Wow - just stunning! Russ and Laura, you do a fabulous job filming and narrating your videos - I thoroughly enjoyed going along with you on this wonderful ride! Thank you!
Russ, buddy, a 2x drive train, friction shifting, and now this, a regular rear rack with panniers! You're just a couple of tires with tubes and a set of rim brakes away from telling people to get off your lawn! It looks fabulous, glad you guys are enjoying Spain so much.
My parents have a summer house in Sant Feliu de Guíxols and I have been riding there since I´m a child. I would highly recommend taking Sant Grau from Llagostera instead of the road to Tossa de Mar. Sant Grau views are just next level, super super fun and without traffic. It´s probably the most well known stretch and descent in that area of Costa Brava. The via verda from Sant Feliu to Girona (Carrilet) is flatish gravel because it's the old railway infrastructure ;) If you like exploring by foot, you will be happy to find that you have the Camins de Ronda along the coast. For examle, you can start in Sant Feliu and go all the way to France by foot along all the small beaches. Have fun! Cheers from Boulder, Colorado!
I did my first ever international bike trip in Catalonia last October, starting and ending in Barcelona. Your second day out of Tossa was the exact stretch I did on my second day, that windy coastal road is forever etched in my memory. This video makes me want to go back already!
I've used rear racks since the 70s on my general purpose drop bar bikes. I always find something to attach or strap on and they provide a fender in the wet. But i like rackpacking and will start using the term.Thanks for sharing your new life with us.
Rackpacking seems very innovative! Keep us updated. I really like the POV with a rider in front really shows off the speed and steepness better than just a handle bar shot. This is probably the first video you have made that makes me jealous of you being in Spain! Good mix of ride and tourism but not spoiling by showing every aspect of the ride.
Really enjoyable video. Nice job! Brings me back to our riding there last Spring. From Llagostera, we instead took 6821 to the coastal road. A nice winding climb among cork trees and NO traffic. The descent to the coastal road is fun and beautiful! I think you’d enjoy that route much more. Thanks again for the video. Please keep them coming.
Yeah, weekends are always super busy. And that entire coast all the way down to Alicante, is prime winter/spring training camp for roadies. And they’re extra motivated this week coz of the Tour Of Catalunya that’s happening now. Beautiful coastal views !!
Love your setup, Russ. You've followed a similar journey to myself (although you did it first!). Full 4 pannier, loaded touring to "bikepacking" bags, to small panniers. Funny how that progression goes. Finding the optimal space between packing styles. And if you need more space, then it's easy enough to add a drybag on top of the rack or go to a full framebag.... Add feedbags....
I had Tossa de Mar on my list to ride next month. My friend lives in Torroella de Montgri and I keep a bike at her house since I visit her often. I used to live in San Francisco, so hearing part of the ride is similar to Marin vibes makes it even more enticing. I am also looking forward to Spanish food--so good!
Thanks for taking us along it does get me pondering mini velo tours around my home town. Cheers for the ESI grips too, I managed to fit them using zip ties and a piece of dowel. They will remind me it's about the journey and not so much the destination 😀
My wife and I were lucky enough to be in Tossa in January 2019, the 6th I think when the big after Christmas festival is held. It went down the main street right under the balcony of the apartment we were staying in. Loved that town and the castle with the statue of Ava. Didn’t think of it as a cycling destination at the time. 🤷♂️
Nice! Best upload in a while. Dig the soundtrack too. Just watched the volta Catalunya and had Spain on the mind already. And another new one is when you put swift bags on a roadbike (like I've done fosho) it's called "fastpacking". Right on guys 👍
Nice setup, Laura. My gravel bike is similar to yours. The rack and mini pannier bags look cool, Russ but I still refuse to put a rack on my gravel bike lol.
Reminds me of a recent experience in Taiwan. The "famous" bike route 193 was pretty stressful, and that's in the offseason mid-week. Basically like a racetrack for motorized vehicles with little to no shoulder for bicycles. Whereas the residential and farm roads of the rift valley foothills were great, even if a little steep.
