Day 1 - ARRIVE PAU
We’ll meet you at the airport and take you to our impressive
hotel, the Parc Beaumont, in 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.
Day 2 - ISABA - 75mi, 6600ft
As a warm-up, we will amble through the foothills of the
Pyrenees before challenging the big climbs. Following the stage
16 ‘Tour’ route into the mountains, we climb a gentle river
valley to Larrau. Here the climbing gets steeper and we tackle
our only real col of the day, the Port de Larrau, this being the
first of four climbs the ‘Tour’ will be doing. We descend into
Spain to the alpine village of Isaba.
Day 3 - LESTELLE-BÉTHARRAM -
71mi, 5000ft, or 75mi, 7700ft
There is no warm up today,
leaving the hotel we immediately tackle the 2nd tour climb of
stage 16, 3000 feet back into France. This is a very beautiful
morning ride, as the road traverses along the ridgeline between
Spain and France for 18 km, over a series of 5 small cols.
Still following the ‘Tour’ route we have a long decent to the
base of the Col de Marie-Blanque. Coming at the end of the day,
the steep 2400ft climb will seem very hard. The rolling green
hills of the final 18 miles will seem quite relaxing.
Day 4 - ARGELÈS-GAZOST -
56mi, 5700ft
Finishing off all the climbs of
stage 16 of the ‘Tour’, we save the biggest and best for the
last. The Col d’Aubisque, 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 tour. 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.
Day 5-
ST. LARY-SOULAN – 57 mi, 8000 ft
Today we begin with the 6000 foot climb over the Col du
Tourmalet. This is the single biggest climbing gain, nearly
6000 ft, of our tour and most years of the Tour de France.
After a long descent we begin the gradual climb up the Col
d’Aspin, but we soon turn off on the small, lightly traveled
road up the Hourquette d’Ancizan (165 ft higher than the Aspin).
Here in the park-like forest we will have a typical French
pique-nique lunch. On to St. Lary, but don’t check in at the
hotel just yet, because the extra loop up the road to the Lac de
Cap de Long is a very scenic, though strenuous climb (be sure to
take plenty of water). It adds 29 miles and 3900 feet of
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. These are the biggest and most beautiful mountains
in the Pyrenees. Equally inspiring is the slightly shorter, but
just as high, ride to Pla d’Adet, the ski area above town and
often ‘Tour’ finish.
Day 6 -
ST. GIRONS – 67mi, 9000ft, or 46mi, 5100ft
More ‘Tour’ climbs are in store for today, Col d'Azet, Col de
Peyresourde, Col de Menté, Col de
Portet d’Aspet, and the optional 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 a past Tour 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
used to stay when in the Pyrenees, both training and racing.
Day 7 -
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.
Day 8 – FOIX - 66mi, 6000ft, 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 2004. 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.
Day 9 – FOIX – loop ride - 48mi, 3900ft, or 71mi, 5300ft
There is not a single ‘Tour’ climb today, but there is still
plenty of climbing and plenty of 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.
Day 10 – 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. Giron,
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 Giron and then off into the
low hills on a series of small farming roads. We stay at a very
elegant, country hotel.
Day 11 – SAUVETERRE - 45mi, 5000ft, or 70mi, 7300ft
One of our favorite climbs in the Pyrenees is the Port de Bales,
the big problem being that it ended at the summit, with only a
rudimentary rocky road descending to the next small village
below. Recently the road was finished and the Tour de France
organizers were quick to take advantage of this beautiful climb
including it on the very difficult five climb, stage 15. We
suspect that this will become a ‘Tour’ regular. The long
descent brings us to Luchon for a typical French lunch at one of
the many small restaurants in town. The long route back
includes the Col du Portillon and descent into Spain
Day 12 - BAGNERES DE BIGORRE - 80 mi, 9200 ft, or 53 mi, 4500 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 back over the Port
de Balès and the Col de Peyresourd, (remember to stop for the
cheap, delicious crepes) and then the Col d’Aspin. 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.
Day 13 – GAVARNIE - 51 mi, 4500ft, or 71mi, 7500ft
Today will be probably the most spectacular, most scenic of the
entire trip, 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 hill side roads
with some hill top views of the big mountains that are so very
close. 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. Luz
Ardiden is a ski station that is sometimes used as a stage
fiinish, this is our extra hard addition for the day. Our final
destination today is one of the most amazing locations in all
the Pyrenees, but we have to earn it. Even though the climb to
Gavarnie averages only 3.5%, tired legs will still be begging
for 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.
Day 14 – PAU – 67mi, 3600ft, or 85mi, 5500ft
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.
A long descent from Gavarnie brings us to Argelès-Gazost, here
the long route heads over the Col du Soulor and Col d’Aubisque
presenting the last big challenge of our Pyrenees tour. The
easier route descends from the Soulor and then rolls over hills
and valleys all the way to our hotel in Pau. We’ll have beer
and recount stories, then enjoy our farewell dinner tonight at
the hotel.
Day 15 -
DEPARTURE
Van transport is provided to Pau airport.
COST:
$3395 per person based on Double Occupancy
$550 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. |
