Catalonia with Ben Delaney

A Spanish spectacle
◆ Climbing: Hilly7 Days / 6 Nights
From
$9950
Dates
11–17 October 2026
Group Size
8 - 14
Lead Guide
Manuel Cardoso
EAT

Fresh-caught sardines grilled over open coals, suquet de peix simmered with local catch and saffron, anchovies from L’Escala, grilled razor clams with alioli, seafood fideus from the harbour, artisan breads baked in the village’s own stone oven.

DRINK

Priorat reds from our neighboring vineyards, Penedes Cava poured at every celebration, natural wines from Montsant, Ratafia with postre, espresso from our La Marzocca, and nightly Estrella Damm at golden hour.

About This Trip

The pro’s playground.

For 25 years, Ben Delaney has been one of cycling’s most trusted voices. He has covered the Tour de France from the press car, tested more bikes than arguably anyone alive, and built a career on knowing exactly what makes a great ride. This October, he brings all of that to Catalonia.

And Catalonia has plenty to reward the curious.

Girona is where half the professional peloton keeps an apartment, and the reasons are obvious: the climate, the climbing, the culture. But this trip goes well beyond the city limits. Over six days of riding, we’ll take in the whitewashed fishing villages of the Costa Brava, the wild headlands of Cap de Creus, the ruins of a 9th-century Benedictine monastery, and some of the most varied terrain in all of Spain, from the foothills of the Pyrenees down to the shimmering Mediterranean.

Off the bike, Catalonia more than holds its own. Fresh-caught sardines and suquet de peix. Anchovies from L’Escala. Cold Cava poured at the right moment. Roman history around every corner, and some of the best restaurant tables in southern Europe waiting at the end of each day.

Ben will be riding it all alongside you, seeing it through fresh eyes and sharp ones. That combination tends to make for a very good week.

Travelling with a Non-Rider?

Borgolecchi is a destination in itself. Non-riding companions can enjoy a full programme of cultural experiences, relaxation, and Tuscan exploration while you’re on the bike.

Available Activities
Cooking Classes
Wine Tastings
Nearby Walking Tours
Massage & Wellness
Truffle Hunting
Olive Oil Tour
Pool & Gardens
Meet Your Host

BEN DELANEY

Your host for the week is Ben Delaney, one of cycling’s most recognizable voices for the better part of 25 years. As a journalist, editor, and YouTuber, he has covered everything from the Tour de France to the gravel backroads of Colorado, and tested more bikes than he can probably count. Ben is the kind of person who will spend dinner debating tire pressures, pull away on a climb with a grin on his face, and make sure the conversation never has a dull moment. Knowledgeable without being precious, and genuinely good company on and off the bike.

KEY FIGURES

Trip at a Glance

Total Distance
512
Total Elevation
6328
Riding Days
6
Start / Finish
Barcelona
Longest Day
Day 5 – 116km
Biggest Climb Day
Day 5 – 1,476m
DIFFICULTY RATING
Climbing: Hilly

Routes with genuine climbing and rewarding descents. You'll work for the views, but nothing here requires a granny gear. A satisfying day in the saddle for cyclists who enjoy a bit of punch in their rides.

What's Included?

Everything you need,
nothing you don’t

Europe's finest hotels

Stay in the stunning locations that we know and love, and spent years finding.

Pinarello Dogma F with SRAM RED AXS

The latest DOGMA F engineered for any road, equipped with the lightest electronic groupset available. E-bike option also available.

All Meals & Beverages

Every breakfast, lunch and dinner — from handmade pasta to Fiorentina steak grilled while you watch. Wine, espresso and aperitivi included.

Airport Transfers

Pick-up from Porta Romana (10:30) or Florence Airport (11:00). Drop-off arranged on departure day at 8:30am.

Custom Q36.5 × inGamba Kit

High-tech performance meets luxury for the optimal riding experience with our Custom 36.5 kit.

Daily Post-Ride Massage

Professional soigneurs with peloton experience ease sore muscles and prepare you for the next day.

Daily Bike Wash & Maintenance

Five mechanics work meticulously to ensure your Pinarello is race-ready every single morning of your trip.

Daily Cycling Laundry Service

Don't worry about chores whilst you're away, all cycling kit is cleaned overnight, so it’s fresh, dry and ready to go each morning.

Custom luggage

Make use a beautiful day bag from Ideal & Co. Yours to keep after the trip.

Fuelling is taken care of

Fill your pockets with fresh snacks, or make use of an entire Enervit collection.

Not Included
Flights
Guide Gratuities
Beverages Beyond Group Activities
Pre/Post-Trip Lodging
Travel Insurance
Day By Day

Your Week In Catalonia

¡Bienvenido a España! This short loop should give you an introduction to the area and whet your appetite for the week to come. Your bike should be perfectly set up, but if there’s an issue, now is the best time to speak to your mechanic.

Lunch Dinner

We’ll climb through lush woodlands on quiet roads towards the Santuari dels Àngels. Heading west, it’s uphill again to Ermita de Sant Joan and then south through the Catalan Transversal Range.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Today’s route packs most of the climbing at the beginning. Our goal today is to see Cadaqués, a whitewashed fishing village on the Cap de Creus peninsula. Long before cyclists starting coming here, Cadaqués was a popular haunt for artists and writers, and many of the 20th century’s brightest talents were regular visitors. Regulars included Spain’s great poet Federico García Lorca and Pablo Picasso, while Salvador Dalí liked it so much that he built a home nearby.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

In today’s loop, we ride along flat roads until we reach our midpoint and climb to Muntanyes de Begur. The characteristic cliffs of this area provide a refuge for several rare, endemic Mediterranean plant and animal species. On our way north and back to L’Escala, we pass by Castell de Montgrí, which was built between 1294 and 1301 with cylindrical towers and sturdy 13m-high walls.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

