The Traka Gravel

Extreme
Date
2026-05-02
Location
Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Distance
360 km
Elevation
7500m
Category
Ultra
Region
Europe
Organizer
gravel.cc
Terrain
Gravel
About

Epic gravel adventure from Girona through the Pyrenean foothills. 360km, 200km, and 100km distances.

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▌ RIDER INTEL DOSSIER
71
GR SCORE
/ 100
TIER 2
~/dossier/the-traka-gravel $ cat briefing.md

Epic gravel adventure from Girona through the Pyrenean foothills

Europe ultra event organized by gravel.cc

EFFORT33/50
EXPER.48/70

12 SCORING DIMENSIONS

THE TRAKA GRAVEL
LENGTH9/10CLIMBING9/10DURABILITY9/10TECHNICALITY3/10RACE PRESSURE3/10ADVENTURE10/10SCENERY6/10ORGANIZATION7/10VALUE8/10COMMUNITY8/10ACCESSIBILITY2/10FIELD DEPTH7/10

EFFORT MATRIX

LENGTH09/10
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360 km — ultra-distance commitment
CLIMBING09/10
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7,500 m total — 21 m/km
DURABILITY09/10
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Plan for 16+ hours in the saddle
TECHNICALITY03/10
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Gravel
RACE PRESSURE03/10
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Adventure-focused, low racing pressure

EXPERIENCE MATRIX

ADVENTURE10/10
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Bikepacking / ultra format — proper expedition feel
SCENERY06/10
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Gravel
ORGANIZATION07/10
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Community-sourced details
VALUE08/10
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Reasonable cost-per-km
COMMUNITY08/10
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Grassroots gravel scene around the event
ACCESSIBILITY02/10
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Reasonable to enter
FIELD DEPTH07/10
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Mixed field — pros + adventure riders

GREEN FLAGS

  • [+]360 km of extreme gravel through Girona, Catalonia
  • [+]7,500 m of climbing — proper elevation
  • [+]Self-supported / ultra format = adventure focus
  • [+]Organized by gravel.cc
  • [+]Varied terrain: Gravel
  • [+]European gravel-festival culture (post-ride food / beer scene)

RED FLAGS

  • [!]Ultra distance — needs serious training base
  • [!]Extreme rating — only attempt with prior ultra experience
  • [!]Self-supported — no aid stations expected
  • [!]Details not yet verified — confirm via official site

RIDER FIT

Endurance MulePRIME · 9/10

Built for hours in the saddle — your distance

ClimberPRIME · 10/10

Significant climbing rewards low-watt grinding

Adventure TouristPRIME · 9/10

Ultra format = guided adventure with timing chips

BikepackerPRIME · 9/10

Self-supported format suits bikepacking instincts

SpeedsterOK · 4/10

Smoother surfaces let raw speed talk

Crit RacerAVOID · 2/10

Single-day pace suits crit-style riders less here

⚡ SIGNATURE CHALLENGE
Vertical is the equalizer

7,500 m of climbing means raw watts matter less than grinding low and steady. Your gearing choice will shape your day.

TIRE INTEL

WIDTH
42-50 mm
PRESSURE
28-34 psi
PATTERN
Semi-slick centre w/ light side knobs

Mixed gravel with no extreme demands — go for rolling speed.

▶ TOP PICKS
1.Continental Terra Trail[42mm]Durable casing, balanced grip
2.Schwalbe G-One Bite[42mm]Excellent loose-surface bite
3.Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H[42mm]Hard-pack speed

WEATHER PLAYBOOK

Girona, Catalonia in spring (May): expect mild conditions — pack for variable weather. Always check 7-day forecast race week and pack a packable shell.

PACING PLAYBOOK

01
Day 1 — Opening Effort~90 km

Resist the urge to push. Your race starts in 48 hours, not at km 0.

02
Day 2 — Settling Into the Rhythm~180 km

Eat early, eat often. Sleep matters more than watts now.

03
Day 3 — The Crux~270 km

Mental low point. Stick to the plan. Most riders bonk here mentally before physically.

04
Final Push — Home Stretch360 km

Save matches. The finish line will reveal itself when you stop chasing it.

WHAT TO FEAR

  • [!01]Late-race climbs after the legs are gone
  • [!02]Mental low point on the long, lonely middle section
  • [!03]Resupply gaps — carry more food than you think

INSIDER INTEL

▌ INCOMING TRANSMISSION

European gravel has a different rhythm — the long lunch stops, the espresso at km 60, the post-race beer that lasts hours. The Traka Gravel captures that perfectly.

Regional cycling forum · Europe gravel scene

RACE LOGISTICS

SELF-SUPPORTEDCarry everything. No aid stations.

Self-supported by design. Carry your own food, water, tools, and shelter. Resupply from towns en route.

▶ RESUPPLY

Plan for 6-8 hour stretches between resupply points. Carry food and purification.

✓ INCLUDED WITH ENTRY
  • +Timing chip + bib
  • +Course markings + GPX
✕ BRING YOUR OWN
  • -Spare tubes / tubeless plugs
  • -Lodging
  • -All food and water beyond the start
  • -Shelter / sleep system
  • -Tracker (rider-supplied for many ultras)
  • -Drop bag transport (unless specified)
MECHANICS
Self Only
MEDICAL
Self Only
DROP BAGS
Yes
BAG TRANSPORT
No
▶ ACCOMMODATION · 3 OPTIONS
Hotels in Girona
0-10 km from start

Book 6+ months ahead for big events. Check the race partner-hotel list for discounts.

Airbnb / Vrbo
Varies

Often the best value for groups. Search the wider race region, not just the start town.

Camping
Often at venue

Many gravel events offer on-site camping for a small fee. Check race FAQ.

▶ GOOD TO KNOW
  • Mandatory pre-race brief — non-negotiable attendance.
  • GPS device with full route loaded is required, not optional.

TRAVEL OPS

AIRPORTMAD / BCN depending on region
LODGINGBook early in Girona — gravel events fill local accommodation fast
FOODCarry your own ride nutrition. Local options usually plentiful before/after.
PACKET PICKUPDay-before-event pickup is standard. Confirm via official site.
PARKINGEvent parking varies — check race FAQ
▌ BOTTOM LINE

The Traka Gravel is a destination-worthy ultra event in Spain. A solid bucket-list addition.