muscle balance assessments, breathing techniques and race techniques are covered. Nutrition and hydration while racing and training is also covered. For triathletes, there is a session to practise your transitions.
Travel
By Air; Girona 35 km Barcelona (BCN) 115 km
Transfers can be arranged
By train; High speed TGV station in Figueres 20 minute drive. Direct trains from Paris taking 5 hours.
Car Hire: To redeem your Special Discount via our partners, Rhino Car Hire, click here ….
Places of Interest
Your training packages can be arranged around your requirments. For some this may include immersing yourselves into the local culture. You can visit Salvador Dali Museum and Castle, Greek and Roman cities at Empuries, National Parks of Garrotxa and Cap de Creus and the beautiful historic towns and villages of Besalu, Rupit and Beget (Pyrenees).
There is also the local wine growing region were you can enjoy wine tasting or a wine tour.
Day trips to Barcelona and other local cities can be arranged.
This region of Spain also has many festivals throughout the year including the Girona flower festival, the Crespia honey festival, the Besalu Medieval festival, the Calcot festival. For the more unusual you could also experience the Snail festival, the Cheese festival, or the pumpkin festival.
Accommodation
Accommodation
Mas Pelegri is a custom designed 3* sports hotel and training centre, catering for both individuals and groups. It holds a maximum of 45 people.
Mas Pelegri facilities include a media room, Wi-Fi (updated in 2015), gym, 25 metre pool, jacuzzi, bike room, bike washing station and a laundry room. It is run on an ecological basis, with everything being kept as 'green' as possible.
All meals are freshly cooked, with a strong emphasis on both fresh and local produce, and designed for the endurance athlete.
Facilities
Cycling
CYCLING - ROAD
This is an area of beautiful scenery and well maintained roads, which is why it is the training ground of the Pros. Cycling is a national sport so drivers appreciate cyclists. Both the Pyrenees and the Garrotxa Volcanic National Park,are nearby, giving you two 1000 metre climbs only 10kms from the door, Rocacorba and El Mont. The Valter 2000 metre ski station is only 80 km away .
Girona Cycling has a library of routes, both maps and GPS downloads. The foothills of the Pyrenees are within a 20 minute ride from Mas Pelegri, giving you all sorts of possible training rides depending on fitness and training schedule.
CYCLING - MTB
For mountain bikers, there are single tracks, river beds, gravel trails and technical descents all within easy reach, including 1000m descents around the volcanoes.
see Girona Cycling, Introduction
BIKE RENTAL
- Ultra-lights carbon fiber road bikes fitted with ultegra components, front suspension mountain bikes and Garmins
Swimming
Mas Pelegri boasts its own 25 metre pool,with 3 lanes, as well as water running belts, pull buoy, kick boards, and lane ropes.
There are two 25 metre pools in Banyoles, as well as a 50 metre pool in Girona 20 km away.
For Open Water swimming, Banyoles lake is 5km away or the Mediterranean 40 minutes' drive away.
Running
The surrounding area has a myriad of gorgeous off-road trails down to the lake, along the river Fluvia and up into the Volcanoes. Marked long mountain marathon length routes are available, as are GPS routes. In addition, there are 400m tartan tracks in Olot and Girona and a 320 metre cinder track in Banyoles, runnig alongside the picturesque lake.
Gym
Fiona and Gareth have set up a small but well equipped gym, designed specifically for cyclists, triathletes, runners and swimmers. It includes free weights, swiss balls, Bosu, balance boards, kettle bells, mats and medicine balls, as well as turbo trainers, Lemond trainer and rollers.
Coaching
Winner “Best State of the Art Coaching Award” – Triathlon Plus April 2013
Fiona gained her PhD. at Cambridge University, in the UK. Following her PhD she went to TSRI, La Jolla USA, to research synaptic plasticity for 6 years. With a thorough understanding in the body's physiology and also with her speciality in neurophysiology this enables her to have a more scientific approach to the coaching of cycling and triathlon.
Gareth started running at age 11 and after an injury moved to cycle racing at 16. He has raced throughout Europe, Australia and the USA on the road, the velodrome and in mountain bike events. He has represented his country in duathlon and triathlon at age group level. Gareth is an expert cycling coach, bike set up guru, a Level 2 Triathlon Coach and a qualified first-aider.
Training sessions
Training sessions include;
Swim technique and under water video analysis.
Bike training sessions will cover cornering, descending, ascending, efficient peddling, maintaining momentum and bike set up and maintenance.
Run sessions will include video analysis, run technique and efficiency for longer runs.
Transition from swim-bike and bike-run practise.
Muscle balance assessments, breathing techniques, injury prevention, dietary analysis, discussions on training aids, discussions on race technique.
Expert MTB mountain bike guides and coaches are available on either an hourly or daily rate.
Packages
Girona Cycling Company is open all year round so if you do not want to participate in one of their set camps you can discuss your own requirements with them and build your own camp.
