MARMOT-TOURS NEWSLETTER - No. 2 - April 2004

Includes:
Special Trip - Tour de France Supporters MTB Week.
Snowshoe expedition planned for 2005
Long Weekend of Mountain biking - ladies special
Biking and wine tasting - false friends?
Your photos are on the web
Biking gear on the web
May bank holiday weekend - don't stay at home

I hope that you have had a good Easter break and are now planning fun and frolics for the coming summer.

We have had a fantastic winter in the Pyrenees, lots of snow and sun, which has been excellent. Summer is on its way, so I thought it time to remind you know what is going on with Marmot-Tours so that you can take advantage of the early bookers discount.

It is now the biking season, so apologies to walkers who find this newsletter a bit irrelevant - or get into biking!!!

Tour de France Special Mountain Biking Week
The Tour de France is arguably the greatest race of the year; it is definitely the event that touches the hearts of more than any other. The entire route is lined with people, old and young of all shapes and sizes, out to soak up the atmosphere of "the people's race". It is not just about watching the competitors, but it is a great day out - a real French celebration. On the 17th July this year the Athletes will take on the grueling 1200m climb up to the x-country ski resort of the 'Plateaux de Beille' to end an epic 200km mountain day - We will be there armed with banners and cow bells to egg them on.

Spending a day watching the tour is a good enough reason to head down to the Pyrenees, but when it is combined with 5 days of world class biking, you would be a fool not to be here. More info can be found on http://www.marmot-tours.co.uk/summaries/mft.htm

Tough snowshoe expedition planned for next winter
After a fantastic winter exploring the mountains around Ax, I have come up with the ultimate "tough" trip for non-skiers. This snowshoe expedition involves a couple of day trips to take in some pointy peaks on the Andorran boarder followed by a 3-day expedition into the heart of the mountains. This is one of the wildest places in France and the feeling of remoteness is overwhelming - I spent 2 weeks exploring and did not see another track! Our route takes us along ridges, up peaks and through snow covered forests. The tough bit is that the Modern Mountain Refuges are unmanned in winter, so we need to carry everything with us!! This is not as bad as it seems as the winter quarters of the refuges are well stocked with blankets and 8 people soon warm the place up. The details are not yet on the web, but keep it in mind for next March.

Long Weekend of biking for Women - Interested?
I have had a few ladies asking if I would be run a biking weekend in Ax just for women. I have a few free dates and would be more than happy to offer some excellent riding with tuition and bike maintenance tips. Before I commit, please let me know if this is the kind of thing that interests you. (No men need reply!!)

Biking and Wine tasting - False Friends?
One of the nice things about running my own company is that I can put together trips, which I enjoy myself. Two of my favorite things are exploring the countryside on a bike and drinking fine wine - hence my Atlantic to the Mediterranean bike tour was born. The concept of traversing a country in 8 days linking the wine regions of Armagnac, Minervois, Courbiers and Aude appeals on paper, but is even better in reality. Over the Easter break I was on my bike checking out the route (and vineyards) for the first trip at the end of May. I was helped by a strong tail wind that speeded me through constantly changing countryside. The striking thing about this trip is the variety of landscape that you bisect. It has everything form ancient pine forests to fields of sunflowers, the architecture changes dramatically with the wealth of the region as we pass wood beamed farmsteads and majestic chateaux - It is a great biking journey, which anyone who can ride a bike would enjoy. There are still a few places left on the May departure. More info can be found on http://www.marmot-tours.co.uk/summaries/rfc.htm

Photos are now on the Web
If you sent in your snaps from a past trip, I have now put them on the web.

On-line biking Shop
I have been hunting for a good online biking shop and have come across bike dock. I would recommend their service. Check out http://www.bikedock.com/

May Bank holiday Biking weekend
There is only one place left on this trip for a female biker. The rest of the Group are in their mid to late 30's and it is looking as if having as much fun as possible is firmly on the agenda. Check out http://www.marmot-tours.co.uk/summaries/mfw.htm. There are also places on the full week of biking in mid May.

That's all for now. Have a good spring

Cheers

James

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