Catalonia cycling tour: the nuts and bolts

BIKE HIRE In Montbrió del Camp, you can hire a bike (and guide) from Montbike (montbike.cat) – a wonderful bike shop with possibly the best coffee in Catalonia. It has professional mechanics and guides who know the region intimately and can help you craft a cycling itinerary based on your interests and fitness. A road racing-style bike will be perfect for this trip and costs about €27 (£24) per day; if you need a boost on the climbs (recommended for most people), e-bikes are available for about €39 per day. The prices go down for longer rentals. Guides are available for €150 per half-day and €200 for full-day excursions for groups of up to 10.

WINE ITINERARY & TRANSFER While you always have the option to carry your own luggage and make your own arrangements, cycling luggage-free is obviously a much more pleasant option. The bespoke travel company Travel Priorat (travelpriorat.com) can arrange transfers, winery tours and accommodation for you – as well as pick-up from the airport or train station – making for a hassle-free experience. Prices are based on the package you choose.

FITNESS An above-average level of fitness is useful, as is familiarity with riding longer distances on a bike. Overall, the daily distances are manageable, and even with frequent stops, you should arrive each day with time to visit the local attractions. If you’re using e-bikes, it’s essential that you charge your batteries each evening.

TERRAIN The landscape is hilly at nearly all times, so you will need fitness going up and concentration going down.