Cycling in Banyuls-sur-Mer

Cycling guide to Banyuls-sur-Mer

Riding from Banyuls-sur-Mer means heading inland and uphill almost straight away. The one route recorded here, 96 km to l'Estartit, climbs out of the town over the Col de Banyuls, passing the scattered mas holdings of Mas Reig, Mas Perotet, Mas Parer and Mas de Vallàuria before crossing from France into Spain at Espolla. Beyond the col the road drops onto the Empordà plain and the character changes: Mollet de Peralada, Masarac and Cabanes lead into Figueres, then Vilabertran, Vila-sacra, Fortià and Vilamalla follow in quick succession. The second half links a long chain of small settlements — Garrigàs, Sant Miquel de Fluvià, Ventalló, Viladamat, Albons and Bellcaire d'Empordà — before Ullà and Torroella de Montgrí bring the route back to the coast at l'Estartit. Total climbing is 642 m across 96 km, so the effort is concentrated in the opening kilometres.

Best time to ride

The route was ridden in September, in temperatures of 31°C — hot enough that an early start and plenty of water are worth planning for.

Terrain

The main climb begins at 4.9 km and runs 3.6 km at an average of 3.4%, with a maximum of 10.1% and a top at 169 m; the route's high point is 203 m. After that it is a rolling to flat crossing of the plain, with 642 m of gain over the full 96 km.