TRIP DETAILS
Duration: 7 days
Dates: Friday 11th July to Thursday 17th July
Start-Finish: Pyrenees (Pau airport or Lourdes train station)
Accommodation: 3* Chalet
Group Size: Maximum 20 people (3 Staff)
Deposit: USD* $938 - Secure your spot now.
Cost:USD* $1584
A Week in the Pyrenees
Who’s this trip for?
This 6 day/ 5 night trip is for anyone who wants to combine the fantastic atmosphere and excitement of Tour de France 2008 with some big days out cycling in the Pyrenees. A real cycling enthusiasts holiday, the non-stage visit days will give you the opportunity to ride many of the famous climbs in this part of the Alps, such as Col de Tourmalet, Col de Peyresourde, Col de Aspin, Hautacam and more. The trip is also suitable for non-cycling partners.
Why are we different?
With Bikestyle Tours and alpcycles.com you get the best of both worlds! As well as stage visits and big rides, you stay in a 3* traditional French mountain chalet, which is your base for the whole trip. A real home from home for cycling fans with a team of guides and hosts devoted to making your stay unforgettable. Our trips have a reputation for being really sociable and fun, because we keep our group sizes under 25 people, with good ratios of guides. You are not just a number you are our guest and a number one priority!
Our Pyrenees chalet this year has been picked for its really amazing location in the mountains. It is at the foot of the famous Col de Tourmalet and stage 10 comes right past the sunny terrace, literally! The chalet hosts will provide fantastic home-cooked cuisine and it is a great place to relax and socialise in the evenings. After all, you are on holiday, so that means you can have a beer at the local bar to keep tabs on the Tour too!
Daily Itinerary
Friday 11th July
Transfer from Pau airport or Lourdes Train Station.
Arrive at our chalet in Bareges and meet the team who will be with you all week. After setting up your bike, enjoy a fabulous home-cooked “welcome” dinner, chill and chat about the week ahead.
Saturday 12th July
Today is our first guided riding day and a good chance to get acclimatised. So you’ll head out into the local area and enjoy the scenery, as our guides take you up some local climbs and warm your legs up nice and easy.
Afternoon tea & dinner at the chalet.
Sunday 13th July
Stage 9, Toulouse – Bagneres de Bigorres
Today the riders tackle the first high mountain stage of the Tour de France 2008. We will climb the Col de Aspin to cheer them on as they summit and ascend towards the stage finish in Bagneres de Bigorres.
Afternoon tea & sumptuous dinner at the chalet.
Monday 14th July
Stage 10, Pau - Hautacam
Stage 10 sees the riders fight it out in the second of the high mountain stages, including an ascent of the mighty Col de Tourmalet. As we are staying at the foot of the col, there will be plenty of ride/watch options today, so sit back and enjoy the show!
Afternoon tea & dinner at the chalet.
Tuesday 15th July
Rest Day
Today is a rest day in the Tour de France and we will make the most of it with an epic final days riding, which will send you home tired but satisfied, with plenty of great memories and stories to tell.
Afternoon tea and another fantastic dinner in the evening.
Wednesday 16th July
Stage 11, Lannemezan - Foix
It’s our last day in the beautiful Pyrenean mountains and the options today will be to either take a trip to wave the riders off as they depart from Lannemezan and away from the Pyrenees or stay in the local area and explore more of the popular cols (and the views). If you just feel like chilling for the day go ahead. Take in some sights, relax on the terrace or have a long, lazy lunch in a local restaurant.
In the evening we will have a farewell dinner at the chalet.
Thursday 17th July
Bikestyle Tours and alpcycles.com transfer to Pau airport or Lourdes Train Station.
What’s included:
- Return transfers from/to Pau airport or Lourdes train station.
- 3 stage visit days to the Tour de France 2008
- 2 big guided ride days with the Bikestyle Tours and alpcycles.com team (or the option to do your own thing)
- 6 days at our 3* catered chalet in the heart of the Pyrenees.
- Half board including breakfast, afternoon tea and fantastic home-cooked 2 course meals every night.
- Wine included.
- Cereal bars and energy drink to keep you fuelled-up.
- Secure storage for your bikes (we know how much you love them).
What’s not:
- Flights
- Laundry facilities (a small extra charge payable in resort)
Cost of holiday per person: USD* $1584 (based on room share in non-en suite rooms), deposit USD* $938 - Secure your spot now.
