David Hemming Delves into the Magic of Girona at The Traka 100K
From the moment UK rider, David Hemming, rolled out onto the gravel at The Traka, he felt an instant connection—not only to the terrain, but to the people in Girona. This wasn't just a ride; it was an invitation into a living, breathing cycling culture with history, heart, and soul.
Girona is a place of myth and meaning, nestled perfectly between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, where every road seems designed to draw you deeper into the rhythm of the ride. It’s where pros have quietly built their lives, where amateurs go to feel something bigger than themselves, and where the soul of cycling hums through the streets, cafés, and switchbacks.
I finally made the pilgrimage for The Traka 2025, and from the moment I rolled into town, it didn’t feel like a first visit—it felt like coming home. Every pedal stroke on Girona’s iconic gravel, every early morning coffee among fellow riders, every golden hour glow on medieval stone—it all echoed a feeling I’d held onto for years. I didn’t just arrive in Girona; I arrived at something I’d been chasing for a long time.
The Deep Roots of Cycling in Girona
Girona stole cyclists’ hearts long before it ever showed up on bucket lists. In the late '90s, pros looking for the perfect training ground quietly started calling it home—not just for the roads, but for the rhythm of life here. Riders like George Hincapie and David Millar helped shine a light on what they already knew: Girona was something special. Since then, it’s become a magnetic place for the cycling world—a rare blend of soul-stirring climbs, smooth tarmac, and a city that feels built for both hard efforts and slow coffees.
Girona’s cycling legacy isn’t just written in the training rides of pro cyclists—it’s etched into the race calendar itself. The Volta a Catalunya, first held in 1911, is one of the oldest and most prestigious stage races in the world. Over the decades, it has drawn some of cycling’s biggest names to the region. Iconic ascents like Rocacorba—steeped in mystery and revered by those who know its punishing gradients—and the long, winding climb to Sant Hilari have become proving grounds for both local legends and international stars. These roads are more than tarmac; they’re part of the sport’s living history.
The Traka 2025: A Celebration of Cycling
The Traka 2025 event was a vibrant gathering of cycling enthusiasts from around the globe. The atmosphere was electric, with group rides, workshops, and social events that highlighted the communal spirit of Girona's cycling culture.
And just like the terrain, the weather threw everything it had at us—soaking rain turned trails into rivers of mud, shoes squelched, glasses fogged, and then suddenly, the sun would break through, drying our kits as fast as they had been drenched. It felt like we rode through every season in a single day.
The shifting skies added to the experience, reminding us that this wasn’t just a ride, it was an adventure. Participating in this event wasn’t only about ticking off kilometres; it was about becoming part of a global community that embraces every climb, every storm, and every sun-drenched stretch of road. Sharing that experience, from the nervous excitement at the start line to the muddy high-fives at the finish, added a whole new layer of meaning to the weekend.
Participating in The Traka and riding through Girona's storied landscapes was far more than just another event on the calendar—it was a deeply personal journey, one that wove together years of anticipation, admiration, and a quiet yearning to be part of something bigger than myself. I had imagined what it might feel like to ride those same roads, to sip coffee in the cafés, to push my limits on the same climbs that have shaped champions.
From the moment I rolled out onto the gravel at The Traka, I felt an instant connection—not only to the terrain, but to the people. The shared nods at the start line, the mud-covered grins on the trails, the conversations in the cafés afterward—it all formed a sense of camaraderie and belonging that’s rare to find. This wasn't just a ride; it was an invitation into a living, breathing cycling culture with history, heart, and soul.
