Page Text Content
ROAD - France
Classic Cols of the Tour De France
On the Col de Tourmalet
Grade: C/D
RIDE PROFILE Av. daily distance: Basic route 800m to 1450m ascent per day (option of up to 3000m per day) No. of days cycling: 5/6 Vehicle support: 100% vehicle support (with limited seats) Terrain and route: the basic route is a manageable challenge for most cyclists, with one or two cols every day. Those wanting more ascent can ride optional cols or stage endings. Climbs are long and steady (av. 7.5%), and descents include some steep sections with no guard rails. This holiday isnt a race and can be done at your own pace as full route notes and maps are provided. TRIP DETAILS Group: min. 4, max. 16, plus leader/driver. Accommodation: 6 nights 2 star hotels, 1 night 1 star hotel. Food: all breakfasts and 6 dinners included.
Saddle up, pull on your polka dot jersey, enjoy the views and ride some of the famous mountain passes of the Tour de France
E
very year France holds its breath as the multi-coloured peleton winds its way into the Pyrenees, producing some of the most dramatic and memorable moments of the Tour. However, the cols are not just the preserve of the professional racers such as Armstrong and Merckx. All the mountains can be ridden by anyone who is fit and wants to experience the buzz of cresting a pass, having climbed through some of Europes most beautiful scenery. This challenging itinerary takes in eight of the most famous cols, including the Aspin, Portet dAspet and Peyresourde, and if thats not enough there are opportunities to take on a few more. What goes up must come down and the exhilarating descents are a great reward. The support vehicle will urge you along, or give you a lift, and as you conquer each mountain the sense of achievement just gets better and better. Our crowning moment is the ascent of the Col de Tourmalet, at 2115m the most formidable road pass in the Pyrenees and a fitting end to our quest to become King (or Queen) of the Mountains.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Fly London to Toulouse; transfer to Tarascon. 2 Warm-up ride to St Girons over the Col du Port (option of cycling Col DAgnes). 3 Ride the lesser known cols of Ariege (Letrap and Core) from our base at St Girons. 4 To the spa town of Luchon via the Col de Portet dAspet and the long steady climb to the Col de Mente (optional extension to Spain for Col du Portillon). 5 Free day in Luchon; optional trip to thermal baths, or ride up to Superbagneres ski station, where Scotsman Robert Millar was a stage winner in 1989.
8 DAYS
6 Two beautiful 1st category cols: Col de Peyresourde and Col dAspin with a fast and exciting descent to the village of Ste. Marie Campan (option of visiting Azet and Adet). 7 The unclassified Col de Tourmalet, the classic Pyrenean col that is surely etched on the memory of many tour riders; 35km descent to Argeles-Gazost (option of cycling to Luz Ardiden or Aubisque). 8 Free morning or optional ride to Hautacam; afternoon transfer to Toulouse and fly to London.
Trip code MWF " 8 days Sun to Sun Trip Code 2008 Start End Flight Land inc. only 799 799 799 659 659 659
MWF826 29 Jun 06 Jul MWF835 31 Aug 07 Sep MWF838 21 Sep 28 Sep
¤ ¤
No Local Payment Prices are £ sterling per person ¤ Recommended carbon offset £4 ¤ Single rooms not available ¤ Land only start Tarascon day 1, end Argeles-Gazost day 8 ¤ Insurance £26
BIKE HIRE
France: Commencial Colt £100 (road bike), paid on booking From UK: not available
i
FOR TRIP NOTES AND AVAILABILITY ENTER THE TRIP CODE IN THE SEARCH BOX ON THE EXODUS HOME PAGE
MWF - Tour de France Special departure A fantastic opportunity to cycle some of the actual 2008 Tour de France route and watch the professionals in action. Dates, prices and exact itinerary will be on our website and in the MWF Trip Notes once the official route has been announced in November.
To book call 0845 863 9606 or visit www.exodus.co.uk
41
|
inbro