I am from Spain. Las Vias Verdes are abondoned old train tracks that have been converted to cyclist paths. Thats why they have chilled slopes and cut though farm land. A nice village in that area that should visit is Port de La Selva and Cadaqués. Although I am not sure what cyclist route you should take. Enjoy Spain, although you should also visit other areas, not only Catalonia.
Wow Those views are amazing! Spain is such a beautiful country. So hype to see/experience the evolution of your YT channel. Congrats on the move and looking forward to seeing more of your content. BTW your bike mirror is sooooo sweet! That’s thing is stylish and practical. Where can I buy one of those? Is there a brand? Thank you in advance.
awesome video and that trip looks amazing, prefect little trip other than the no shoulder/traffic spots. I just don't think I could do it , pretty sure the stress would outweigh the joy for me.
I rode a similar route from Girona to Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu just a few months ago, and took Sant Grau to get to Girona. Definitely reminded me a lot of the coastal riding here in the Bay Area. Funnily enough, I also went to the same cafe/bakery in Sant Feliu!
I did that ride last year at the end of October. I'm surprised you guys had so much road traffic, I rode on Monday and the roads were almost empty. The return climb on 6821 toward Llagostera almost did me in.
Ain't nothing wrong with Rack Packing! Myself & my GF did a nice route along the Loire Valley in France last year... from vineyard to vineyard. You're not gonna get many bottles of wine into a saddle bag!
Your travel videos have always been my favorite. I'm curious to what is your "Party Pace" for this ride. Where I live in FL, roadies blow by me all the time and I'm riding anywhere between 12 to 18 mph. Thanks!
I noticed you guys use mirrors and Garmins. Have you tried the Garmin Varia radar? It also has a daylight visible flashing light and makes your Garmin beep when cars are approaching. Sure it’s another thing to charge but uses the same charge port as the Garmin head unit. Anyway, loved the vid! I now want to go to Spain. 😅
Hey, fan from Barcelona here. Did you go straight from Llagostera to Tossa? The other road that ends at the sea between Tossa and Sant Feliu de Guíxols is nicer a has almost no traffic. I have done it in Summer with no cars passing me during the whole crossing, on a weekend!
Hello there. Your channel has been very inspirational for years. now. Thanks. Are you goinf to travel down south to Andalucia? Maybe ride the desert in Almeria, or all the way to Cadiz. My hometown. Enjoy your riding. Be safe.
What are the pro and cons between the Crust Bombora and the Sklar Super Something? Torn between the two and do not have the ability to test ride either.
How many miles did you to ride on your travel? I thought you use rim brakes you were using disk brakes!? Can you tell me the name of web site you get your cranks? Thankyou
1:08 "Nice bike trail!" - Russ, riding on the road next to a massive, bi-directional, perfectly smooth bike path... Admit it, there is at least some road cyclist left in you... 🤣
The balcony is very ‘European’? I am really struggling with that idea. Is Europe a particularly balcony place? I mean, I remember some fantastic balconies in other places too.
Euro as in small and compact and nearly decorative. As oppose to North American where you could have a whole dining set and BBQ. I can't even remember the last time we stayed in lodging property in the US that had any balcony.
Not me. Moved there earlier this year and now back in the States. Couldn’t find work in my field. I’m a Spanish citizen and the salaries are low in Spain. Do not relocate to Spain unless you are a retiree or digital nomad. Spain is great to visit but not to live and work with the low Spanish wages
Wow - just stunning! Russ and Laura, you do a fabulous job filming and narrating your videos - I thoroughly enjoyed going along with you on this wonderful ride! Thank you!
Russ, buddy, a 2x drive train, friction shifting, and now this, a regular rear rack with panniers! You're just a couple of tires with tubes and a set of rim brakes away from telling people to get off your lawn! It looks fabulous, glad you guys are enjoying Spain so much.
