BOOK THIS TRIP AND COME ON OUR LOCAL "CLOSED ROAD" SPORTIVE IN SEPTEMBER FOR HALF PRICE
THAT'S A 3 NIGHT FULL BOARD DEAL WITH TRANSFERS AND EVENT ENTRY INCLUDED FOR ONLY £140
Do you fancy a 'big ride' week based around the best cycling event on the globe? We are offering you 6 (now 7) night trip into the Pyrenees from the 14th to the 21st of July. There is full support and support rider.
STOP PRESS: Now extended by one night to the 21st so we can catch the tour on a 4th day and see them en route on another stage on the 19th of July AND we climb the Col d'Aspin TWICE. We have only added £50 to the price for this extra day!
What we also like to do at Velo-Ventures is ride some or ALL of a stage THE SAME DAY as the tour itself!
We do this by being on the 'course' much earlier than the pro's and staying well ahead. The crowds are out and much cheering and banter is to be heard along the way
The total distance covered by us on the bikes will be around 730k and a huge amount of ascending
ITINERARY
14th July
Bastille day! You arrive at Toulouse airport where upon you will have two choices. You can get changed into your riding gear, get the bike 'road ready' and ride with me to the hotel which is 120k away near Foix. This scenario will depend on 2 things. Your arrival time AND how tired you feel after your journey. This is simply an 'option' and the bus is there to take you if you wish. We have to see what time folks are getting into Toulouse
15th July
The tour is hammering out a route from Limoux to Foix. The plan is to get out and catch the tour as it comes into Foix. It sort of goes around Foix and comes in from the West. We will ride to a point where we can actually ride the last 40 or 50k of this day's stage. Please note: Right after the stage has finished...we have to be on the bikes for a 2.5 hr ride to St Gaudens and the next hotel. This will be late meal but it is the only time we do this. I have set it this way so that we are close to where the tours passes the following day.
16th July
Today we need to be out a bit earlier if we are to ride a good deal of the Tour route. We will stop at a strategic spot where we can watch the caravan and pro's come thru. A long hilly section is always the best. As soon as I know the very route that is being taken...I will choose a good place.
We then ride on to Lourdes where we are based for the next 3 nights. The tour criss-crosses this region and it is a good place to hang out for climbs
17th July (IT'S BIG TODAY!)
The pro's are having a 'rest day' but we are here to 'cash in' on the fact that we are surrounded by some of the best climbs in the sport. So, I have planned the day where we tackle the Hautacam in the morning and have our 'buffet style' lunch at the top. Lunch will be between 11 and 12 as we need to leave time for a very hard afternoon. Why?
Well we up the Soulor AND Aubisque from Argeles Gazost. A 30k assault and over 1000m of altitude gain. To keep it interesting, we will descend via Ferrieres and come back into Lourdes from the West
July 18th
The tour is taking the Aubisque and the Tourmalet. We ride some of the route on the day. We ride out from Lourdes and take on the Tourmalet ahead of the pro's. This will be their 2nd of 4 climbs. We will stop and catch the stage at some point up the Tourmalet. Once it is thru we'll ride over and down thru La Mongie but be warned of two things....1/ If you have not done this before you have to be in place a few hours before the pro's come thru. So, waiting around is part of the day and... 2/ The descent after can be heavy with traffic and "care" is the ortder of the day. We will come back into Lourdes via Bagneres de Bigorre and the East
Jult 19th
We leave lourdes and head to Bagneres de Bigorre and then ovet the Col d'Aspin where we will then drop to Arreau and catch Le Tour here on a climb again. Once the tour passes thru we head back to Lourdes and over the Aspin the other way!
20th July
Today we head north to our last port of call near Toulouse airport. Not an easy day with 165k to cover and the bus is there if you are too tired to ride! We will be taking some very calm roads but there is still a good deal of undulating ground to cover.
21sh July
Departure day. We are based just a few k from the airport. We will either drop you there (for those of you with earlier flights) or organise a taxi for you (included in price) and your bikes.
Note the special offer of a 'closed road' sportive at half price for the FIRST FOUR clients to book this trip
PRICE £899 H/B for 7 nights and 6 ride days in 2 and 3 star hotels
INCLUDED IN FEE
*All 7 nights accommodation
*All 7 breakfasts
*All 6 buffet 'road side' lunches with an array of tasty foods to choose from
*Airport transfers
*Support vehicle
*Support rider
*Velo-venture cycling gear. Cycling top, arm warmers and gloves
*Discounts on future trips/breaks
Get in touch to book a place on this tough 'roadie' trip