New: Etape Training Camps run by the Etape organisers - 3 or 6 days including riding the route - May and July. Download the PDF for full details.
L’Étape du Tour Mondovélo - Sunday, July 6th 2008
L’Étape du Tour Mondovélo is coming back to Pau, the sixteenth edition will start in the Béarn capital and will take you to the Hautes-Pyrénées department. It will follow the itinerary of the 10th stage of the 2008 Tour de France: Pau / Hautacam.
The most significant point of the route will be the Tourmalet, the biggest summit of the Pyrénées with 23.4km (average 7%) and the finish at Hautacam with more than 15km and an average of 7%.
It will once again be an occasion for close to 9,000 keen amateurs to follow in the tracks of cycling’s greatest.
The 16th edition of the most coveted amateur bike race in France will pass through the Pyrénées Atlantiques and the Hautes-Pyrénées. The start will be from Pau, Prefecture city of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and 61 times a stage town on the Tour de France. After a 165 km course there will be a hill-top finish in Hautacam, a winter sports resort of spectacular natural beauty with extraordinary views of the Pic du Midi and the Val d’Azum. Hautacam has a big history in the Tour de France. Indurian, Riis and Armstrong have all fought epic battles here and gone on to win the Tour de France.
This stage will be rich and intense on a course designed for cycling’s elite, like all stages on the Tour. Dedicated amateurs will all be present to tackle the two difficulties of this stage: the Col du Tourmalet via la Mongie, a climb of more than 17 km at a 7.5% gradient, culminating in the ascension towards Hautacam, a climb of 14 km at a 7.2% gradient.
As usual, the “Host Village” will be open for two days before the event: on Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of July, in Pau. And for the first time this Village will be set up on Pau racecourse in order to welcome all participants. Bib numbers and all necessary race information may be collected here.
Bikestyle Tours will be offering a range of options for people wanting to compete in the L’Étape du Tour Mondovélo 2008.
Note: To enter l’Étape du Tour you require a medical certificate from a doctor.
It should be to the effect that you are fit to take part in a cycling competition.
No certificate - no entry!
Bikestyle Tours Guided Trip
Includes: Entry, 3 Star Quality Accommodation, Breakfast, 4 dinners and Transport.
Cost: AUD $1590 Twin Share (Single Supplement AUD $195, Extra Nights AUD $145)
Duration: 4 days (3 Nights)
Dates: Friday 4 July to Monday 7 July 2008
Start-Finish: Lourdes
Accommodation: 3 Star Quality, Breakfast, dinners each night (Based in Lourdes)
Group Size: Maximum 40 people
Deposit: USD* $469 - Reserve your trip now.
Please read below for full details
Bikestyle Tours Self-Guided Trip
Includes: Entry, 3 Star Accommodation, Breakfast, dinners each night.
Cost: AUD $990 Twin Share (Single Supplement AUD $195, Extra nights AUD $145)
Duration: 4 days (3 Nights)
Dates: Friday 4 July to Monday 7 July 2008
Start-Finish: Lourdes
Accommodation: 3 Star Quality, Breakfast, 4 course dinners (Based in Lourdes)
Deposit: USD* $469 - Reserve your trip now.
Bikestyle Tours Accommodation only
Includes: 3 Star Quality Accommodation, Breakfast, dinners each night.
Cost: AUD $590 Twin Share (Single Supplement AUD $195, Extra nights AUD $145)
Duration: 4 days (3 Nights)
Dates: Friday 4 July to Monday 7 July 2008
Accommodation: 3 Star Quality, Breakfast, 4 course dinners each night (Based in Lourdes)
Deposit: USD* $469 - Reserve your trip now.
Please read below for full details
If self-guided, you will need to hire a car.
Bikestyle Tours ENTRY ONLY (No strings attached)
Cost: USD* $366
If you would like to reserve your l’Étape entry go to our Reserve a Trip page.
Why Lourdes?
Lourdes is ideally based just 40km from the start in Pau and only 15km from the base of the final climb, the Hautacam. I know when I finish an event all I want to do is have something to eat and a shower, hence our belief is that we will be able to get you to the hotel and into the shower nice and quickly after the race. We hope you agree.
We have chosen a newly renovated 3 star hotel in a quiet location with all conveniences including air conditioning, English TV and great food so that you can be relaxed and prepared come race day.
What is l’Étape du Tour?
L’Étape du Tour (French for ’stage of the Tour’) is an organised mass participation cyclosportive event that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage. First held in 1993, and organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation, ASO (in conjunction with Vélo Magazine), it takes place each July, normally on a Tour rest day.
