Classic Cols of the Tour de France
Put on your polka dot jersey and cycle some classic
road cols in breathtaking scenery of the Pyrenees, France.
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OVERVIEW
The Pyrenees, France, are beautiful. Every year the worlds fittest athletes visit
the region to fight for the polka dot jersey on the gravity defying
roads that link the valley bottoms. During this cycling holiday we
traverse the
region, riding all the classic cols, but at a pace that enables us
to take in the scenery and sample a glass of the local wine in
rustic village bars along the way.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
The week has been put together to appeal to all Tour enthusiasts. Distance between
hotels is manageable for most people, and every day the Armstrong's
of the group can take in a few extra challenging cols and stage endings.
The support vehicle will never be far away, offering mechanical help,
refreshments and lifts up (or down) the hills. The distances /
ascent of our basic route is listed below, but it is possible to do
up to 3000m of ascent every day! The trip is even suitable
for non-cycling partners who want to enjoy exploring this beautiful
part of the world. The days get progressively more challenging.
It is important to us that people book the correct trip. Please do
not hesitate to contact us if you
have have any doubts.
DATES
Sun 16th Sept - Sun 23rd Sept 2007 (Trip code RFP G37),
Sun 29th June - Sun 6th July 2008 (Trip code RFP H26),
Sun 31st Aug - Sun 7 Sept 2008 (Trip code RFP H35),
Sun 21st Sept - Sun 28th Sept 2008 (Trip code RFP H38).
We only run these trip at the times of year when the weather is
perfect for road cycling, avoiding the heat and busy roads of July
and August.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The land only price for the classic cols trip is £659. Allow about £100 for the meals not included and drinks (depending
on your thirst). 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 nights 2-star hotels, 1 night 1- star hotel. 6 evening meals and 7 breakfasts.
WHERE DO WE STAY
We stay in comfortable 2-star hotels
where accommodation will be allocated on a twin share basis with private
facilities. Rooms normally have private facilities, but depending
on season and group size, we may have up to 3 people per room. With
larger groups we can not guarantee that we will all be staying in
the same hotel, however we will always eat together.
FOOD
Food is very important on this trip and most restaurants have a special
menu for cyclists, ensuring large portions of fine local cuisine.
Each region we pass through has its own specialties and due to our
proximity to Catalonia we can expect a slight Spanish flair on some
nights. Evening meals are taking in the hotel or nearby restaurants
and will be generally be 3 courses. Breakfasts are continental style.
Lunches are not included, giving you the flexibility to select your
own diet. There are lots of bakeries and small restaurants en route.
One of the evening meals in Luchon is not included, giving you the
opportunity to head into town and try out one of the many fine restaurants.
GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION
You are accompanied by James Thompson and / or
Cathy Durbridge.
It is not expected that the group will
stay together, so you will be given comprehensive notes, with directions,
altitude profiles and details of the night's hotel. James or Cathy will be driving
the support vehicle near the rear of the group, offering support and
lifts up (or down) the hills as needed.
TRANSPORT
Throughout the cycling holiday you are supported by a minibus fitted with a bike
rack. It will intercept the group where possible offering medical
/ mechanical assistance as well as a lift up the hills (if you would
like it). Bags are naturally transported from hotel to hotel.
BIKE HIRE
If you do not want to have the hassle of bringing your own bike, you can
hire either a Commencal Colt
or Specialized Allez Sport
for £90. You will need to reserve
one on booking. For more information on hiring or packing up your
own bike for travel please see the Bike
Hire section. Your own bike should have a triple at the front and
a rear cassette suitable for the mountains - if in doubt about your
own bikes suitability please ask.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
Minibus transfers at specified times are included in the cost of the
holiday. Please see the Transport
for all travel options (air, road and rail) plus information on
getting to the start point, the Hostellerie de la Poste,
independently of the group transfer from Toulouse Airport.
Airport transfers are included on this trip and will be arranged to tie in
with the following flights:
British Airways from London Gatwick:
Out: Wednesday 9th July, departing Gatwick at 1345 and arriving in
Toulouse at 1630.
