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You are here: Marmot tours > Trip summaries > Tour de France MTB special
Tour de France Mountain biking SpecialAn unforgettable week of mountain biking and supporting the Tour de France |
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6 full days of guided MTB rides. |
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OVERVIEWThis special trip has been put together to appeal to Mountain biker's who are also keen supporters of the Tour de France. We combine 6 days of world class MTB with a couple of unforgettable days supporting the big race. We will be there to egg on the riders as they wind there way up the Col de Peyresourde and catch the bustle of the Grande Depart in Luchon.On the other 5 days of the trip you will be guided on some the best Mountain biking to be found anywhere in Europe. Due to the mountainous nature of the region, vehicle and cable car uplifts will be used whenever possible. The biking will be based on the week of MTB. The "Tour" theme will continue in the evenings, when we can follow the progress of the race on the Lodge TV... or head into town to lap up the atmosphere of a smoky bar! IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?This week is aimed at people who enjoy regular mountain biking and have had some exposure to single track. You will need to be reasonably fit to get the most from the week. It is not suitable for beginners to mountain biking or people in full body protection. If you enjoy riding a bike in beautiful surroundings, then get booking. Most of the riding is on unmade forest tracks or single-track. Most days there is well over 1000m of downhill and up to 600m of up. Approximate distances 35 to 50km per day, about 5-7 hours biking. Most days there are options for people who want to take it slightly easier. It is important to us that people book the correct trip. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have have any doubts.DATESTo be confirmed following publication of the 2008 Tour de France Route (Trip Code MFT H27)HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?The Trip costs £650, starting at Toulouse Airport (no discounts available).Flights can be picked up very cheaply if booked in advance. Expect to pay £40 return. Allow about £50 for drinks and the meals not included (outlined below). There are no other local payments or hidden costs. Please note that we offer a 5% discount if you book more than 3 months before the departure date. We also offer group and loyalty discounts. More Info >> WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?6 days guided rides. Airport Transfers (at specified times). Transfers up hill at the start of each day. Transfer over to Luchon to watch the tour. Informal riding instruction. Medical and Mechanical support. 6 nights in a private lodge in Ax. 1 night in a 2 star hotel in Luchon. 4 evening meals (with moderate wine), 7 breakfasts, 7 picnic lunches.WHERE DO WE STAYOur main base for the week is L'Alpage, a comfortable Lodge 15 mins walk uphill from the center of Ax. Alan, our host, creates a warm and relaxed atmosphere in his beautiful house. The spacious lounge and bar opens on to a panoramic south facing terrace - the perfect place to relax with a beer at the end of a great day in the hills! Accommodation is normally allocated on a twin share basis with shared facilities. In Luchon we stay in the 2 star Hotel Panoramic, right in the center of town where all the action will be taking place (also the provider of the best breakfast in France).FOOD7 substantial continental style breakfasts are included. Comprehensive picnic lunches will be provided which you will be expected to carry with you. 4 evenings meals are taken at the lodge, where we will be served regional specialties such as Confit du canard and Cassoulet. A moderate amount of wine is included with these meals. 2 evening meals are not included, giving you the opportunity to head into town where there are many fine French and International restaurants. Dinner on the first day is not included due to the differing arrival times of the group members. Vegetarians are welcome and will be looked after very well.GUIDING AND INSTRUCTIONYou are accompanied by James Thompson, who has over 8 years of experience of leading mountain biking trips around the world. James' quest for the "ultimate ride" ended when he stumbled across Ax three years ago. He now lives in the Valley and has an intimate knowledge of the regions single track. James is a competent mechanic and experienced First-aider. Informal instruction will be given for those wanting to improve their technique.GROUPThere is a maximum of 8 people (minimum 2) plus James and Cathy (driver) on this holiday. Bookings from single people are welcome as activity holidays are a great way to make new friends.TRANSPORT / SUPPORTEvery morning you will be transferred up to our ride start point in our private minibus which is fitted with a bike rack. James cycles with a comprehensive medical and tool kits, however if further assistance is needed the bus is only a phone call away. In Luchon we may use the cable car up to Superbagneres to get to the start of some of the descents.BIKE HIREIf you do not want to have the hassle of bringing your own bike; you can hire one from Marmot-Tours (and return it dirty at the end of the holiday). Marmot-Tours has a fleet of Specialised Rockhoppers Bikes with either 'Normal' of 'Disc' Brakes. There are no full suspension bikes available. For more information on hiring or packing up your own bike for travel please see the Bike Hire section.HOW DO I GET THERE?Toulouse Airport is only 1hr45mins form Ax by road. Minibus transfers at specified times are included in the cost of the holiday. Please see the Transport section for all travel options (air, road and rail), including how to get to the start point independently. If appropriate, please check out our section on travelling with a bike. |
