Ride all 4 Pyrenean stages of the 2010 Tour de France - fully suported. Challenges May and July 2010

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2010 Tour de France 4 Stage challenge

Ride all of the 2010 Pyrenean Tour de France Stages on consecutive days, including 2010's Etape route! A true challenge for any keen cyclist!


4 consecutive epic days of riding - a stage/day. Comfortable hotels / good food. 2 support vehicles throughout Outstanding mountain views. Follow the exact 2010 Pyrenean TDF route. A celebration of 100 years in the Pyrenees. Easy access from UK airports to Toulouse.
Read reviews from previous clients To other road cycling or mountain biking holidays

OVERVIEW

It is 100 years since the Tour de France first came to the Pyrenees so the organisers have decided to honour the mountain range by including some of the toughest stages of the tour, culminating with a mountain top finish on the Tourmalet.

All 4 Pyrenean stages are epic rides in their own rights, keeping to fairly quiet roads through some stunning scenery and including some infamous cols, so we have put together this challenge to give you the opportunity to get as close as you can to the experience of the pro's and see what it is like to ride these mountain stages day after day.

This is a unique and epic trip that could either be considered as training for other events (like the Etape) or the highlight of your cycling year (which it certainly will be). For those 'Raiders' amoungst you, it may interest you to know that these stages take in many of the same cols that you have done in your traverse, but in the opposite direction!!

THE ROUTE

This trip sticks exactly to the route that will be used by the Tour De France during its 2010 route.

Day 1: Fly to Toulouse and transfer to our hotel in Revel (1hr)

Day 2: Ride from Revel to Ax-3 Domaines. 184km with about 3050m of ascent.
Our challenge starts on the beautiful back roads taking us through vineyards and fields of sunflowers. In Quillan we join the river Aude, which we follow through a series of beautiful gorges to the base of the Col du Pailheres. At 2001m this col is a beast; it is however a beautiful climb on a narrow road with some some fantastic switchbacks. Next up is a wonderful descent to Ax before the final relentless climb up to the ski station of Bonascre. We spend the night in Ax-les-Thermes (the base of Marmot Tours)

Day 3: Ride from Pamiers to Luchon. 187km with about 2830m of ascent.
To remain true to the TdF route, we begin the day by taking the train to Pamiers (40mins). Again the stage starts with some wonderful riding through the villages of Ariege. In Maz D'Azil the route takes us underground for about 400m past stalactites and stalagmites! From St Girons we climb gently over the Col de Portet D'Aspet not forgetting to pay our respects to Fabio Caserteli (who died on the descent in 1995). After a sneaky coffee stop on the Col des Ares we take on the final climb of the day, the Port De Bales. Surfaced for the Tour in 2008 it is a hard climb with constantly changing gradients, but nice views and a wonderful descent into Luchon.

Day 4: Ride from Luchon to Pau. 196km with about 4400m of ascent.
This is one of the hardest TDF stages for many years, being just shy of 200km with 4 epic climbs! The is no warm up today as we go straight into the Peyresourde, our efforts are rewarded by a cafe serving up delicious pancakes. Onto the Col d'Aspin, and the most beautiful climb of the trip before the Tourmalet - a 'hill' that needs no introduction. The long descent to Argeles will undoubtedly be spoilt by the fact that you will have to ride back up that way tomorrow - it is however a lot of fun! The Soulor and Aubisque are the next in line before a 50 km descent to Pau.

Day 5: Ride from Pau to the Col du Tourmalet. 174km with about 3950m of ascent.
Fortunately we have another preamble to get to the base of the Marie-Blanc - a hill which will certainly test your gear rations! Then there is a bit of respite before heading back over the Soulor and grinding your way all the way back up the Col du Tourmalet from the other side!. From here we roll down to our hotel in Aregeles-Gazost for a celebratory dinner!

Day 6: Transfer back to Toulouse airport (2hrs).

IS THIS HOLIDAY FOR ME?

