JULY 6
- Arrive Pau (Maslacq)
We’ll meet you at the airport and take you to our
hotel in Maslacq, a small village near Pau. You’ll have the
afternoon to assemble bikes, sightsee, and perhaps take a nap
before our get-acquainted dinner tonight at the hotel, which
will be followed by an overview of the tour. We will be able to
watch the Tour de France (5th) stage finish live on TV, as we
will every day.
JULY 7 - Argelès-Gazost
- 75mi, 6600ft
Our route will be very similar to stage 16 of the
‘Tour'. We will amble through the foothills as a warm-up before
challenging the big climbs of the Pyrenees. Col d’Aubisque is
our first major Tour de France climb, and it is the last major
climb of the this year's 'Tour'. It is one of the most
beautiful of all ‘Tour’ climbs, and the traverse from the
Aubisque to the Col du Soulor is probably the most spectacular
stretch of road of our entire trip. This stretch of road, as
one guide book describes, “...is a marvelous, tortuous road that
will make any car miserable - not to mention the bicyclists of
the Tour de France, on those occasions when the sadists who run
it steer the race this way.” Well, the Tour comes this way
almost every year, and you will be amazed and delighted, not
miserable! But do watch out for large cows that graze
freely on the grass alongside the road. .
JULY
8 – Bagnères de-Bigorre - 42mi, 6000ft
The Col du Tourmalet is the biggest and most
famous of all the Pyrenees climbs, often playing an essential
part in determining the eventual ‘Tour’ champion. It is not on
this year's schedule, but even so it will be easy to imagine
riding with the peloton or maybe even challenging your
cycling companion for a mountain top finish. The optional ride
to Cauterets and the Pont d’Espagne adds 23mi, and 2650ft, but
is well worth it, as the road follows a series of beautiful,
cascading waterfalls. The ski station village of Luz Ardiden is
often used as a mountain top finish in the ‘Tour’; this classic
climb adds 19mi round trip and 3000ft of climbing.
JULY
9 - Bagnères de-Bigorre - 38mi, 2700ft –or- 69mi, 6300ft
Although today is a rest day, we have scheduled a
‘must do’ easy ride,
as
we continue cycling through these beautiful mountains. This
morning's section heading to Lourdes is one of the most
beautiful routes of the tour, small, hillside roads with some
hill top views of the big mountains that are so very close,
winding descents alongside babbling brooks and past quaint
farmhouses, always one of our favorite excursions. Lourdes is
the world’s most popular Christian pilgrimage destination and is
always crowded and somewhat commercially overdone. But it is
still beautiful and worth a visit. Our optional hard climb, the
Hautacam, is sometimes a mountain top finish in the ‘Tour. This
is where Lance first humbled Marco Pantani in the 2000 edition
of the Tour de France.
JULY
10 – Sauveterre – 63mi, 6700ft –or- 78mi, 9100ft -or- 53mi, 4100
ft
We have a choice of two very different rides
today, one is pure Tour de France, and the other is on small
roads that have never been used by the Tour. The big ride takes
us over the Col d’Aspin, Col de Val Louron-Azet, and Col de
Peyresourde (be sure to try the delicious crêpes at the little
café at the summit); all these cols are in this year's race.
These are big beautiful climbs and the views are grand. The
easier route follows the valley along the base of the mountains
and climbs up and down, traversing the sides of these giant
foothills. But what makes this route so special is something
that captures the essence of rural France; small farming roads
connecting ancient villages, roads winding past neat stone farm
houses, through pastures and over hills, an excursion showing us
a way of life that is hard working but slow paced and
rewarding. Since we can climb the three big passes later in the
tour, this might be a great option. Our hotel is very elegant,
quite a surprise considering its location, nestled between the
hills and the heavily farmed valleys.
JULY
11 - St Girons – 67mi, 9000ft – or- 46mi, 5100ft
More ‘Tour’ climbs are in store for today, Col de
Mente, Col de Portet d’Aspet, and Col de la Core. Besides some
awesome scenery, we will pass a plaque dedicated to Luis Ocana,
at the site where a mudslide took him out of the 1971 Tour de
France while he was wearing the yellow jersey. We will also
pass the memorial dedicated to the Italian rider, Fabio
Casartelli, who died on the descent of the Portet d’Aspet in
1995. A long gradual descent brings us to St. Girons, the
largest town, and one of the more elegant hotels of our tour.
