Pyrenean Traverse
Join us on our version of the Raid Pyrénées. A one week challenge that takes you from Hendaye on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the beautiful seaside town of Cerbére on the Mediterranean via the high cols of the Pyrénées Mountains in 6 stages. This is a hard but beautiful riding challenge and if you are reasonably fit and regularly ride your bike then this is will be an excellent achievement and well within your grasp.
Our route takes you on the quite country roads over a the most famous climbs in the world. Each day will be ridden at a comfortable pace with a relaxing stopover in 2** hotels including a night at our own centre in Luscan where you can take a relaxing swim in our pool or just crash out on the terrace with a beer.. Our support will always be there with either water for your bidons or a hot cup of tea on top of the climb. You will not need to carry anything other than yourself over the mountains.
Full Package Includes
- Accommodation 2** Hotels 6 days
- 1 night at our centre in Luscan
- Breakfasts for 7 days
- Evening meals for 6 days (last night restaurant in Toulouse)
- Special Pyrenean Traverse Cycling Jersey
- Carnet de Route
- Daily route cards
- Medal on completion
- Guiding for 6 stages
- Vehicle support throughout (Hot & Cold drinks)
- Hotel luggage transfers
- Airport Transfers to Toulouse (or Biarritz/Perpignan)
- Full use of facilities, including bike workshop, Endless pool.
Optional
- Bike Rental
- Discounts for groups
What is not included
- Lunches - normally taken at local cafés or out on the bike
- Flights
- Holiday insurance
Itinerary
Airport Transfer to Hendaye
We will pick you up from Toulouse airport in the morning and transfer you to the starting hotel in Hendaye. You also have the option to fly directly to Biarritz and we will meet you at the hotel in the afternoon. Time for building bikes and a test ride down to the sea front before having the welcome meal.
Sunday - Hendaye - Lurbe-St Christau (145 km)
The first day takes you from the Atlantic Ocean into the low Pyrénées taking in the Col de St-Ignace (169m), Col de Pinodieta (176m), Col d'Ipharlatze (328m) and the Col d' Osquich (392m). These are all small climbs that should allow you to get a taste of what is to come. We stay in the pretty village of Lurbe St Chritau and have a welcome evening meal in a great little hotel nestled on the side of the mountain.
Monday - Lurbe-St Christau - St Marie de Campan (135 km)
After a short rolling ride from from Lurbe St Christau, climb of the day is the Col de Marie-Blanque (1035m) a beautiful but very steep climb. The descent is well worth the effort though and we swing down to a beautiful ride into Laruns before starting the ascent to the Col D' Aubisque (1709m) and a welcoming lunch at the top with stunning views. The descent from the Aubisque is spectacular riding through mountainside tunnels and very narrow roads perched on the side of the cliff. The Col de Soulor (1466m) is next but most of it has already been climbed so it passes without a hitch before descending into Argelès Gazost where we turn right and head up to the big one. The Col Du Tourmalet (2115m) is last on the list and we will take our time climbing before hitting the summit and the famous café & shop where you can buy all the Tourmalet memorabilia before descending into St Marie de Campan and a well earned beer and rest.
Tuesday - St Marie de Campan - Luscan (92km)
We start out at the base of the Col d'Aspin (1489m) but this is a gentle warm up for the first 6 km before the final 5 km of real climbing. At the summit you will be face to face with a cow or a range of other animals, but they are all friendly. We then ride the final stretch over the Col de Peyresourde (1569m) and back to our centre in Luscan for a slap up meal and a relax next to the pool. A good chance to wash the kit and check out the bikes in our workshop.
Wednesday - Luscan - Tarascon (126km)
After leaving Luscan we head over the Col des Ares (797m) and the Col De Buret (599m) which warms the legs up before the start of the Col De Portet d' Aspet (1069m) where you can see the monument of Fabio Casatelli. We head down into the valley towards St Girons before heading down into the Gorge de Ribaouto and the Col de Port (1249m). The hotel is all the way down hill into Tarascon where the owners are always waiting for us with a beer or two.
Thursday - Tarascon - Prades (128km)
The penultimate stage and it is a long one, with the the first of three major climbs coming up after around 30km. The Col de Marmare (1367m), a long but gentle climb through the trees followed by the Col des Sept Frères (1253m) soon after but a mere mole hill in comparison. Then a long down hill ride through tunnels and overhanging cliffs to Axat for lunch. After refueling it is a hard slog up the Col de Jau (1513m) but with a fantastic descent directly to the hotel. Here you can relax by the pool before a great dinner in the beautiful square of Prades.
Friday - Prades - Cerbére (85km)
The last stage in this epic personal achievement. 85km downhill to the Mediterranean and hopefully with a tailwind. A gentle ride in and then relax in the seaside restaurant where we can have a well earned lunch after dipping your toe into the water to seal the challenge. We will then load the bikes and head back to Toulouse for the evening where we will go out to a restaurant for the celebratory meal where we can chat about the week and receive your certificates.
The final destination - The Med !!
The hotel is very close to the airport so a quick transfer after breakfast or if your flight is a little later then leave your luggage at the hotel and take the shuttle bus into Toulouse for a day out. You can always fly out of Perpignan on the Friday afternoon if this is better for you.
We provide you with our very own Carnet de Route which follows closely the official Raid Route (80%) but keeps away from the busy roads and sticks to country lanes We also give you a fantastic cycle jersey so you can ride the tour in style.
The itinerary may change from time to time but is basically the set route for our version of the Raid Pyrénées. If you are reasonably fit you will be able to complete this course but will need to train for it. There is always vehicle support in case you get into difficulties.
All your luggage and bike containers are transported between stages. There is also mechanical support available so you do not have to worry about anything other than enjoying the ride
"Just a note to thank you once again for a terrific trip in the Pyrénées. I am still on cloud 9 and still catch myself looking through the many photos that (as you well know) I took during the scenic rides in the mountains. I appreciate the personalized service that you provided, with Ian riding with the group and Julie present to cater to our every need (I still remember the hot cup of tea I had in the van at the top of the Col de Marmare when the weather turned cool)." - Ken Bunker - Sept '06