This trip is a serious cycling challenge and you need to be in very good shape to enjoy and get the most out of it. Consecutive days of riding takes their toll, and when covering these kinds of distances and ascents, you need to have a very good base of fitness and experience in the saddle. As a point of reference, we consider this challenge to be harder than the Raid Pyrenean, one of our other supported trips. As with the Raid, you are able to pace yourself during the day and as long as you arrive at the destination hotel before nightfall, then that is fine by us, but it is worth pointing out that due to the distances involved, you do need to be able to maintain a certain pace in order to cover the kilometres each day. However, with our 2 vehicles for support, will be able to offer support and encouragement to everyone on the road (and are happy to offer lifts to those wanting one).

We do recommend that people coming on this trip would have undergone a training programme beforehand. It can be difficult finding extended climbs for the training in the UK, but generally if you can build up your comfort in doing long daily distances, and your stamina, then you will really benefit when it comes to cycling these kinds of routes

If you are looking for more of a cycling 'holiday' rather than a challenge as such, then please look at our Classic Cols trip which takes in many of the classic climbs but is flexible enough to allow you to cycle an 'easier' basic route or a more challenging 'optional extra' route.

It is important to us that people book the correct holiday. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have have any doubts.

DATES

Monday 24 May - Saturday 29 May 2010 (Trip Code RFS J22)
Sunday 11 July - Friday 16 July 2010 (Trip Code RFS J29)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The holiday costs £700, starting at Toulouse Airport. Flights are not included but can be picked up fairly cheaply if booked in advance. 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 (bring the cost down to £665.00). We also offer group and loyalty discounts.

WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?

4 days supported road biking. Airport Transfers (at specified times). Detailed route notes and altitude profiles. Vehicle support from 2 vehicles. Medical and mechanical support. Services of 2 English (French speaking) tour leaders during the trip. 5 nights 2 star Hotel accommodation. 5 evening meals with table wine, 5 substantial breakfasts. Cycling snacks and fruit during the ride.
NB. There will also be included a 'Marmot-tours' cycling top as an introductory offer for NEW Marmot Tours clients.

WHERE DO WE STAY

We stay in a range of 2 star hotels with ensuite facilities. The hotels have been selected for their location and for their attitude to cyclists (and their stomachs!) Accommodation will be allocated on a twin share basic unless you book a single room (supplement of £125). There is a garage / locked room where we can store the bikes every night.

FOOD

Breakfast: Continental style breakfasts are provided by the hotels. We supplement these with cereals and fruit.
Lunches: These are not included so you can choose your own diet while cycling. We recommend suitable places en route depending on individuals pace.
Dinner: The 5 evenings meals will be taken together either at the hotel or a suitable restaurant in town. All the 3 or 4 course meals will be tailored to the requirement of cyclists and the portions are very generous. Table wine and after dinner teas and coffees are also included.
Snacks: Cereal bars, cakes, banana's and other snacks for during the day are included in our price and will be distributed by the 2 support vans. However we suggest you bring your own favourite energy powders/gels/bars with you as these will not be easily available en route.
Special diets: The hotels are very used to providing excellent meals for vegetarians and coeliacs. Please contact us if you have any other special dietary requirements

GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION

You are accompanied by a 2 experienced tour leaders, James and Nathan, with mechanical and first-aid training. 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. One tour leader will be driving the support vehicle near the rear of the group, offering support and lifts up (or down) the hills as needed, and the other will be at the front of the group and will ensure that all luggage is at the hotels before you arrive. You can expect to see a support vehicle between 5 and 10 times per day, so you do not need to carry much on your bike.

GROUP

There is a maximum of 20 people (minimum 8) plus the leaders 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. They will intercept the group where possible offering moral support and morale boosting (should it be required!) medical / mechanical assistance as well as a lift up the hills (if you would like it). Bags are naturally transported from hotel to hotel. There is space for 8 people in the minibus at one time.

BIKE SUITABILITY

If you are bringing your own bike, then we have the facility to transport your bike boxes from the start to the finish of the trip, regardless of if it is a soft bag, a cardboard box or a hard box. If you not sure how to pack your bike, or do not have a bike box, then check out Bike Box Online for hire of boxes and professional bike packing.