In: Wednesday 16th July,
departing Toulouse at 1705 and arriving in Gatwick at 1750.
Easyjet
from Bristol:
Out: Wednesday 9th July, departing Gatwick at
1325 and arriving in
Toulouse at 1615.
In: Wednesday 16th July,
departing Toulouse at 1640 and arriving in Bristol at 1725.
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| HOLIDAY ITINERARY
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DAY 1
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Fly to Toulouse (midday flight), then an hour's transfer
to Tarascon. Bike assembly, or sorting out hire bikes. Tarascon
is a pretty town
with an interesting castle and lots of nice bars - the perfect place to start
our Tour.
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DAY 2
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Nice gentle introduction!! We warm up in the
immediate area of Tarascon, where we prepare
for our first big up hill - Col de Port (1250m, 770m climb over
15km, 2nd category). The villages and constant views of
Les Trois Seigneurs accompany us to the top, from where we descend quickly
to Massat for a well deserved lunch. From here there are
several options, but all roads lead to the charming market town of St
Girons, where we spend the next 2 nights. Basic route distance:
68km. Total
up: 800m. Option of extending the day by adding on the Col de Agnes, only another 1000m!!
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DAY 3
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From our base at St Girons there are many
excellent rides available. We start the day gradually climbing up to the Col de
Latrap (1110m, 376m climb over 5km, 3rd category).
From here you can take in the grueling stage ending of Guzet-Neige
(extra 600m up/down, 1st category). The fun does not end there as we wind up
through high pastures to Col de la Core (1395m, 885m climb over
13.4km,1st category). Basic route distance: 96km. Total up:
1605m.
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DAY 4
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Fully fuelled we are ready to take on two of the most popular cols
in the Pyrenees. Climbing gently through ancient farmsteads, we barely notice the incline to the Col du Portet d'Aspet (1075m, 535m
climb over 5.8km, 2nd category). A short descent through
mixed forest (watch out for bears!) prepares us for the never
ending Col de Mente (1345m, 716m climb over 7km, 1st category). After a nice winding descent we can stretch our legs with a very gentle (almost flat) finale into the bustling spar town of
Luchon. There is however the option of heading into Spain and
ticking off the Col de Portillon (1293m, 630m of climbing). Basic
route distance:
63.7km. Total up: 1430m.
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DAY 5
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Day in Luchon, giving us an opportunity to rest aching limbs in
the thermal baths. Alternatively, why not try paragliding, 'Le Hot
Dog' (inflatable canoe) or mountain biking. The die hard Tour enthusiast
could take in the stage end of Superbagneres (1100m climb) or the
Port de Bales (surfaced for the 2007 Tour de France).
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DAY 6
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The toughest day of our tour. Starting with the Col de
Peyresourde (1565m, 829m climb over 13km, 1st category), even the support bus struggles up this one! The incentive
to get to the top comes in the form of a cafe, selling fine pastries.
Those that hate their bodies could take in the stage end of Val Loron
(750m climb over 8.5km, 1st category). Next up is the Col de
Aspin (1490m,789m climb over 12.1km, 1st category)
where large horned goats have been known to charge flagging cyclists! A
spectacular down hill takes us the small but faintly bizarre town of Campan.
Basic route distance: 64km. Total up: 1700m
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DAY 7
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The big boy - it just has to be done! The punishing Col du
Tourmalet (2115m, 1269m over 17.1km, H Category)-its worth it for the photo!! From here we can enjoy a 35km down
hill all the way to our finishing line at Argeles Gazost. Those with
some energy could always make a slight detour up to Luz-Ardiden.
(1735m,1000m climb over 13.4km, H Category). Basic route
distance:60km.
Total up: 1515m
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DAY 8
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A free morning to take it easy, visit the marmot sanctuary and
pack up the bikes. However the really keen would have time to take in the stage end of Hautacam, (1618m, 1200m climb over 13.5km, H
Category) or the good old Aubisque. After lunch we transfer 2.5 hrs to
Toulouse. Arriving in Gatwick in the early evening full of admiration
for the 'real tour' cyclists, who cover our entire route in one day!!
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