This is going to be a long day in the saddle, but it promises to be a fun one too as we tackle more of the the Massís de l’Ardenya (aka Massís de Cadiretes) mountains, with three sizeable climbs to test your legs. Starting out south, there will be stunning views, and an opportunity to roll through La Bisbal d’Empordà, an ancient town that will give you some idea of Catalonia’s rich history and culture. The two biggest climbs will come in the second half of the ride, first to Romanyà de la Selva, and then another 6km climb to Santa Pellaia, where a couple of sections will exceed 10%.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

This loop starts and ends on flat terrain, with all of the day’s climbing coming right in the middle over two climbs on the Cap de Creus peninsula. The second, more challenging ascent will bring us up to the beautiful ruins of the Monasterio de Sant Pere de Rodes, a former Benedictine monastery that dates from the 9th century.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye, or at least arrivederci, until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations.

Breakfast
For dining: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Meet Your Guide
Manuel Cardoso

A National Champion

Manuel Cardoso is no longer sitting on the front of the pack, pulling everyone along at what some would describe as a “brisk” pace and what others are unable to describe at all, because they’re too busy gasping for breath and holding onto the wheel in front of them for dear life. Manuel is now sitting just slightly off the back of the pack. As I look back, I realize he has that look on his face. The look that struck fear in the hearts of the Pro Peloton for many years. Part grin, part mischievous child, and all business. He is about to start some shenanigans.

Sure enough, just a few kilometers later, Manuel has picked one lucky contestant out of the pack and they are sitting in, waiting like predators for the perfect moment. For Manuel, just like when he raced pro, this is when the road turns slightly up. A spot where it gets tough for everyone. And he accelerates with his breakaway “partner” in tow. He ramps it up to a speed with which no one can latch on, and with such precision you have to question whether you actually want to try and close the gap he has created. And you can’t see it, but you just know he is grinning from ear to ear.

"We're specifically trying to give our guests the closest experience of what it means to be in a pro team, at any speed."

The Pro Experience

A literal WorldTour service.

With years of experience in the professional peloton, our mechanics and soigneurs bring WorldTour-level care to every detail of your ride. Up to five mechanics work meticulously each day to ensure your Pinarello is perfectly tuned and adjusted for you alone—not just race-ready, but dialed to your precise preferences. Meanwhile, our soigneurs draw on their own experience as professional riders to anticipate your needs before you voice them: bottles filled and positioned exactly right, ride food prepared and timed to fuel you through the hardest climbs, post-ride massages that ease tired muscles, and the kind of quiet, confident support that prepares you mentally and physically for whatever the road brings next. This is the care that once belonged only to the pros. With inGamba, it’s yours.

Your Equipment

The finest bikes in cycling

Pinarello Dogma F

Pinarello Dogma F

Included in trip price
GRUPPO
SRAM RED AXS
TYRES
Vittoria Corsa N.Ext
COMPUTER
Garmin Edge 1040
WHEELS
Zipp 303 S Carbon
COCKPIT
MOST Talon Ultra
PEDALS
Speedplay
Pinarello Nytro Gravel

Pinarello Nytro Gravel

Available — additional fee
GRUPPO
SRAM RED eTap AXS
TYRES
Vittoria Corsa N.Ext
COMPUTER
Garmin Edge 1030
WHEELS
Zipp 303 S Carbon
COCKPIT
Zipp Service Course SL
PEDALS
E-Bike Assist
What Our Guests Say

Words from the road

Everything was first class. The team took excellent care of us, and the bikes were in perfect condition. I also liked the roads we travelled, views were stunning, rides were the right amount of “challenging”, and the encouragement from the guides was really great.

Betty I.Guest in 2025

"The whole experience is magical. The rides are stunning. The care and attention to detail is first class. The massages are a lifesaver."

Lyn K.Guest in 2018, 2019 & 2023

"The best in the industry. A once in a lifetime experience every time! The people that make inGamba are the reason you will want to travel with them again and again."

Victoria P.Guest in 2024
Dates & Pricing

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Single Supplement: $1,200 per person · Private Trips: Available on request for groups of 6+

Average Weather In Chianti
Apr
18°
70mm
May
23°
55mm
Jun
28°
35mm
Jul
31°
25mm
Aug
31°
40mm
Sep
26°
65mm
Oct
20°
85mm
Highlighted months indicate peak riding season · Temperatures in °C (highs)
FAQs

Am I fast enough?

Don't worry, this is our most asked question...

Guests of inGamba are passionate cyclists who love the sport and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Most of our community are experienced riders of all ages and various abilities, who appreciate great roads, fine food, and unforgettable company.

While everyone enjoys a challenge, no one’s chasing a pro contract here. Instead, the focus is on sharing incredible rides at a comfortable pace, soaking in the scenery, and enjoying the journey. You’ll find more “middle of the pack” and “social” riders than hard chargers at the front, and with our exceptional staff-to-guest ratio, every rider is fully supported, no matter their speed or style.

GET IN TOUCHREAD WHAT OUR GUESTS SAID...
Good to Know

Practical Details

Arrival & Departure:

Fly to: Barcelona
Pick-up: Barcelona Airport 11:00
Drop-off: Hotel departure 8:30am

We recommend arriving the night before. Our concierge can help with hotel recommendations.

Gratuties:

Gratuities are customary if you feel the staff delivered an exceptional experience. Most guests find 10-20% of the trip cost appropriate. All tips are split evenly among the entire team, as it’s often those behind the scenes who make each week truly special.

Cancellation & Protection:

We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your booking. View our cancellation policy →

Need to change dates? Contact us as early as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate.