Road cycling holiday to ride some stages and support the Tour de France in july 2008

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Tour de France 2008 :: In the Saddle and on the Sidelines

The Tour de France route is now out! Starting on 5^th July 2008, the cyclists travel anticlockwise from Brittany, heading into the Massif Central before coming South for those first, all important, Pyrenean mountain stages. It is here that Marmot Tours will be focusing its Tour de France road biking special for 2008. It is here that the first real time differences are made and the Tour starts to hot up. Make sure you reserve your space on the mountain!


6 days of riding in the mountains. Watch the Hautacam stage end and the stage start in Lannemezan. Climb infamous Tour cols: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Port de Bales Comfortable hotels. Vehicle assistance. Manageable basic route with optional extras available if you want more. Outstanding mountain views. Easy access from UK airports to Toulouse.
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OVERVIEW

Cycling in the Pyrenees is always an incredible experience. The mountains are infamous and steeped in Tour de France history. The scenery is outstanding. The climbs are challenging but satisfyingly so. The locals give the cyclist the utmost respect, and it shows. Add to this, the fervor of the Tour de France, and you have a magical combination. 2008 is the second year that Marmot Tours has put together a road biking Tour de France Special. We have the same aims this year as last:

To put together a route that covers some of the best cycling available in the Pyrenees.
To give you the opportunity to support the professionals from the roadside. This year we will be able to spectate on the beautiful Col d’Aspin, on the formidable ascent to Hautacam, at the end of stage 10, and then again at the start of stage 11 in Lannemezan.
To be the envy of the other supporters on Hautacam with a picnic lunch and satellite coverage of the approaching riders.
To provide a high level of support throughout and ensure you get the most out of your holiday.

OUR ROUTE

This year the official route in the Pyrenees, dips in and out of the mountains and back tracks, with vehicle transfers on several days. We have put together a route that where possible, sticks to the official route, but with some minor alterations that mean you will avoid vehicle transfers, with the added bonus of taking on a few more famous cols! The profile of the official route is listed below.

Stage 9 Sunday 13th July 2008

Stage 10, Monday 14th July 2008

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. You will however need to be relatively fit as the average distance is 80km with approx 1340m of ascent each day (max 2073m). The daily distances are manageable with our longest day being 95km. There is always the option of the support vehicle if you desire a lift up (or down) any of the hills (except on Day 5 and on Hautacam, 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.

Gemma Sharkey from Cycling Weekly came on this this last year. To read what she wrote about it follow this link to the Cycling Weekly website.

DATES

Wed 9 July - Wed 16 July 2008 (Trip Code RFT H27)

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The holiday costs £799, 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. We also offer group and loyalty discounts. More Info >>

WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?

6 days road biking. Airport Transfers (at specified times). Detailed route notes and altitude profiles. Vehicle support. Medical and mechanical support. Services of an English (French speaking) tour leader during the trip. 7 nights Hotel / gite accommodation. 7 evening meals (not wine or coffee), 7 breakfasts, Picnic lunch on day 6.

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 1 and 7. Here we stay in a perfectly located 1 star hotel with private facilities, situated in Lannemezan and therefore giving us easy access to the stage start on Day 7. In the hotels, rooms will normally be allocated on a twin share basis depending on the demographics of the group. In addition we cannot guarantee that anyone booking less than 2 months before the trip will be staying in the same hotel, however we will always eat together.

FOOD

Food is a 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 but will be supplemented with cereals and fruit . Lunches are not included, giving you the flexibility to select your own diet. There are lots of bakeries and small restaurants en route. A picnic lunch on the Hautacam day is included.

GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION

You are accompanied by an 2 experienced tour leaders, James and Cathy, 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.

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. 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 will be left at the start hotel during the trip as we return here on night 7.

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.

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.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Toulouse Airport is only 1hr30mins drive to Lannemezan for both the outward and homebound transfers. We are staying fairly close to the train station in Lannemezan, so please contact us if you have any queries regarding travel by train.

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.

Alternative flights are available with KLM from most UK airports (indirect), or with Easy jet from London Gatwick.

Please see the Transport section for more information on airlines, airport transfers and traveling with a bike.

