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. Please look at our day by day
itinerary for more detail. 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 |
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| Stage 10, Monday 14th July 2008 |
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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.
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 travelling with
a bike.
|
To
detailed itinerary