This hotel is where Lance stays when he is in the Pyrénées, both
training, or racing when the Tour comes through. Lance always
requests room #7.
JULY
12 - St Girons loop ride - 37mi, 1400ft -or- as much as 72mi,
5900ft
Sleep in this morning or choose one of many loop
rides. The ‘Route Verte’ along the ridge of the Massif de
l’Arize is wonderful, with plenty of ups and downs. There are a
couple options for shorter rides, but the best include a loop
through the Grotte du Mas d’Azil. This is a huge prehistoric
cave with a river (and road) running through it from one side of
the hill to the other. You can also take a short spin and be
back in town in time for lunch and then spend the rest of the
afternoon relaxing by the pool.
JULY
13 – Foix - 66mi, 6000 ft –or- 60mi, 4700ft
Much of
today’s ride is on very small, very scenic roads with little or
no traffic - a route, including all three climbs,
never visited by the Tour de France,
until last year.
The Col de Latrape is a very gradual climb up a pretty green
valley, while the higher Col d’Agnes and Port de Lers give us a
high alpine traverse, with wonderful views in all directions.
Lunch, at
a small restaurant near the top, has great views of the peaks
and valleys plus an alpine lake.
Near the
bottom of the long descent is the Grotte de Niaux. The climb up
to this prehistoric cave is rewarded with an interesting cave
experience and some beautifully preserved cave drawings.
Foix is a bustling little city with a well preserved castle
dominating the skyline. Be sure to leave time to explore and
find a good ice cream or beer.
JULY 14 – Foix – loop ride - 81mi, 7300ft –or- 71mi, 5300ft
Although there
is not a single ‘Tour’ climb today, you'll find plenty of
climbing and beautiful scenery, as most of the day is spent
riding on small roads through a fairly remote area of the
Pyrenees. Our first significant climb is to the historic Cathar
castle of Montségur. Next is the wide-open Plateau de Sault. A
short side trip to Espezel finds us a great local restaurant for
lunch (at 39 miles) At the western end we have a rip roaring
descend on a one lane road through the woods, with a glimpse now
and then of the valley below. A short climb brings us to a
hanging valley that parallels the big valley below. From here
it is a rolling traverse all the way to Tarascon, with lots of
ups and downs, through a number of small villages. This is one
of our favorite routes in France.
JULY
15 – Sauveterre - 90mi, 6600 ft -or- 67mi, 4000ft
We start the day challenging one of the Tour de
France ’regulars’, the Col de Port. From this particular
direction, the descent is winding and gradual, resulting in an
exhilarating roller coaster ride – one of the best anywhere.
From St. Girons, we retrace our route up the Col de Portet
d’Aspet, but then we veer north to the Col de Buret and Col des
Ares before descending to our pleasant country inn near
Sauveterre. The easy route heads down river from St Girons and
then off into the low hills on a series of small farming roads.
We stay at the same comfortable hotel as before.
JULY
16 – St Lary - 63mi, 8600ft -or- 46mi, 5100ft
Today’s ride is much like tomorrow’s ‘Tour’
stage, only half as hard. We dip into Spain to climb the Col du
Portillon, next up is the Col de Peyresorde (don’t forget the
crêpes). On the descent, we pass the corner where, during the
2001 Tour de France, Jon Ullrich left the road and fell into a
small gully - can you find it? Our final climb is the Col de
Val Louron-Azet. St Lary will be crowded and activity will be
at a fever pitch as everyone will be preparing for tomorrow’s
Tour de France stage finish at Pla d’Adet.
JULY
17 – St Lary - Pla d’Adet loop, 14mi, 2700ft -or- 43mi, 7150ft
Today is the big day, the Tour de France is
coming to town. If you have the legs for it, an early morning
loop ride to Lac de Cap de Long is a very scenic, though
strenuous climb (29 miles round trip, and 4450 feet elevation).
