Away from traffic and deep in the countryside, riding on the dirt roads is a unique experience. In the province of Girona, Spain, where I live,  there is a large network of dirt roads which go through some incredible countryside. Each autumn, as I start training again after a short break, I try to discover some new roads and countryside on my cyclo-cross bike. My good friend Jordi Cantal, who is a local fireman, joins me on most of the rides. Like me, he is always hunting for new routes. A Catalan, he teaches me about the history of the area and their culture. The bike, a Pinarello, has mudguards, tough touring tires and lower gears than my standard training bike. The position is identical to my race bike. The video was taken on one ride: from Girona to Rocacorba-Mieres-Sant Aniol de Finestres-La Barroca-Amer-Pantano de Susqueda-Osor-Angels-Sant Gregori-Girona. Music: Mr.Rager by Kid Cudi.


21 thoughts on “Dirt

    1. No, the bike came with holes drilled in the forks/stays for the mudguards. I’ll post some more photos in the coming days. Cheers,
      Michael

  1. Love how local knowledge seems to always be available amongst cyclists.
    Brilliant footage, look like our paved Quebec roads. Cool song !

  2. Another great video Michael, well done like looking and reading your articles. The lake looks lovely.

  3. bravo pour votre parcourt sur de beau paysage catalan je suis moi méme d’origine kabyle je retrouve les mémes paysage que chez moi en kabylie d1coté la montagne et de l’autre la mer et je pratique le velo sur route en amateur bien sur mais d’experience sur route je trouve que avec 1 camera embarquer sur 1casque de velo les images sur la camera doive étre impresionnant en tout cas merci de faire partager vos images ET BONNE CHANCE,,,,,,??????????????????????????????

  4. hi. how have you attached front mudguards to the forks. is there a purpose built screw hole in the top. am trying to get a set for my cross bike but my forks havn t got a hole and cant find any decent long front guards

    1. Hi Greg: The bike I’m riding in the video is a cyclo cross bike with eyelets for the mudguard stays. You can also buy clamps to hold the stays in place. Cheers, MIchael

  5. sorry, just read previous replies reference guard mounts, and just ordered a set of clip on one any way. but since you may be reading this, why do pinarello call some bikes pina, some dogma etc?? and the obvious question what you think about cav on the team

  6. El olor del pasto en el monte, el silencio, el barro, etc., todo suma para una bella experiencia.
    Disfrutando…….., gracias.

  7. Wow the old timers in the Rough Stuff Association would kill for this kind of route, Great vid quite fancy a trip to Girona.

  8. Hi Michael, what an amazing video – great soundtrack and some hardcore action! I was wondering if you could tell me what tyres you use please? If not, just the size would be of interest. Cheers, Oli

    1. Hi Oli. I use 28 c touring tires. Anything with heavier rubber works well. Cheers, Michael

  9. Sitting up in dark and grey Sweden and can just dream about these kind of roads and weather. As always a great video and just perfect music to go with it. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Cheers!

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