photographs by Oriol Batista
This weekend sees the return of a race we love: the M&M. In our opinion, it shares a philosophy with other events (like La Garba), which include excellent course design, varied challenges, and attentive service to participant needs.
They've perfectly timed a great day of gravel, with a very positive response from the cyclists. This year's M&M sold out all entries. We believe the Across, a step further (400 km, +10,000 m), has enormous potential.
This is a test designed for those seeking an extra level of challenge and quality, geared more toward personal challenges than outright competition.
Below, we offer the words of Bernat Buch, the soul of M&M, who explains what makes this adventure, which will take place this weekend in Santa Susanna, so special.
M&M Gravel Grinder
The Montnegre & Montseny Gravel Grinder It's a non-competitive gravel cycling event that aims to introduce gravel cycling enthusiasts to a new environment: the Montnegre and Corredor parks, and the Montseny Natural Park. Starting along the Mediterranean Sea, the round trip between the sea and the mountains offers routes with a wide variety of landscapes and environments.
Crossing two natural parks is, of course, no easy task. Aware of this, we've always wanted to differentiate ourselves as a more demanding and challenging gravel route than usual. Welcome the brave (Welcome the brave) is our motto to define this identity and attract cyclists who are not only looking for easy and fast pedaling, but also a true challenge in terms of gradient and toughness.
In this edition, we're adding a new 50km distance with 1,000m of elevation gain, adding to an already varied offering: 85km with 1,500m of elevation gain, 120km with 2,500m of elevation gain, and the queen of the M&Ms—and the origin of the entire project—200km with 5,000m of elevation gain.
All of this based in Santa Susanna, where a village with a final party, live music, food trucks, and brands from the cycling sector, thus consolidating Santa Susanna's commitment to cycle tourism.
Across Catalonia
The Across Catalonia is the ultracycling and self-sufficiency event of our outdoor sports events brand (M&M Outdoor Culture). Integrated into the M&M Gravel Grinder program, and as ultracycling enthusiasts, we were missing a distance of this type with logistics and an approach different from the usual circular routes.
A linear route was designed, from point A to point B, choosing northern Catalonia as the starting point (Vielha) and crossing some of the country's most iconic landscapes and sites. The route crosses natural parks until reaching the Mediterranean Sea (Santa Susanna), with a 42-hour time limit.
This event was conceived as a gateway to ultracycling for those who want to get started in this discipline. The combination of mileage and elevation gain makes it an ideal challenge that can be tackled in two equally valid ways: completing the course in one go without sleeping, or splitting it into two days, always within the demanding 42-hour time limit.
With logistics that allow for different registration options (with or without a hotel, with or without transportation, or all-inclusive), participants are encouraged to get to know each other the day before the race—during the trip to the start—creating a close and very special atmosphere during and after the event.
An unprecedented adventure that, in 2025, has doubled participation compared to the previous year.