Guided Cycling Tours
Our guided cycling holidays are designed for all levels of ability. With a guide and support to hand it allows you to concentrate on the fabulous views and not worry about where your going or getting lost. Ian & Julie take all the rides out and the ability of the group is assessed in the first easy ride to warm up the legs and checking out the bike after the journey. Dependent on ability the itinerary can change from relaxed riding to seeing the sights to rides on the classic climbs. It is your holiday and you can choose. There are several specialist tours such as the Pyrenean Traverse and the Tri-Country Tour which can be ridden by most cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness.
Full Package Includes
- 7 nights Accommodation (en-suite) at our centre in Luscan
- Breakfasts for 7 days
- Evening meals for 6 days (Friday at a local restaurant)
- Guiding for 6 rides (wednesday is easy day)
- Vehicle support for longer rides
- Airport Transfers to Toulouse
- Qualified bike mechanic
- Full use of facilities, including bike workshop, Endless pool
Optional
- Bike Rental
What is not included
- Lunches - normally taken at local cafés or out on the bike
- Flights
- Holiday insurance
Itinerary - Example
Airport Transfer from Toulouse
We will pick you up from Toulouse airport in the morning and transfer you back to our centre in Luscan. After building the bikes we will go for a short spin out on the flat rolling country side of the Comminges – the ride is at a very easy pace to loosen up the legs and test out the bikes and to get used to each other in the group. Distance - 48 km
Sunday - Col des Ares
It is a bit of a trek to the first climb, the Col de Larrieu. Plenty of rolling countryside and views along the way. Descend down into Aspet for Coffee before heading out of the village along a slightly false flat. The Col de Buret is upon you in no time but it is so gentle you will not realise your on it. The Col des Ares is the major climb of the day and a handy coffee stop at the top before heading home on the flat. Distance - 74 km.
Monday- Category 1
This ride takes you in to Spain over the Col du Portillon, a favorite in the Tour de France. The journey up to Luchon is slightly up hill but normally with a tail wind so you will be there in no time. The climb out of Luchon starts quickly and some sections of the Portillon are tough. The summit is the border of Spain and the descent is great fun. The small town of Bossost is a good stopping point for coffee before heading in to the wind for the downhill journey back to France and on to Luscan. Distance - 80 km
Tuesday - The Baronnies
A gentle start across the comminges passing the cathedral of St Bertrand. A few rolling hills until you reach Barthe de Neste where the road slowly goes up until the turn to Tilhouse. This is the Baronnies, a beautiful region of the Pyrénées and full of hidden little climbs. There are a couple of small climbs before you reach the Col de Coupe which is a great little climb but a short descent to Heches and then back through the comminges to St Bertrand and back to Luscan. Distance - 84 km
Wednesday - Easy Day
Easy day today. Ride locally or just go and do something totally different like a walk up the mountain behind the centre or even some sight seeing at St Bertrand de Comminges
Thursday - The Balés
The climb of the Port de Balés is not for the feint hearted but with a little effort it is one of the most beautiful climbs in the Pyrénées. A short ride out to Mauléon Barousse gets you to the start of this epic climb. Stock up on water in the square and then enjoy the first few kilometers because at 12km to go the road goes vertical. Once at the top you will see that is was well worth it all. The descent is long into Luchon and the ride back down the valley will spin the legs out before hitting home in Luscan. Distance - 83 km
Friday - The last Climb
A nice gentle start climbing through the valley to meet the Col des Ares with 4 km to go. The Col de Buret is a stroll but make sure you take the right hand turn to St Girons on the descent. The Col de Portet d’Aspet is a tough climb and you need to be vigilant on the descent as you will pass the memorial to Fabio Casartelli which is a reminder of what can happen. The Col de Menté comes up quick but with the welcome café on the summit you will be there in no time. Distance - 84 km
Saturday - Airport Transfer
After breakfast we will head out to Toulouse airport in plenty of time to catch the morning flights.