The Harvest Tour
Our first olive harvest last year was, well, our first: complete novice farmers with no olive picking experience who realized pretty quickly that our olive trees make a ton of olives—almost literally. In the beginning we called on a few close friends to come help us out but, as word got around town, more and more people asked us if they could come pick olives too. Soon, people were riding over to spend an hour or so in the orchard, others driving up to spend the day in the trees.
Surrounded by wonderful old olive trees and friends, what seemed like a daunting task turned out to be fun that was actually short-lived. When all the olives were picked and pressed into wonderful olive oil, the fun began again as we gave each pair of helping hands a piece of the harvest. We still get messages and pictures of fond memories and wonderful meals made with Can Campolier olive oil.
With such a successful first harvest, this year we’re officially opening the orchard with the Harvest Tour. Spend the morning with us on bikes and then return to the estate in the afternoon for an orchard lunch and olive picking. Enjoy the roads, the olive trees, and take home delicious hand-picked, cold-pressed olive oil.
Join us for the Harvest Tour
Returning as Cyclists
It was a pleasure to welcome Anastasia and Kirill back to Rocacorba Cycling. They first stayed with us back in August 2018 and recently they returned, but it wasn’t the Anastasia and Kirill we had initially met.
Last year our guests from Moscow, Russia arrived as pure holiday-makers. They had found us on AirBnB and used us as a base to explore the Girona area and experience Catalonia. They stayed in the apartment of the grand old house Can Campolier and were quite taken with the property, the building, drinks on the balcony, views from the tower and, of course, Mila. They explored Besalu, old town Girona, the Costa Brava, and then they discovered something they weren’t expecting on their Spanish holiday: cycling.
Anastasia and Kirill were not cyclists at all but when you stay with us, it’s hard to miss that we are a cycling destination. Other guests were in and out with hire bikes and their curiosity was sparked. We introduced them to cycling, showed them our Cervelo R3s and what made them a road bike versus the 3T Exploro gravel bikes. We told them about the great routes and things they could see and experience while cycling Girona and the surrounding area. It didn’t take long before they gave into their curiosity, first going for a spin around Lake Banyoles on the town bikes and then venturing out on the 3T Exploros to explore the La Garrotxa area, and that was just the beginning.
Fast forward to April 2019 and when they returned, they were not just holiday-makers anymore. They told us since their first visit their lives had changed. They had bought bikes, proper kit, GoPros, joined Strava… Anastasia and Kirill had come back as proper cyclists. Not only did they enjoy a few days of gravel riding on the 3T Exploros again, but they also ventured out on the Cervelo R3s, some rides even nudging up to 100km! We helped them plan out the best routes over all four days and by the end of the week they had conquered the iconic Rocacorba, ridden the Costa Brava, and experienced Catalonia in a whole new way.
It was a whole new experience off the bike too. Although they were keen to return to the same apartment they had stayed in before, we were excited to have them as our first guests in the newly renovated masia, Cal Germa. While the familiar charm of the property and cuteness of Mila remained the same, they were taken with the comfortable modern rooms and garden backyard of Germa. The combination of privacy and spaciousness, modern and historic, gives the house a really special feeling. It’s the perfect place to relax, recover, and enjoy the surrounding nature and views of the mountain especially, they told us, after a long ride.
Anastasia and Kirill may have been returning guests, but nothing was repeated. Their transformation was nothing short of incredible and we’re absolutely delighted to be a part of their story. If their return visit and riding adventures aren’t convincing enough, Kirill also told us he already wanted a new, better, faster bike: a Cervelo R3. We have a feeling they will be back soon and that they will be taking more than good memories home! Don’t worry Kirill, we’ve got an R3 waiting for you!
The Rocacorba Cycling Jersey… all the way in Moscow.
Our All New Fleet
The new bike hire fleet has been in action for a few weeks at Rocacorba Cycling. The beautiful, fast, and brand new 2019 Cervelo R3 complimented with the versatile, alluring, and just downright fun 3T Exploro means we have bikes to cover all means of cycling adventures in Girona.
If you’ve always chosen to travel with your bike you’re really missing out on the opportunity of hiring a bike. Cyclists who travel with their bikes know all too well what a hassle it can be and, even worse, how expensive it can be when you have to replace damaged equipment on holiday. When you hire a bike, you don’t have to stress about packing, building, lugging around a bike bag, excess baggage fees, or surprise damage. Still, there’s something about having your own bike with you—we get it! You have your set-up dialled in, you’re comfortable, and, well, it’s your bike! But can you really say no to a beauty like the Cervelo R3?
Bike hire is a great chance to ride and experience a different bike, try out new equipment, and let’s not forget the amazing convenience of stress free travel while your loyal steed stays safely at home. You don’t have to worry about bringing tools, setting the bike up, or maintaining it; you get the absolute pleasure of riding a top-end bike. We take care of everything so you can just ride and enjoy.
Before your arrival, we will be in touch to get your measurements so your bike is set up specifically for you. Don’t know your measurements? We can help you figure them out or book a bike fit upon arrival. Whether you need a 80mm stem or you’ve never measured your saddle height before, we can ensure you a perfect, stress-free set-up.
All of our rental bikes are the latest 2019 frames with the newest technology. Haven’t tried disc brakes yet? Been on the same soft carbon frames for years? Never been on gravel? Enjoy the excitement, responsiveness, and speed of something new with high-level components. Whether you’re renting a Cervelo R3 or a 3T Exploro (or both as many of our guests like to do), when you arrive, our in-house mechanic will have your bike set up to your exact measurements and ready to go. Along with your pedals, you’re encouraged to bring your own saddle that we will install for maximum comfort. Our mechanic is also bike fitter so any changes can be done on the spot to ensure you’re comfortable and ready to perform.
There’s been more than a few holiday romances that have turned into something long-lasting after a week of riding around Girona and the Costa Brava. If you fall in love with the nimble, light Cervelo R3 or you can’t let go of how the world opened up on a 3T Exploro, we’re not in the business of breaking hearts. We can always have a new one delivered right to your door.
Rent a bike when you stay with us and explore all Girona has to offer.