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NOTES |
The itinerary remains flexible to accommodate for the weather conditions and the desires of the group. The rides described below are to give you an idea of what we could encounter during the week. There is a good months worth of world class rides to select from - James' biggest problem is trying to work out which rides to miss out!! We aim to be either at the lodge or in a bar with a TV by about 4pm so that we can keep up to date with the progress of the approaching peleton. |
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DAY 1 (sun) |
Transfer from Toulouse airport to our tour start point at Ax-les-Thermes. Assemble bikes and go for a few beers in town. Dinner tonight is not included due to the late arrival times of the group. |
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DAY 2 (mon) |
Chioula: This is one of the largest x-country skiing areas in the Pyrenees. Consequently it has a vast network of tracks which cross the plateau; perfect for us bikers. We could spend all week here, however today we enjoy the highlights. Naturally, the day ends with a wicked 800m single track descent into Ax. |
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DAY 3 (tues) |
Scaramus: A short climb onto a limestone plateau is rewarded with a roller coaster descent called the 'light fandango' into the village of Prades for a coffee. From here the aptly named 'twister' plunges us into the Ax valley to start at unrivaled 10km single track traverse back to the Lodge. |
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DAY 4 (wed) |
Valley of Ax: The ultimate valley ride! The many villages on the southern flanks of the Ax valley are overlooked by the picturesque "Route Des Corniches". However from most of the villages there is an ancient trail heading into the valley 500m below. Today we wind our way down, then back up the valley enjoying endless world class descents and lung busting climbs (can transfer most). In the evening we transfer over to Luchon. |
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DAY 5 (thurs) |
The Tour: Today will be one to remember - supporting The Tour on one of the most exciting days of this years race. The French take The Tour very seriously and the atmosphere will be electric. Today the tour starts in Tarbes and takes on the Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Portion and finishes by climbing up to the Spanish ski resort of Beret - A total distance of 208km. Fully fuled we will cycle up the Col de Peyresourde (950m climb, over 14km) and take up our positions by the roadside armed with banners and spray paint to await the caravan and riders! After they pass we will enjoy an epic single track descent to the bar in Oo where we can watch the stage ending on the TV. The fun is not over then as more single track takes us to Luchon, where most of the teams will be staying in preparing for the next day. Polka dot jerseys are essential wear tonight as we revel in a truly international crowd of tarmac heads! |
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DAY 6 |
Luchon - The Grande Depart: Watching the start of a stage is an exhilarating experience that is normally overlooked by most supporters. Throughout the night stages, banners and barricades are erected. We awake to watch team mechanics polishing every bearing, cycling heros warming up, and we may even come in arms reach as they go to sign in. After a frenzy of activity, it will all be over at by 11am, so we will spend the rest of the day enjoying a heady cocktail of the cable car assisted single track descents from the ski station of Superbagneres. We will watch the stage ending on TV before heading back to Ax. |
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DAY 7 (sat) |
The Cathar Trail: Cross-country riding doesn't get much better than this. From Prades we climb through the pine forests onto the most northerly ridge in the Pyrenean range, to pick up an awe inspiring trail that has been laid over many thousands of years. The views over the plain of the Cathar homeland are totally breathtaking. We will have the opportunity to stop off at a lake for a refreshing swim before enjoying some fast forest tracks, bring us back to the edge of the Ax valley for another epic descent. |
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DAY 8 (sun) |
Time to leave. After breakfast we transfer back to Toulouse trying to plan when you can come back for more!! |
