For five years, the province of Tarragona in Spain has hosted one of the country’s most emblematic and mass-participation gravel events. The SB Hotels La Garba takes place on the weekend of March 28-30, which is why it is many cyclists’ first challenge of the year. This year, the organization offers six distances so that every cycling enthusiast can find the route that best suits their preferences and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere throughout the weekend in l’Ampolla.
La Garba took place for the first time in 2021. The circumstances at the time, with the consequences of the pandemic still notably present, were not ideal. However, the know-how of Ramón Navarro, the mastermind behind the entire project, allowed the organization of an event that aims to show the Terres de l’Ebre region at its finest.
This area, which was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2013, has truly unique landscapes. At the mouth of the second largest river in Spain, one can find long stretches of unpaved roads. Ramón, a local, decided to organize a non-competitive event so that all those unfamiliar with Terres de l’Ebre could ride along its countless paths perfect for gravel riding.
In the first two editions, all the La Garba routes ran exclusively through the flat parts of the Ebro Delta Natural Park. Although routes with greater distances and gradients have been added, the organizers are still offering these versions of the event in the 2025 edition. Anyone looking to combine sport and culture in an environment with unique flora and fauna has the distances Lo Manoll (83 km +60 m) and La Garba (120 km +90 m) at their disposal.
Lo Cabrit, with 132 kilometers and 1,530 meters of elevation gain, can already be considered a tough route. A few steps further on, we find the three longest distances of La Garba, which are a notable contrast to the itineraries already mentioned. La Cabra (242 km +4,450 m), Lo Flamenc (346 km +5,720 m), and this year’s novelty (Lo Voltor, 509 km +7,860 m) will test the participants’ physical and mental fitness.
Despite their toughness, both due to their length and their accumulated elevation, they offer an unforgettable experience thanks to the variety of environments participants come across. The organizers avoid the word “ultra-distance” term and opt for the concept of bikepacking to refer to the longer distance routes, highlighting the adventurous nature of the event. Take a look at the Sierra de Cardó, the Matarraña area, Valderobles, and the Els Ports Natural Park to get an idea of the terrain and landscapes that the brave will encounter on their way.
The variety of distances seems to have tempted gravel enthusiasts, as they are on track to sell out their entries for another year. As of today, there are no entries left for Lo Voltor and the total number of registered participants is over 700, with 1,000 being the maximum established by the organization.
To introduce some of the new routes, on the weekend of February 22nd-23rd, there will be several recon rides of the routes. Registration is free and the start and finish location will be the Hotel SB Corona in Tortosa.
A month later, the official program of the SB Hotels La Garba will begin with the start of Lo Voltor on Friday, March 28, at 11 AM. That same day there will be several warm up rides and briefings to finalize details for the departure of the rest of the routes. For more than 48 hours the arrival area will be a party with a constant flow of cyclists finishing their challenge.