Cycling gastro tour of Basque Country

Cycling, drinking, good food... Fun!

One of our specialities is putting together great cycling rides with the best hotels and restaurants experiences. We can fully customize cycling tours adapting to our customers needs.

Amazing landscapes, solitaire roads

Of course we can do that in Catalonia, our home, but also we can do it in Basque Country, one of the leading destinations when talking about the best food all over the world. No wonder in Basque Country are 3 restaurants in top 100 restaurants in the world (year 2015): Arzak, Berasategui and Mugaritz.

Vineyards in La Rioja

But that's not all. Basque Country means good food even in not that famous restaurants. Some "pintxos" on San Sebastian old town are not to be missed, driking some "zuritos" (small glass of beer). Also worth a visit the local restaurants called "Sidrerías", manufacturers of Cider (Sidra), where you can have a fantastic menu based on cod omelette, "churrasco". No chance to have different food! Any other local drinks? Of course, taste Txakolí, the low alcohol, slightly efervescent regional white wine.

Grapes about to be collected

And what about wine? In our trips we also include a visit to "La Rioja alavesa". Demanding climbs as La Herrera ("Rioja balcony") can also be included in the stages. But also easy roads, rolling hills to enjoy solitaire roads among the vineyards. In the evening we include some visit to the best wineries.

SAMPLE PROGRAM

Day 1 Arrival to Hondarribia. Dinner at San Sebastian

Day 2 Hondarribia-Hondarribia 98 km (climbing Jaizkibel). Dinner at Arzak/Mugaritz

Day 3 Transfer by car to Alsasua, Alsasua-Elciego 94 km Dinner at Laguardia

Day 4 Elciego-Elciego 63 km (climbing La Herrera) Dinner at Elciego

Day 5 Transfer to Irurzun, Irurzun-Mugaire 65 km. Lunch at Venta de Ultzama

In this program you will be able to enjoy many different landscapes. From the coastal roads close to San Sebastian (the climb to Jaizkibel cannot be missed), to the woods in Navarra, and also small roads among vineyards in La Rioja. 

A unique experience. 

Here you can read some of the reviews of our customers doing this trip:
 

"I contacted Claudio to arrange a 4 day cycling tour in the Basque. We were four couples with different cycling experiences and were interested in cycling, experiencing the local culture, especially the food and wine. I sent Claudio an article from Bon Appetite describing a 3 day trip, eating and drinking in the Basque. His immediate response and enthusiasm for helping put together a wonderful experience was amazing. Hotels, restaurants, arrival pick up, cycling stages, transfers, dinners and lunches were are carefully thought out. It is not an easy task to move 8 people, luggage, and bikes thru four days! That said, I must comment on the cycling...we received kits, bike fitting (great bikes) tee shirts and hats. All four stages were printed out with distance and climbing gradients so we knew what to expect. Always Claudio, or Jon, our Basque connection and expert cyclist, as well Andoni, who drove our sag and made delicious lunches as well as captured amazing moments with his camera for us. To say this trip was incredible does not describe its entirety. The terrain alone is worth the visit! More beautiful than Tuscany...uncanny light and beautiful vistas. Each days stage was planned to see the most beautiful views in the Basque. We ended our trip with a lunch at a local restaurant that served a traditional Basque meal with the wines and a unique dessert local to the region. Toasting each other's accomplishments, exchanging gifts and laughs and promising to ride again with these guys! Spectacular trip....every detail, however minor, was well attended, even chamois cream and an adapter! Thank you, Claudio, Jon and Andoni!

"My wife and I joined 3 other couples from the US to cycle Basque Country for four days. What an amazing time we had cycling and enjoying all the local culture! If you are considering a cycle trip in Spain, look no further than Claudio at Montefusco Cycling. The 8 of us converged in Hondarribia from various areas where Claudio, Jon, and Andoni transferred us to our first hotel. Every detail of the trip was well planned from the set-up of our bikes and route planning to guided tours of notable areas and restaurants in the region. The scenery we experienced was truly amazing as we were guided by Jon who was our expert ride leader. The routes were well planned with Andoni greeting us after a challenging section with a SAG van for a wonderful lunch. In between the SAG stops Andoni (a professional photographer) documented our journey with photographs that will be cherished. Thank you Claudio, Jon, and Andoni for producing an exceptional cycling experience in Basque and creating memories of a lifetime!"

 

"We recently made a tour in the Basque region of Spain with Montefusco Cycling which far exceeded our expectations. Most of the riders were very experienced and looking to do some serious climbing, my wife and I were new to this but in pretty good shape. Claudio and his team provided us with a beautiful and challenging (to say the least) collection of rides. At all times we felt safe and at every stop we were treated with provisions including much needed energy supplements. The hotels were great but Claudio, Jon and Adoni made the trip. Jon was the local expert and Adoni is a professional photographer who not only drove the support van but provided us with a collection of incredible photographs of our week.
If you want a safe, uncrowded, beautiful cycle trip in a place with fantastic views, excellent food and a good time with some great guides I cannot give a higher recommendation than one for Montefusco. If you are thinking of such a trip, in the words of Jon (incredible cyclist) at every stop "Let's GO."

Amazing restaurants in Basque Country