My parents have a summer house in Sant Feliu de Guíxols and I have been riding there since I´m a child. I would highly recommend taking Sant Grau from Llagostera instead of the road to Tossa de Mar. Sant Grau views are just next level, super super fun and without traffic. It´s probably the most well known stretch and descent in that area of Costa Brava. The via verda from Sant Feliu to Girona (Carrilet) is flatish gravel because it's the old railway infrastructure ;) If you like exploring by foot, you will be happy to find that you have the Camins de Ronda along the coast. For examle, you can start in Sant Feliu and go all the way to France by foot along all the small beaches. Have fun! Cheers from Boulder, Colorado!
I did my first ever international bike trip in Catalonia last October, starting and ending in Barcelona. Your second day out of Tossa was the exact stretch I did on my second day, that windy coastal road is forever etched in my memory. This video makes me want to go back already!
This was really enjoyable! Thanks for taking us along for the ride, and adding the narration beyond just "I ride for 20 minutes POV"
Excellent timing for me. I'm on a van/cycle tour around Europe and looking for interesting cycle routes on my way. This looks perfect. Cheers.
Mat Ryder the GDMBR legend.
I've used rear racks since the 70s on my general purpose drop bar bikes. I always find something to attach or strap on and they provide a fender in the wet. But i like rackpacking and will start using the term.Thanks for sharing your new life with us.
Rackpacking seems very innovative! Keep us updated. I really like the POV with a rider in front really shows off the speed and steepness better than just a handle bar shot. This is probably the first video you have made that makes me jealous of you being in Spain! Good mix of ride and tourism but not spoiling by showing every aspect of the ride.
Amazing! Love to see non-roadie rides and I hope you get to map out some car free/lite routes!
This is the kind of video I was waiting for! Thank you Russ & Laura❤
Really enjoyable video. Nice job! Brings me back to our riding there last Spring. From Llagostera, we instead took 6821 to the coastal road. A nice winding climb among cork trees and NO traffic. The descent to the coastal road is fun and beautiful! I think you’d enjoy that route much more. Thanks again for the video. Please keep them coming.
Yeah, weekends are always super busy. And that entire coast all the way down to Alicante, is prime winter/spring training camp for roadies. And they’re extra motivated this week coz of the Tour Of Catalunya that’s happening now. Beautiful coastal views !!
Love your setup, Russ.
You've followed a similar journey to myself (although you did it first!).
Full 4 pannier, loaded touring to "bikepacking" bags, to small panniers. Funny how that progression goes. Finding the optimal space between packing styles.
And if you need more space, then it's easy enough to add a drybag on top of the rack or go to a full framebag.... Add feedbags....
Rear rack all the way 🎉 this was a lovely video showing off the beautiful surroundings. Good job exploring, and looking forward to more like this!
Wow. What a great little adventure. Lucky you. Thanks for sharing!!
I had Tossa de Mar on my list to ride next month. My friend lives in Torroella de Montgri and I keep a bike at her house since I visit her often. I used to live in San Francisco, so hearing part of the ride is similar to Marin vibes makes it even more enticing. I am also looking forward to Spanish food--so good!
Loved the tour! Thanks for taking us along. Cheers, Key West Rick
One thing I've learned watching bike videos. It's all about going for a coffee, then maybe having a coffee then washing that all down with a coffee.
Awesome trip looking forward to more bike trips from tou guys
Beautifully edited and sensibly planned adventure. You guys have been doing this a while and it shows.
Thanks for taking us along it does get me pondering mini velo tours around my home town. Cheers for the ESI grips too, I managed to fit them using zip ties and a piece of dowel. They will remind me it's about the journey and not so much the destination 😀
Amazing photography! Love the narration!
My wife and I were lucky enough to be in Tossa in January 2019, the 6th I think when the big after Christmas festival is held. It went down the main street right under the balcony of the apartment we were staying in. Loved that town and the castle with the statue of Ava. Didn’t think of it as a cycling destination at the time. 🤷♂️
I love riding in Spain! I personally found the drivers very nice (relative to riding in Toronto).
