Sunday, September 19, 2021

Girona, Day 7

Bike Route: Girona to Santa Maria d'el Collell Out and Back, 43 miles 3000 feel of climb

Another perfect day for a bike ride. The plan was to cycle north to Banyoles, where there is a popular little lake; eat a light lunch; and then continue on north through part of the Zona Volcanica de la Garrotxa national park and loop back to Girona. It was a lovely way to spend our last day in Girona.

We didn't know we would be in Banyoles for the annual Travessia de l'Estany (Crossing of the Lake). The lake is 2.2 kilometers wide, and it was marked off with swimming lanes. This turned out not to be the best time to try to get lunch in Banyoles. Instead, we found a little cafe a few miles away, where we met another group of cyclists from Girona.

About two thousand people--men, women, and children, individually and in groups including swim clubs--were gathered at the lake in Banyoles.