If however, you do not want to have the hassle of bringing your own bike or need more gears; you can hire a bike from Marmot Tours. We have Specialized Allez Sport bikes available for £100 or Carbon Time bikes for £180. This 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

HOW DO I GET THERE?

We get people coming on our holidays from all over the world, so it is impossible to include all the information on our website. The notes below are tailored to travellers from the UK. People from other countries please contact us for advice.

Free minibus transfers to / from Toulouse or Carcassonne Airports are offered to tie in with the flights listed below from London and Bristol. It is a 1 hr transfer from Toulouse Airport to our start point in and a 2.5hrs drive back to Toulouse Airport from our end point of Argeles Gazost. It is a 30 mins transfer from Carcassonne Airport to our start point in and a 3 hrs 15 mins drive back to Carcassonne Airport from our end point of Argeles Gazost.

If it is easer for you to take a flight that arrives before or after our transfer then you will need to make your own way to Revel / from Argeles Gazost. Alternatively you could extend your holiday by arriving the day before and spending an afternoon / evening exploring the vibrant and ornate red bricked city of Toulouse. We would pick you up from your hotel on the morning of our transfer.

Please see the t ransport section of our website for all travel options (air, road and rail) plus information on getting to / from the start / end hotels independently of the group transfer from Toulouse / Carcassonne Airports.

We would like to emphasise that for this road cycling challenge the train is cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to air travel. It also ensures that your bike does not get waylaid or damaged in transit. Please see our Green Travel pages.

Airport transfers:
For this holiday we offer two airport transfers which tie in with the flights listed below. If any of these flights are delayed then the transfer will naturally be rescheduled. People arriving on the earlier of the flights will be expected to wait at the airport (max 2hrs 30 mins) for the later flights to arrive and conversely at the end of the trip those on the later flight may be at the airport a few hours before they need to be. Please note that flight times for each trip are different

Monday 24 May - Saturday 29 May 2010 (Trip Code RFS J22)
Easy Jet flights from Bristol.
OUT: departs Bristol at 1205, arrives Toulouse at 1455.
IN: departs Toulouse at 1555, arrives Bristol at 1640.

Easy Jet flights from London Gatwick.
OUT: departs Gatwick at 0635, arrives Toulouse at 0920.**
OUT: departs Gatwick at 1410, arrives Toulouse at 1655.
IN: departs Toulouse at 0930, arrives Gatwick at 1015.
** If you arrive on this early flight we will be able to transfer you direct to the hotel to do a warm up ride (numbers dependant - please ask before booking).
British Airways flights from London Heathrow.
OUT: departs Heathrow at 1415, arrives Toulouse at 1710.
IN: departs Toulouse at 1200, arrives Heathrow at 1250.

Sunday 11 July - Friday 16 July 2010 (Trip Code RFS J29)
Easy Jet flights from Bristol.
OUT: departs Bristol at 1305, arrives Toulouse at 1620.
IN: departs Toulouse at 1520, arrives Bristol at 1605.

Air Lingus Flights from Dublin to Toulouse.
OUT: departs Dublin 1300, arrives Toulouse 1605.
In: departs Toulouse 1640, arrives Dublin 1745.

Easy Jet flights from London Gatwick.
OUT: departs Gatwick at 1410, arrives Toulouse at 1655.
IN: departs Toulouse at 0950, arrives Gatwick at 1035.
or departs Toulouse at 1720, arrives Gatwick at 1805.

British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Toulouse.
OUT: departs Heathrow at 1415, arrives Toulouse at 1710.
IN: departs Toulouse at 1200, arrives Heathrow at 1250.

Ryan Air from East Midlands to Carcassonne.
OUT: depart East Midlands 1300, arrives Carcassonne 1600.
IN: depart Carcassonne 1050, arrive East Midlands 1200.

Please see the Transport section for more information on airlines, airport transfers and travelling with a bike (there is no specific section for this trip).