In living up to its heady interpretation the route seeks to expose each rider to the beauty, history, and culture of Catalonia. 1,400km of crisp winding asphalt begin in Reus, outside Tarragona, and skirts inland, NE, following the coast towards Perpignan, before heading deep into the Pyrenees, on inclines that seek to grind down the hardiest of souls and gears. Once out of the mountains, the route leads south into yet more scenic... and lumpy terrain (there is over 24,000m elevation gain!) before a final amble back to Reus.
On Saturday 12th May 2023 FIECON's Owen Harrison and his pal Christian set off to tackle the Krom, their bikes loaded with all their kit (including lights, a bivouac (bivvy), and lots of Haribo), for a self-sufficient week on the road. Despite a limited understanding of Spanish and having never slept under a bush in a bivvy, the intention was to ride, endure, crawl, and immerse themselves in the lap around Catalonia.
Sponsorship for the bicycle ride raised over £3,300 (including match funding from FIECON) for the Disasters Emergency Committee to support the response to major emergencies like the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The Disasters Emergency Committee brings together 15 UK charities – the British Red Cross included – to raise funds for an effective, coordinated response to a major overseas crisis. Immediate priorities are search and rescue, medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, heating in safe spaces, blankets, warm clothes, and ensuring people have food and clean water.