Beautiful county ! I’m amazed when you walk by the giant cactus looks like Opuntia.
Love the vibe looks like a cracking tour!
Nice! Best upload in a while. Dig the soundtrack too. Just watched the volta Catalunya and had Spain on the mind already. And another new one is when you put swift bags on a roadbike (like I've done fosho) it's called "fastpacking". Right on guys 👍
Life in Spain looks pretty sweet. Thanks for introducing rackpacking to me…
That was simply delightful! Love the tour exploration aspect, as opposed to bike mechanics for a change. Signed, a jealous Missoulian.
Nice setup, Laura. My gravel bike is similar to yours. The rack and mini pannier bags look cool, Russ but I still refuse to put a rack on my gravel bike lol.
Reminds me of a recent experience in Taiwan. The "famous" bike route 193 was pretty stressful, and that's in the offseason mid-week. Basically like a racetrack for motorized vehicles with little to no shoulder for bicycles. Whereas the residential and farm roads of the rift valley foothills were great, even if a little steep.
I am from Spain. Las Vias Verdes are abondoned old train tracks that have been converted to cyclist paths. Thats why they have chilled slopes and cut though farm land. A nice village in that area that should visit is Port de La Selva and Cadaqués. Although I am not sure what cyclist route you should take. Enjoy Spain, although you should also visit other areas, not only Catalonia.
As always interesting and fun to watch. A map og the route would make it even better Thank You and keep going !
I love your brake levers, is there a video where you featured those?
Nice road out of town!🥰
I have heard about Girona to be interesting for (road-)bikers
We came into Spain from southern France. Highly recommend you try some or all of the Pirinexus.
Wow Those views are amazing! Spain is such a beautiful country. So hype to see/experience the evolution of your YT channel. Congrats on the move and looking forward to seeing more of your content.
BTW your bike mirror is sooooo sweet! That’s thing is stylish and practical. Where can I buy one of those? Is there a brand? Thank you in advance.
awesome video and that trip looks amazing, prefect little trip other than the no shoulder/traffic spots. I just don't think I could do it , pretty sure the stress would outweigh the joy for me.
Thanks, i enjoyed it. I went to the Costa Brava in the mid 80s with my parents.
I rode a similar route from Girona to Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu just a few months ago, and took Sant Grau to get to Girona. Definitely reminded me a lot of the coastal riding here in the Bay Area. Funnily enough, I also went to the same cafe/bakery in Sant Feliu!
Was in Tossa last October. Loved it. Had to leave the gravel bike at home as I was recovering from almost dying in a bike crash 🤪
I did that ride last year at the end of October. I'm surprised you guys had so much road traffic, I rode on Monday and the roads were almost empty. The return climb on 6821 toward Llagostera almost did me in.
October is at the end of tourist season on the coast. It is JUST turning on right now.
Y’all should watch Pandora and the Flying Dutchman with Ava Gardner! Shot in Tossa del mar hace mucho tiempo…
Ain't nothing wrong with Rack Packing! Myself & my GF did a nice route along the Loire Valley in France last year... from vineyard to vineyard. You're not gonna get many bottles of wine into a saddle bag!
That IS a great point!😆
Very nice! Thanks for the adventure.
Your travel videos have always been my favorite. I'm curious to what is your "Party Pace" for this ride. Where I live in FL, roadies blow by me all the time and I'm riding anywhere between 12 to 18 mph. Thanks!
Let’s call it touring.
Beautiful scenery. Miss España. How is it getting around without a car? Manageable with bike transportation alone? Thank you for video 🥰
I noticed you guys use mirrors and Garmins. Have you tried the Garmin Varia radar? It also has a daylight visible flashing light and makes your Garmin beep when cars are approaching. Sure it’s another thing to charge but uses the same charge port as the Garmin head unit. Anyway, loved the vid! I now want to go to Spain. 😅
Hey, fan from Barcelona here.
