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 holiday to give you the opportunity to ride the highlights
of these stages as well as catching the live Tour action 3 times.
We did
some cunning reservations of hotels prior to the route announcement and so
are pleased to be able to offer a great route for 2010. Including all the
best cols: Col du Pailheres, Portet d’Aspet, Port de Bales, Col du
Tourmalet (dare I say, in both directions!), Col d’Aubisque and a Marmot
Tours first, the Marie Blanc, you are spoilt rotten. You would not think
that with all that cycling that we would have any time to watch the pro’s,
but fear not! We get to see them first on the Col du Pailheres, then for
a great Ariege stage start in Pamiers, and last but definitely not least,
we will be setting up the Marmot Tours hospitality suite (!) on the Col du
Tourmalet for the ‘sure to be EPIC’ stage finish on Thurs 22nd
July. With a
barbeque lunch and satellite coverage of the approaching riders, we are
sure to be the envy of the other supporters.
If
this has whet your appetite then please read the trip itinerary below.
OUR TOUR ROUTE
On every day it is our intention to be in a Bar / Cafe
in time to catch the last 30 mins of the Tour de France live on TV.
Saturday 17th July: Fly to Toulouse or Carcassonne and transfer to our hotel in
Quillan
For this holiday we are providing transfers from
both Toulouse or Carcassonne airports offering a range of routes from
the UK and beyond. The transfer time are 2hrs and 45 mins
respectively. If flying into Carcassonne there is the possibility of
riding from the airport to the hotel through the vinyards of the Aude
Valley. We start our tour in the attractive town of Quillan. There
will be a briefing about all aspect of holiday before dinner in the
Hotel. 2 star Hotel in Quillan.
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Sunday 18th July: Ride from Quillan to Ax les
Thermes. Watch the Tour.
With The Tour riders hot on our tail we set
off up 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 staggeringly narrow road with some some fantastic
switchbacks. The atmosphere will be electric with camper vans lining
the road cheering you on to the summit. Depending on your aspirations
you could either watch the tour from here (great views of the riders
way below) or press on to the stage end in the ski station of Ax
Bonascre. Whatever you decide to do, you are guaranteed an amazing day
out. We will be spending the night in Ax-les Thermes (the base of
Marmot Tours) so we will have the opportunity to see the team
mechanics preparing the bikes for next day and may even have the
chance to talk to some of the riders. 2 star Hotel in
Ax-les-Thermes.
Basic Route: Quillan to Ax-les-Thermes: 68km with 1715m ascent.
Challenging Route: Quillan to Ax -3 Domaines to Ax-les-Thermes:
88km with 2320m ascent.
TODAY'S TOUR DE FRANCE ROUTE - STAGE 14: |
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Monday 19th July: Watch the stage start in Pamiers,
Ride to St Girons
Today's Tour de France stage start is in Pamiers at
about 11am and we are going to be there to see them off. Whether you
ride or take the train to Pamiers you will arrive in plenty of time to
wander the streets and watch the race preparations. A stage start is a
real buzz and we will have the opportunity of getting within arms
reach of the competitors as they come to the stage to sign in before
the tense silence of the starting line. Once they have headed off, it
is then our chance to take up the pursuit, however our plan is ride
the town of St Girons to watch the Tour riders finish on the stage on
the TV. The 73km undulating ride takes us through some stunning
scenery and in Maz D'Azil the route takes us underground for about
400m past stalactites and stalagmites! 1 star Hotel in St Girons.
Basic Route: Pamiers to St Girons: 73km with about 400m ascent.
Challenging Route: Ax-les-Thermes to Pamiers to St Girons:
131.5km with 500m ascent.
TODAY'S TOUR DE FRANCE ROUTE - STAGE 15: |
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Tuesday 20th July: Ride from St Girons to Luchon.
Having spent the night in Luchon the competitors take
on the toughest day of this years Tour de France over the mountains
that we will take on later in the week. We however have some
catching up to do, so today we continue on the exact route the
competitors did yesterday. This takes up 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.
2 star Hotel in Luchon.
Basic Route: St Girons to Luchon (via Port de Bales): 114km
with about 2400m ascent.