Near the top, just below the lake, the switchbacks are so tight
that the front of your bike will start a new switchback before
your backside has finished the last switchback. But be sure to
be back early for lunch and to find a good location for viewing
the race. The climb to Pla d’Adet will be packed with cycling
fans, numbering in the 100,000’s. Every available foot of
pavement on the 11 km road to the top will be painted white with
the names of cycling heroes. The road will be closed to traffic
early, and to bikes around 2pm, and then the parade of sponsors,
officials, and team cars comes through, preceding the race
leaders at around 4:30. At 130 mi, and 12,225 ft, this is the
hardest stage of the ‘Tour’, and will be key in selecting the
eventual champion.
JULY
18 – Gavarnie - 55 mi, 9000ft
Our destination today is one of the most amazing
locations in all the Pyrenees, but we have to earn it. Our
first pass is the Hourquette d’Ancizan, one of the more
beautiful ones we cycle, especially with its park-like descent.
Then we cycle up the Big One, the Col de Tourmalet, the climb
that is a leg-breaker on almost every Tour de France, and
certainly is again today. Even though the climb to Gavarnie
averages only 3.5%, tired legs will still be begging it to end.
At 4500 ft elevation, Gavarnie is a true alpine village, the highest in the
Pyrenees, having a most stunning setting beneath the famous Cirq de Gavarnie.
JULY
19 – Gavarnie – Rest day –or- 17mi, 3000ft
A rest day will be sorely needed, but there are
still things to do and places to see. You may choose to explore
this area on foot. The Cirq de Gavarnie offers one of the
greatest alpine sights in Europe, and there are plenty of hiking
trails, including one that climbs through a notch in the high
cliffs to the border with Spain. Another way to get to the
border is to bike up the road to its end. At this point, the
highest on our tour, we have a breathtaking view of the cliffs
of the cirq and the towering waterfall, Europe’s tallest. The
Tour de France, stage 16, is today, contesting the Cols
d'Aubisque and Soulor, (not to far from here). This is the last
mountain stage so be sure to catch the finish on TV.
JULY
20 – Maslacq - 90 mi, 1700ft –or- 95mi, 6000ft
Our last ride is a repeat of some of the roads we
have already ridden, but what wonderful roads they are. No
matter which route you take it promises some of the best scenery
and views of the trip, a fitting conclusion to a great tour in
the Pyrenees. The Col du Soulor and Col d’Aubisque present the
big challenge for the long route. The easier route descends all
the way to Lourdes and then rolls over hills and along valleys
all the way to our hotel. Since today’s distance is so long,
there will be van assistance for those who want to get back
early, pack bikes and then relax by the pool. We’ll have beers
and recount stories, then enjoy our farewell dinner tonight at
the hotel.
JULY
21 - DEPARTURE
Van transport provided to Pau airport.
COST:
$2995 per person based on Double Occupancy
$500 single room supplement
INCLUDES:
·3-4 star Hotel Accommodations Full breakfast daily (except arrival day)
·All dinners (except departure day)
·Airport transfers from Pau airport,
·Bike mechanic and van support with cellular phone,
·Ground transportation for all passengers, luggage & bikes,
·Regional map plus detailed daily route maps & cue sheets.
NOT INCLUDED:
·International
airfare,
·Tips and gratuities,
·Laundry, telephone, and items of a personal nature,
·Lunches and alcoholic beverages (a supplemental fee will be charged to those who wish wine with dinner, and may be prepaid before departure)
PRE-TRIP
PLANNING
A complete trip packet will be sent upon receipt of your final payment, including tour t-shirt, hotel lists, maps, and luggage tags. Our guidebook containing information on what to bring, how to pack your bike for flying,
equipment list, and changing currencies, will be sent upon receipt of your secondary deposit (due by March 1). All participants must possess a current passport
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Erickson Cycle Tours recommends purchasing insurance for trip
cancellation, injury, illness, and loss of effects. A travel insurance brochure with application is included with your confirmation letter.
AIRFARE
We offer the services of our travel agent, Shannon or Steve of
Rogue Travel, in obtaining economical, expedient air
reservations, and we can assist with lodging for pre- and
post-tour plans. For flight information, contact Rogue Travel at
1.800.443.9216, or
shannon@mind.net. If you prefer you may use the services of
your own travel agent. |