Cycling, Triathlon and Running Self Guided Packages These packages include B&B, route maps, GPS downloads and emergency back-up. Pricing is dependent on room size. Return airport transfers, massages and 3 course evening dinners can be booked as extras. For cycling and triathlon packages, Swift carbon road bike with ultegra components & Garmins are available for hire. In July and August there is a 10% increase in the nightly room rate unless you are staying for 1 week from Saturday to Saturday Self-Guided Packages 
Cycling and Triathlon; everything is customized to your requirements with an all-inclusive price. This package includes; airport transfer, cycling with a knowledgeable guide, sumptuous cuisine, complete sports nutrition and hydration while cycling, massages and trips to places of historic, artistic & natural interest. Pricing depends on the number of people per guide. SwiftCarbon attack road bikes with ultegra components and Garmins are available for rent. Running; there is usually one coach or guide per 1 or 2 guests so you can run at their own level. This Luxury package is customised to your requirements and can include a Dali & Gaudi tour, a wine tour and/or a historic tour. At certain times of year, there is the option to compete in a local event Luxury Packages 
Photos (25)
Reviews
13
Reviewed by Indoali
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:40
Comments: We stayed in a 3 bedroom room in august 2015. The booking process was organised and any questions promptly responded to.
During our stay Fiona and Gareth went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable and to fit in the activities we wanted to do, in a relaxed, but informed manner.
Cycling equipment well serviced and good short family friendly routes available locally, not always easy to follow though.
Lovely swimming pool, with good coaching available (wish I had taken advantage of this earlier in the week) Horse riding and lessons available, which were of an excellent standard.
Only downside, due to Fiona, Gareth and team efforts in the kitchen...and lovely 3 course suppers, we all managed to put on weight....
Would not hesitate to recommend this as a great relaxed, family location, with plenty of activities easily accessible. In a beautiful area of Catalan.
Reviewed by Brent
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:15
Comments: Fiona and Gareth made organising a long weekend cycling with friends a breeze. They organised transfers, bike hire and routes for us. All done with no fuss and excellent advice. The property is fantastic with large rooms, great cycling facilities and a huge 25m pool. The location is also great with lots of rides straight out the door - we did 175km up to into the Pyrenees, 150km to the coast and back and a couple of shorter rolling loops. GPX files for our Garmins and excellent maps with turn by turn directions were all included. All-in, highly recommended for cycling groups and also looks great for families in the summer
Reviewed by Lee
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:45
Comments: Gareth and Fiona are exceptional hosts. Whether you stay with them to relax or to ride your bike, they will offer a friendly, flexible and professional service. The accommodation is beautiful, the location is perfect, the services and facilities are faultless. I would always choose to base myself here with or without my bike.
Reviewed by Jan
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:13
Comments: Stayed for a Triathlon Camp week at the end of September. What a fantastic location (weather wasn't half bad as an added bonus) Gareth and Fiona were top class hosts and really helpful with training tips in all the disciplines. Accommodation is lovely and the rides around the Girona countryside were not only spectacular but also good surfaces and low levels of traffic. Gareth pushed but not to the point that it wasn't enjoyable. Had a great week and would recommend to anyon
Reviewed by Simon
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:32
Comments: This was our second visit and equally as enjoyable as the first. A beautiful building located in stunning surroundings, Mas Pelegri is an ideal base for triathlon training, as well as on/off road biking with many varied, and if you want, challenging route options. Gareth and Fiona are exceptional hosts, very responsive, knowledgeable and go above and beyond to make sure all their guests have a great experience. I would recommend Mas Pelegri for both groups and/or couples or individuals looking for an activity based vacation or training stay. Its very easy to fit in and meet liked minded guests. We enjoyed great company on both our stays. It's possible to go hard on challenging workouts if that's what you want, or alternatively enjoy more leisurely riding and/or just relax by the pool in picturesque surroundings. Most days we enjoyed a pre-breakfast swim in the on-site lap pool, breakfast prepared by our hosts, then individually tailored rides followed by varied run workouts. All capped off with beer, wine and dinner prepared by Gareth and Fiona. Perfect days
Reviewed by Karen
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:18
Comments: Karen Thibodeau - Professional Ironman Triathlete - I am fortunate enough to have had two extended stays at Mas Pelegri. My purpose of stay was training related however, given the breath taking scenery, epic cycling rides and beautiful accommodations it could have easily been mistaken as a luxury vacation.
I have cycled in many places worldwide and the location of Mas Pelegri, which is situated on the foot hills of the Pyrenees, is hands down the best training- in terms of scenery, challenge and tranquility from traffic. You can be out the door and riding on quite roads within minutes.
The small town, Banyolas, only 10 minutes away, offers a feel of real Catalina living. Since it has not been over run by tourism, you get the privilege of experiencing the true culture. Usually this experience comes with the price of not having access to modern training facilities, however Banyoles is unique in that it has two quality pools to train in, as well as, a beautiful lake. There are endless trail runs and a dirt track the surrounds the lake. (Lined with coffee shops-to meet caffeine needs)
The family that runs the Mas Pelegri are willing to help in any way to accommodate individual needs. They have a first-hand understanding of the needs of athletes, of all levels, as well as families.
