THE TEAM
The Transpyr route had been on my mind for a while, so when I received a message from Martí earlier this year proposing we do it this summer, I couldn’t say no. Within two hours, we had already locked in our dates. A few days later, I asked Joan if he wanted to join us, and to my surprise, he was already planning to do the Transpyr with Pere, Alexia, Bet, and Santi. Since we had everything set, they decided to join our plan.
THE ROUTE
We crafted a challenging route across the entire Pyrenees Mountain Range—from left to right, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, from Hondarribia to Cap de Creus. We planned to cover 1,069 kilometers and climb 22,090 meters in just six stages. This was going to be a massive challenge, especially since we carried everything we needed: clothes, tools, and spare parts, making our bikes 8-9 kg heavier. We weren’t racing, so we rode at a comfortable pace, taking breaks to eat and cool down from the heat. Our accommodations were pre-booked, so each day we had to reach our destination, no matter what.
Luck was on our side with the weather. We only encountered a couple of hours of rain, and while there were moments when the heat was intense, the rivers and fountains we found along the way provided much-needed relief.
Despite some setbacks—from mechanical issues to bouts of illness—I have to say I’m incredibly happy with the team we formed. Everyone contributed to the journey in their own way, and without each of them, the experience would have been entirely different. The group’s attitude was amazing; everyone was focused on thinking as a team and staying positive, which made the whole trip surprisingly easy and a lot of fun. Which I really love, because thats how the best experiences and memories are created.
The route could be divided into two distinct parts. The first half was lush and green, with an abundance of water. But as we reached Sort, the landscape transformed—the greens faded into yellows, and the air became drier and warmer until we got closer to the Mediterranean, when the humidity returned.
The first three days were the most remote and breathtaking, with winding roads that seemed lost to time. Even in August, we rarely encountered cars. We passed through small towns, where we were fortunate to find a bar or a tiny supermarket to grab some food.
Though we would have loved to stay in Cadaqués, the last town on our route, everything was booked by the time we planned our trip. Instead, we hired a boat taxi to take us to Empuriabrava, about 30 km south. I couldn’t imagine a better way to end this adventure—a peaceful boat ride across the calmest sea, with the colors of a warm sunset beginning to paint the sky.
Looking back, we realised it would have been wise to include a rest day, to catch up on sleep and enjoy a relaxing swim in the river. We all finished in one piece, but a day off would have made the experience even more enjoyable.
One of the coolest things about the Transpyrenees is that even if we do it again, we can choose from so many different climbs and mountain passes that we’d only repeat a few. The adventure is never the same twice.
And las but not least, thanks to everyone who came to visit us along the way, helped or supported us in any way!
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
STAGE 3
STAGE 4
STAGE 5
STAGE 6