TOUR DE FRANCE HOLIDAY ITINERARY 2008
Notes:	The route outlined below is our basic route, there are options for people who want to cycle more each day. Whatever you choose to do, we encourage you to be in a bar / cafe from 4pm to catch Le Tour on TV.
DAY 1 Weds 9th	Transfer from Toulouse airport to our tour start point at Lannemezan - 1hr 30mins. Assemble bikes
DAY 2 Thur 10th	Lannemezan to St Lizier. 87km with 200m of ascent. We start our Tour with a long section of stage 11 which gives us a great warm up to our trip (and the mountains). The route is gently undulating in the foothills north of the Pyrenees. We pass through many picturesque French villages, following the river Salat. Our accommodation lies just outside the mediaeval city of St Lizier, formerly a Gallo-Roman town, perched on top of a hill over the river. The former cathedral (11th - 14th century) with its Roman frescoes, and the remains of the Roman town walls are worth seeing.
DAY 3 Fri 11th	Saint Lizier to Bagneres de Luchon, Via the Portet D'Aspet, and Col de Mente. 79km with 1585m of ascent. Optional extras: Super Bagneres (1200m climb from Luchon) Road Cycling does not get better than this!. From St Lizier we head through St Girons and start with a long but gentle climb up the Bouigane valley to our first col, the Portet d'Aspet (1075m, 2nd category climb). The descent is steep and the memorial to Fabio Casartelli is a reminder of the risks taken by Tour de France riders. The Col du Mente (1345m, 1st category climb) is quiet and the descent is one of the best, with a great series of switchbacks. The swooping descent takes us down and towards Bagneres de Luchon, still a popular spa town, nestled in the mountains.
DAY 4 Sat 12th	We stay in Luchon tonight too, allowing us to do some of the great Tour de France rides around Luchon. Ride to Port de Bales. 70km with 1300m ascent. Optional extras: Col du Portillon (1293m) The Port de Bales (1775m, 1st category climb) was a new Col for the Tour de France 2007 route and was only surfaced in 2006! It has stunning views and tight hairpin bends that take us up into the high mountain pastures where transhumance farming is still practiced. You are likely to spot a Griffon Vulture or 2 from the top (hopefully you are not in a condition that they will be interested in you!)
DAY 5 Sun 13th	Luchon to Argeles Gazost via the Peyresourde then watching the Tour on the Col d'Aspin. 106km with 1900m of ascent. Optional extra of a transfer to the end from the 64km mark. On our toughest day of our trip, we follow the Tours route for stage 9, climbing up from Luchon to the top of the Peyresourde (1565m, 1 category climb). If you are in need of refuelling at the top, the cafe does 12 pancakes for 4E! A beautiful descent into the market town of Arreau follows before the classic climb up the Col d'Aspin (1490m, 1st category climb). We will stop somewhere near the top to wait for the pro's to come through - the big views mean we will see them coming from several kilometres away. Once the madness of the peloton passing us has gone, we will make our way down to Bagneres de Bigorre, where stage 9 will have just ended. You have the option of a lift here to our end point of Argeles Gazost, or if you are loving the cycling, it is a further 42kms (included in the total above).
DAY 6 Mon 14th	Argeles Gazost. Day cycle to Hautacam to watch the stage 10 ending. 32km with 1185m of ascent. Optional extras: The Aubisque (1709m) After the epic day 5 we have a more leisurely pace this morning, though not necessarily a leisurely climb, as we make it up the HC Col of Hautacam (1535m) to our reserved Marmot Tours spot on the mountain. We will have the satellite television set up so that when you arrive you can keep in touch with how the Tour are progressing before they arrive with us in the afternoon. Marmot Tours will put on a picnic lunch, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourselves before rolling back down the hill to Argeles after the excitement is over. The 14th is Bastide Day in France, so there will be more festivities this evening in the small historic town of Argeles (fireworks are a sure thing).
DAY 7 Tue 15th	Argeles Gazost to Lannemezan via the Tourmalet. 93km with 1975m of ascent Today's ride take us on the route of Stage 10, over one of the most famous Pyrenean cols, The Tourmalet (2115m, HC climb). It is a punishing ride, of that there is no doubt, but it is worth it when you get to the top - make sure you get a photo as evidence! The cafe at the top has a lot of Tour de France memorabilia so is well worth a stop. The descent takes us down to St Marie de Campan where in 1913 Tour rider Eugene Christophe had to single handedly mend his bike in the old forge before continuing on his way. The repair took 3hrs and he was penalised a further 10 mins for letting a 7 year old boy pump the bellows! From here we head to Lannemezan, a lovely ride on small country roads through undulating countryside.
DAY 8 Wed 16th	Lannemezan: Watch the stage 11 start before transferring to Toulouse Airport (1hr 30) Normally the last day of our trip only holds an airport transfer in store, but not this one! We have found a hotel in Lannemezan so that after packing up our bikes in the morning, we have plenty of time to get a front line spot to watch the stage 11 start. We will arrive in plenty of time to wander the streets and watch the team mechanics and competitors preparing for the race. 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 the day's log. Once they have headed off, after lunch, we will reluctantly head back to Toulouse Airport.

Contact Marmot Tours: info@marmot-tours.co.uk
Tel/fax: 0033 561 02 80 43. French Mob: 0033 (0)6 30 01 12 98