Did you go straight from Llagostera to Tossa?
The other road that ends at the sea between Tossa and Sant Feliu de Guíxols is nicer a has almost no traffic. I have done it in Summer with no cars passing me during the whole crossing, on a weekend!
Hey guys :) Now that youre living in Europe, when can we expect to be able to get your merch here without having to pay crazy shippinng costs?!
Hello there. Your channel has been very inspirational for years. now. Thanks. Are you goinf to travel down south to Andalucia? Maybe ride the desert in Almeria, or all the way to Cadiz. My hometown. Enjoy your riding. Be safe.
It was a pleasure following your trip!
What are the pro and cons between the Crust Bombora and the Sklar Super Something? Torn between the two and do not have the ability to test ride either.
How many miles did you to ride on your travel? I thought you use rim brakes you were using disk brakes!? Can you tell me the name of web site you get your cranks? Thankyou
You can get to Llagostera on a greenway, so traffic free. I've done it a couple of times, most enjoyable.
That’s the way we took back.
What a great twos day adventure!
What kind of bike helmet mirror are you both wearing? I’ve tried to find it on the Internet no luck. What brand is it?
Summers on its way, yes!
Hey Russ - what helmet mirror are you two rocking there? Great content as usual!
Beautiful!
Boylei Hobby Time reference, nice :)
1:08 "Nice bike trail!" - Russ, riding on the road next to a massive, bi-directional, perfectly smooth bike path...
Admit it, there is at least some road cyclist left in you... 🤣
Did you put tubes in your tires or did you get an air compressor?
What's the front bags you guys have on your bikes?
FWIW I have ridden that route twice in June and can't say there was much traffic either day..
Surely I can’t be the only one thinking “Oh no!!! There goes the bike” at 04:44
Rack packing sounds pretty innovative. Surprised Russ didn’t dive deeper into that
Wondering who make that rear view mirror on your helmet?
Watching your video, curious about your bike transport
Keep safe always!
Is there a video describing her bike?
Does anybody recognise the handlebar bag Russ is riding on his bike? Thanks a lot!
Looks like so much fun! Glad you guys are having fun and exploring the area more. Any ferry rides to Mallorca planned?
Would love to see the route on screen. When you talk about it
Thanks for sharing!
* Never be in a hurry, if you can help it!
Could you pls add gpxs of you rides?
8:05 This car passing in the oncoming lane, across a solid line, around a blind curve, is not great.
Use Komoot with MTB setting it will give you almost zero main roads.
❤❤ ?? Cost of living .....compared to......Cali, (Not Missoula). ??
❤da foottage !
Thanks for the tour guys! Still using miles while living in Spain?
So when do we get a second art channel?!❤
The balcony is very ‘European’?
I am really struggling with that idea. Is Europe a particularly balcony place? I mean, I remember some fantastic balconies in other places too.
Euro as in small and compact and nearly decorative. As oppose to North American where you could have a whole dining set and BBQ. I can't even remember the last time we stayed in lodging property in the US that had any balcony.
What's are the motorists like there?
Nice video. Both of you are sweet :) keep it up. 💚
Does living in Spain live uptp your expectations?
Not me. Moved there earlier this year and now back in the States. Couldn’t find work in my field. I’m a Spanish citizen and the salaries are low in Spain. Do not relocate to Spain unless you are a retiree or digital nomad. Spain is great to visit but not to live and work with the low Spanish wages
Cars fairly avoidable?
Pronounced toe-sa. great content
6:31 ufff screw that….
Oh oh. Traffic. Welcome to Europe. If there’s no cycle paths there will be traffic.
Seems like there’s no litter along any of the roads. Maybe the citizens there care about their environment?
Some men will do everything in their power to not use the word touring.
Ha some people don’t know a joke when they hear it.
Be honest, its better than working..
It IS work :)
Nice……