I have had the privilege of receiving expert coaching from the owners, which has allowed me to reach my current level of competition as a professional triathlete. I would recommend, a short or long term training vacation at Mas Pelegri to anybody looking for a quite get away or a prefect cycling or triathlon training facility. I look forward to returning every year
Reviewed by Charles
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:57
Comments: I spent a week at Mas Pelegri, where the weather (in the last week of February) was brilliant: almost unbroken blue sky, and warm enough to be in a short sleeve jersey in the daytime. The location is brilliant, with a mass of recommended rides to suit a variety of abilities or stamina, across terrain ranging from high mountains to flatter valleys nearer the coast. For me the highlight was a 100-mile day ride across the Pyrenees into France and back.
My room was very comfortable, there was always ample hot water for bath or shower, and the sheets were crisp and fresh.
Gareth and Fiona are excellent hosts, very friendly and helpful, providing evening meals on demand (there are not many local restaurants, and the only one I tried to get into had quirky opening times...). Gareth provided me with recommended rides each day, which enabled me to explore the local area in each direction. The Spanish have built a large number of wide, smooth surfaced roads, which seem to be largely empty: basically a cyclist's paradise!
Reviewed by Regina
On 14-Feb-2016 07:0:29
Comments: My husband and I recently stayed at Mas Pelegri, and absolutely loved it. Fiona and Gareth(the owners) are wonderful hosts, willing to accommodate any request. We stayed in a room with with a private bath and access to a lovely patio. Meals provided by the owners were amazing and they had excellent knowledge of the area for recommendations. The grounds of the house are beautiful and it was very quiet and peaceful. Our accommodations were setup through Equestrian Escapes as part of a horseback riding tour. The stables are about 1 km from Mas Pelegri. The swimming pool provided a refreshing workout and there are many running routes that travel nearby. Overall, we cannot wait to go back
Reviewed by Maria Anne
On 15-Jun-2015 20:1:55
Comments: I recently stayed at Mas Pelegri with a group of friends for a cycling trip and I couldn't recommend this place more. We found Gareth and Fiona excellent hosts, from the expert bike coaching to the fab home cooking. The local roads provide superb cycling territory, and plenty to visit in the area too, including a great "rest day" hiking in the nearby national park.
Reviewed by Gary
On 15-Jun-2015 20:1:07
Comments: We've just returned from a 5 days cycling training camp at Mas Pelegri. The location, a lovingly restored farm house, set in its own extensive grounds, is perfect for both families and activity seeking groups, with a focus on Triathlon and Cycling.
The owners and hosts, Gareth and Fiona, have paid a great deal of attention to ensuring everyone gets something from their holiday, being able to train cycling novices to supporting pro squads.
The focus can be both individual, specific training programs through to supporting group/club activities.
In five days we cycled through the high Pyrenees, Coastal routes and covered all aspects of training programs. Gareth expertly coached us to improve our cycling techniques as well as covering nutrition necessary for long endurance rides. The gym session with Fiona were challenging and a great deal of fun; her sports massages we’re well needed.
I cannot recommend Mas Pelgri enough if you want to improve your cycling techniques and overall fitness in an excellent location with great food and wine. We will be back!
Reviewed by Kevin
On 15-Jun-2015 20:1:36
Comments: The house we stayed in was absolutely brilliant, the rooms were luxurious, homely, comfortable, unbelievably clean (they were cleaned everyday, credit has to go to the cleaners) and a joy to stay in.
Gareth and Fiona are absolutely brilliant and cannot do enough to ensure your stay is as good as it can be. They do everything they can to make your experience as good as possible and work tirelessly, sourcing the perfect cycling route for you to ride, cooking the meals in the kitchen, finding a spare bit for your bike etc..
All in all, a great place and a phemononal expierence. Thanks!
Reviewed by Frankfurt
On 15-Jun-2015 20:1:47
Comments: I stayed at Mas Pelegri for the first time at the beginning of March with the intention of getting my cycling mojo back after a long winter. The house is in a beautiful rural location and well positioned for accessing the foothills of the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava. As soon as you arrive you can tell that the hosts Fiona and Gareth have invested all their time and energy into making this the perfect sanctuary for a sporting retreat.
I was a little apprehensive about riding alone but Gareth provided me with tours each day, uploaded them a Garmin GPS device and gave me some excellent tips for dining en route. I been to most of the cycling hotspots around the Mediterranean over the past 15 years and his area provides more diverse and challenging tours, better road quality and traffic-free tranquility than all the rest.
Eco-friendly: It's an environmentally-friendly property whose managers go to great lengths to save water and energy
Reviewed by Ivor
On 15-Jun-2015 20:1:01
Comments: My stay at Mas Pelegri was warm, comfortable and I definitely fell in love with the house, its location and appeal. You can tell a lot of love has gone into making this place a home away from home. The hosts are welcoming, take care of you and there is a general family feeling that makes you feel at ease from the moment you arrive. It is certainly a place to stay at time and time again. The region is beautiful, easily accessible and there is something for everyone to do around Mas Pelegri.
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