OVERVIEW
The Etape de Tour is the biggest and most prestigious cyclosportive on the
calendar. Every year 8500 riders take on the challenge of riding an actual
Tour de France stage with closed roads, feeding stations and support
cars!
In 2008 the Etape is yet again in the Pyrenees, following the route of
stage 10 from Pau to Hautacam, via the infamous Tourmalet.
Marmot Tours has been running cycling holidays in the Pyrenees for the
past 5 years. This year we have teamed up this year with Ron and the Etape.org.uk
website and drawn on our experience to put together
an all inclusive package including transport and accommodation, so that
all you need to worry about is turning the peddles. We are not official
tour operators for the Etape, so cannot provide entry places, and so this
package is only open to people who have already secured a place.
We have decided to base ourselves in the pretty mountain town of
Argeles Gazost at the base of the climb to Hautacam, so that all you have
to do at the end of the ride is roll down the hill for your much needed
shower and beer (not necessarily in that order).
We will pick you up from the airport, take you to the sign in village,
drive you around the route the day before the event (optional), kit you
out with a Marmot Tours cycling jersey and take you back to the airport
after the big day. Really all you will need to worry about is eating, sleeping
and cycling.
Full details of 'how it works' are at the base of this page.
DATES
Friday 4 July - Monday 7 July 2008 (Trip Code RFE H26)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The trip costs 340 GBP, starting and finishing at Toulouse
Airport. 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?
Transfers (at specific times) from Toulouse Airport to Argeles Gazost,
Transport to sign in at Pau on the Saturday, transport around the Etape
route on the Saturday, transport to the start in Pau on the morning of the
Etape, 3 nights in the 2 Star 'Hotel des Fleurs in Argeles Gazost' (on
twin / triple share basis). 2 evening meals, 1 normal breakfast, 1
special breakfast on the day of the Etape. Marmot Tours cycling jersey. Assistance
/ help from Cathy and James throughout your stay.
FOOD
We know Argeles Gazost very well and are confident to say that we will
take our evening meals in the best place in town. The meal on Saturday
night will be tailored to our needs. There is a normal continental
breakfast on the Saturday and we will supply a special breakfast at 4am on
the day of the etape. No lunches are included.
WHERE DO WE STAY
During this weekend there are thousands of competitors, event organizers,
press officials and spectators fighting over a very limited number of
hotel rooms. We block booked our accommodation before the Etape route was released to the
public to ensure that we have the perfect location. The Hotel des Fleurs
is in the center of Argeles Gazost with great views of the Hautacm climb!
Rooms will be allocated on a twin or triple share basis depending on the demographics of the
group. Early bookers will get the best rooms. There are no single
rooms available.
GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION
You are accompanied by an 2 experienced tour leaders, James and
Cathy, with mechanical
and first-aid training, they will be with you throughout the weekend
to help in any way possible.
GROUP
There is a maximum of 16 people (minimum 8) plus James and Cathy on
this holiday. Bookings from single people are welcome as activity
holidays are a great way to make new friends.
TRANSPORT / SUPPORT
Throughout the trip you are supported by 2 minibuses fitted with bike
racks which will ensure that you bikes do not get damaged in transit.
There will be a full range of tools / track pumps available for you to
use.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
Please
see the Transport section for
more information on airlines and traveling with
a bike.
This trip has been put together to tie in with all the flights from the
UK, however we favor BA as they take bikes for free and in the event of
your bike not coming on the same flight, they will deliver it to the
Hotel.
Out to France: BA 7955, dpt Gatwick at 2010, arrive Toulouse at 2250.
Back to UK: BA 7952, dpt Toulouse at 1035, arrive Gatwick at 1120.
BIKE HIRE
If you do not want to have the hassle of bringing your own bike; you can
hire one in France. We have both Commencal Colt (Andorran brand) or
Specialized Allez Sport bikes available. Bike hire must be arranged in
advance as there are limited bikes (and sizes) available. For more
information on hiring or packing up your own bike for travel please see
the Bike Hire section.
| ETAPE
DU TOUR HOLIDAY ITINERARY 2008 |
|
Notes:
|
If you would prefer to fly out on Thursday 3rd July a transfer and
an extra nights B&B can be arranged for an extra 90 GBP
|
|
DAY 1
Fri 4th
|
Fly from the UK to Toulouse airport to our tour start point.
The airport transfer will be made to tie in with the
evening BA flight arriving at Toulouse at 2250. This gives you the
option of using any flight provided by any of the other airlines. The
transfer to Argeles Gazost takes 2hrs 15 mins.
|
|
DAY 2
Sat 5th
|
There will be time to assemble bikes in the morning.
There is a bike shop in Argeles Gazost, so in the event of any
mechanicals, we can sort these out. We recommend a short ride
to check that the bike is working properly.
After lunch we will transfer 1hr to the welcome
village in Pau to sign in and pick up your race numbers etc. We will
then drive back to Argeles Gazost following the route of the Etape
over the Tourmalet.
In the evening there will be a high calorie meal
taken in a nearby restaurant.
|
|
DAY 3
Sun 6th
|
The Big Day. The race starts at 0700 in Pau and we
need to be in position at 0600 in order to get a good place in the
line up. We have arranged with the hotel to provide a high
calorie breakfast at 0400 (this is actually a very good time to be
eating, in terms of energy). We will then leave the hotel at 0430
giving us plenty of time to do the 60 mins journey to the start.
Enjoy the ride to Hautacam.
At the end of the race, lap up the atmosphere at the
finish and then all you need to do is roll down the hill to the
hotel.
Dinner will be taken at a local restaurant at 2000.
|
|
DAY 4
Mon 7th
|
Transport back to Toulouse Airport.
We depart Argeles Gazost at 0645 for the 2hr 15 mins
journey back to Toulouse Airport, arriving at 0900 in time for all
the flights back to the UK.
British Airways to Gatwick departs Toulouse at 1035
|
|
To
detailed itinerary