L’Etape du Tour is normally held over mountain roads in either the Pyrenees or French Alps, up climbs such as the Col du Galibier, Col d’Aubisque, Mont Ventoux or the Col du Tourmalet. Around 9000 riders participate - many travelling from other countries in order to compete - and the event takes place on roads closed by the police to other traffic, with refreshment stops and medical support provided along the route.
So as you can see it is not for the faint hearted. It is usually selected because of its difficulty!
We would like to stress that this is not an event to be taken lightly. Proper preparation is required for the event including regular training and a number of long rides similar in distance to the actual event.
In 2006 of the 7,548 starters, only 5,477 finished within the time limit.
Want to know more?
Read the article Riding the l’Étape du Tour by Mark Sharon on the Cyclingnews Website
Visit the l’Etape du Tour Website: http://www.letapedutour.com
Detailed Itinerary for Guided Trip
Friday, 4 July 2008
Arrival and Ride
There will be someone to meet you at the Lourdes Train Station and assist you to your transport which will transfer you to our hotel nearby.
We recommend a mid morning to early afternoon arrival to prevent the possibility of having to wait for your room to be made ready and allow time to assemble your bike and go for a ride.
We have found from experience that one of the first things most cyclists want to do is to have a short ride to shake out the cobwebs after the trip. There is a bike path all the way down to the base of the Hautacam so we’ll probably head down there in the afternoon.
However the first job will be to assemble your bike and Bikestyle staff will be available to assist if you have any problems.
We expect some of you will have arrived a few days earlier and may want to meet us at our hotel in Lourdes. If you have arrived early and require extra accommodation in the area we can help you there as well (Extra Nights AUD $145).
The first job will be to assemble your bike and Bikestyle Tours staff will be available to assist if you have any problems. We will organise a ride in the afternoon and then there should be time to rest up before the welcome dinner in the evening.
Our accommodation is on a half board basis, breakfast and evening meal.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Visit to Village and Ride
This morning we will leave the hotel by bus and go to Pau where we will sign on and collect our race pack and have a look at the huge Expo they have set up there.
As usual, the “Host Village” will be open for two days before the event: Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of July, in PAU.
And for the first time this Village will be set up on Pau racecourse in order to welcome all participants. Bib numbers and all necessary race information may be collected here.
After you have signed on and had a look around the Host Village we will return to the hotel by bike or bus.
It will be our intention to follow the first part of the course so we get familiarised for tomorrow.
We would like to be back at the hotel in time to see the final hour or two of today’s first stage of the Tour de France.
For the first time in more than forty years, the 2008 Tour de France will begin with a straight stage. Usually only a small number of specialists in solitary effort can aspire to winning the first yellow jersey. Next year however, near to two hundred riders will be dreaming that this Holy Grail is within their reach. A remarkable first stage, from Brest and its great sailing ships to Plumelec, where bold challengers, sprinters and – perhaps – potential candidates for final victory will all have the opportunity to win fame.
Dinner will be provided tonight at the hotel.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
L’Étape du Tour Mondovélo
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for! The start is 7.00am so we will be up bright and early for breakfast and head off to the start. It won’t be long and you’ll be on your way, full of enthusiasm as you head up the valley with 8000 other cyclists. Soon after you’ll be wondering what you were thinking when you signed on for this trip and that’s how it will go through the day. Your enthusiasm will be going up and down with the mountains until you finally arrive at the top of Hautacam.
The bus will drop you off at Pau and leave straight away for the base of Hautacam so we can be ready for your arrival. We will position ourselves at the base of the climb on the course. When you complete the event and have something to eat you can descend to the bus (it’s quicker and easier than vehicles) and we will shuttle people to our hotel 15km away on a regular basis so you’re not waiting around for others to finish.
Tonight we will celebrate your success with a dinner and a few drinks. (Dinner will be provided tonight at the hotel.)
Monday, 7 July 2008
Departure
Today the trip ends and you depart Lourdes. This morning you will need to pack your bike ready to leave. We will be arranging transport to the Train Station.
Tired but happy we hope you have enjoyed the experience and that we see you again.
What’s Included:
- Guaranteed Race Entry
- Train pick-ups and returns.
- All breakfasts and evening meals are included.
- 3 Star Quality Hotel accommodation. Prices are based on double/twin occupancy. Single travellers will be assigned a similar roommate.
- Expert advice (including rides)
- Transport to and from the event each day.
- Cycling guides for organised rides.
- Maps and ride descriptions.
- Mechanical Assistance.
- Tourist information on the places we will visit.
- General information on travelling in France with lots of helpful tips.
- Before the trip we provide access to a secure website containing comprehensive information to help in your preparation for the trip. We also have a forum where you can chat with people who will be travelling with you on the trips.
2008 Course Profile