Easier Route: St Girons to Luchon (missing out the Port de
Bales): 88km with 1115m ascent.
TODAY'S TOUR DE FRANCE ROUTE - STAGE 16: |
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Wednesday 21st July: Ride from Luchon to Argeles
Gazost.
While the competitors are taking a rest day in Pau
we embark on the hardest day of our tour. There is no warm up today as
we go straight into the Peyresourde, our efforts are rewarded by a
cafe serving up delicious pancakes (option of a lift up to this
point). Unfortunately we cannot linger too long as the undeniably
beautiful Col d'Aspin beckons. Next up we take on the Eastern side the
Col du Tourmalet (2115) - a 'hill' that needs
no introduction. The long descent to Argeles will possibly be spoilt
by the knowledge that you will have to ride back up that way tomorrow
- it is however a lot of fun! 2 star Hotel in Argeles Gazost.
Basic Route: Luchon to Argeles Gazost: 108km with about 2940m
ascent.
Easier Route: Col du Peyresourde to Argeles Gazost: 97km with
2000m ascent. (lift up 1st climb)
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Thursday 22nd July: Watch the Tourmalet stage end.
Today the competitors wind their way over the Marie
blanc, the Aubisque and the stage culminates with the ascent of the
mighty Tourmalet. It is the final mountain stage of the tour and it is
likely that whoever is in yellow at the end of this stage will wearing
it down the Champs-Elysees.
From our base in Argeles Gazost, we can afford a more leisurely
morning before heading back up the western flanks of the Tourmalet.
There will be time to check out the stage ending before descending to
the 'Marmot Tours hospitality suite' for a barbeque lunch and
live satellite TV coverage of the approaching cyclists with English
commentary. [We will reserve the best spot at the beginning of July in
the top 5km of the climb]. It is bound to be an exceptionally
exciting stage! After all the action is over we ride back to our
hotel. 2 star Hotel in Argeles Gazost.
Basic Route: Argeles Gazost to Tourmalet and
back: 80 km with 1658m ascent.
TODAY'S TOUR DE FRANCE ROUTE - STAGE 17: |
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Friday 23st July: Ride from Argeles Gazost to Arudy
After an amazing finale, the Tour de France turns
it back on the Pyrenees and heads north towards Bordeaux. We however
have unfinished business - the Aubisque and the Marie Blanc! The
climbing starts from the door of the hotel and despite a little
respite after the Col du Soulor it culminates on a narrow road that
clings tentatively to the mountain side. The views from the Aubisque
are among the best in the Pyrenees and the descent a lot of fun. There
is the option of ending your trip here, however, if you want to take
in the Marie Blanc we take a road that undulates around the north of
the mountain so that we can climb the Western side (as done by the
Tour the day before). With gradients exceeding 10% for most of the
climb, it is a brute, however the sense of achievement will be immense
and it is a fitting end to our Tour de France. 2 star Hotel in
Arudy.
Basic Route: Argeles Gazost to Arudy (Aubisque
/ Marie blanc): 107km with 2400m ascent.
Easier Route: Argeles Gazost to Arudy (Aubisque only): 58km
with 1368m ascent. |
Saturday 24th July: Transfer to Toulouse / Pau
airports
After an amazing week it is time to part company. We
will be offering lifts to Pau for the return flights to Stansted or
back to Toulouse for other destinations. |
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
This
week is aimed at Tour de France enthusiasts who want to have a memorable
and thoroughly enjoyable week cycling and spectating in a stunning part of
France. It is not intended to be a competition and the daily rides can be
done at your own pace. In addition there are optional extras for those
wanting a greater challenge and easier route for those wanting to take it
more easily. You will however need to be relatively fit as
the average distance is 80km with approx 1340m of ascent each day (max
2000m). The daily distances are manageable with our longest basic
route
being 97km. There is always the option of the support vehicle if you
desire a lift up (or down) any of the hills (except on Day 2 and Day 6) 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
Saturday 17th July - Saturday 24th July 2010 (Trip Code RFT J30)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The holiday costs £880, starting at Toulouse Airport (or starting
Carcassonne, ending Pau). 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. We also offer group and loyalty discounts.
WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?
6 days road biking. Airport Transfers (at specified times). Detailed
route notes with altitude profiles of climbs. Colour Maps. 2 Support vehicles support. Medical and mechanical support. Services
of 2 English (French speaking) tour leader during the trip. 7 nights
Hotel. 7 evening meals. Wine with dinner, 7 substantial breakfasts.
Tourmalet 'hospitality suite' includes satellite TV and Barbeque lunch.
WHERE DO WE STAY
During this week there are thousands of competitors, tour organizers,
press officials and spectators fighting over a very limited number of
hotel rooms. We block booked all our accommodation for the week on the day
the tour route was released to the public. Due to our reputation we have
managed to secure 2 star hotels with private facilities on all nights with
the exception of day 3, where we stay in a perfectly located 1 star hotel
with private facilities. Rooms will
normally be allocated on a twin share basis, however it may be necessary
for some triple rooms, depending on the demographics of the group.
There are no single rooms available on this trip.
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: 6 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.
Snacks: Cereal bars and fruit are included in the price and will be
distributed by the support van. 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
meals for vegetarians and coeliacs. Please
contact us if you have any other special dietary requirements.
GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION
You are accompanied by an 2 experienced tour leaders, 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. On most days you will see a support van 5 to 10 times.
Please note we are unable to offer any vehicle support on day 2 or 6 of
this trip as the roads are closed to vehicles due to Tour riders.
GROUP
There is a maximum of 20 people (minimum 8) plus 2 leaders on
this holiday. Bookings from single people are welcome as activity
holidays are a great way to make new friends (you will be paired up
with someone of the same gender).
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 bags / boxes will be taken to the end hotel
during the week.
BIKE SUITABILITY
This trip is best suited to a road bike - as this is what they were
invented for! If bringing your own bike please ensure that it has a
suitable gear ratio for the mountains (a front triple is highly recommended
unless you are a very strong cyclist). Touring or mountain bikes with slick tyres
would be fine for this trip, however, due to their weight, you will find it
harder. We have the facilities to transfer your bike boxes from
the start to the end of the trip, regardless of if they are cardboard
boxes, soft bags or hard boxes.BIKE TRANSPORTATION
The airlines are constantly changing their policies on the carriage of
bikes, so it is best to check the policy before booking your flights. Ryan
Air changed their policy in Nov 09 and now charge £40 (each way) and have
a rather mean allowance of 20kg, with every Kg over that charged at £20!
You can check in up to 2 hold bags for £15 each (max 15kg per bag).
You are however allowed 10kg of hand baggage).
BIKE HIRE
If you do not want to have the hassle of bringing your own bike, you can
hire a Specialized Allez
Sport for £120 or a Carbon Time for £200. 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.
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.
We will offer airport transfers to tie in with the following Ryan
Air flights from / to Stansted. There will also be a transfer from
Toulouse to tie in with flights for those not travelling from the UK. We
do not recommend that people form the UK travel into Toulouse on Saturday
17th as the Etape du Tour is being held in the Pyrenees on Sunday 18th so
it is likely that the airlines will be inundated with bikes. The transfer
times are as follows: 45 mins from Carcassone to Quillan, 1hr 45
mins from Toulouse to Quillan, 1 hr from Argeles to Pau, 2hrs 30 mins from
Argeles to Toulouse.
Ryan Air flights from London
Stansted.
OUT: departs Stansted at
0950, arrives Carcassonne at 1245 (ride to hotel).
OUT: departs Stansted at
1305, arrives Carcassonne at 1600.
IN: departs Pau at 0940, arrives Stansted at 1030.
In order to give people a chance to have a warm up ride we will meet the
earlier flight, help assemble your bikes and then take your bags to the
hotel, while you ride to the Hotel in Quillan. There are various routes,
but the most direct way is 56km.
It is also
possible to use Eurostar links from London to Carcassonne / Pau.
Please
see the Transport section for
more information on airlines, airport transfers and travelling with
a bike. |
To
photo album (external website)
