Raid Pyrenean
DIFFICULTY:
CHALLENGING
Cycle the Raid Pyrenean, one of our must-do road cycling tours in France. Cycling the Pyrenees coast-to-coast from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, this 7-night trip is the ultimate challenge, crossing the most famous cols in the Pyrenees such as the Col du Tourmalet, famous in the Tour de France, the col d’Aspin or the col d’Aubisque.
€1,250.00
7 NIGHTS - AVAILABLE DATES:
29 JUN – 06 JUL, 2024 | 14 SEP – 21 SEP, 2024
The road surfaces are generally very good, even in the mountains ; the Pyrenees have the added advantage of being less-frequented than the Alps or the Mont Ventoux, and many of the quieter roads will really take you of the beaten track.
We provide a route card and daily maps with distance, elevation and route information. If you have a Garmin or other device, GPX route files are also available.
You will be accompanied by your local guide in the support vehicle, who will give you daily ride briefs and mechanical support. Your luggage is transported point-to-point in the support vehicle, as well as your daily bag and gear, so you carry only the essentials.
You will meet the guide at pre-decided rest stops to take on water and nutrition, as well as at the top of each climb. You can also flag down the support van at any stage if needed.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS RATING
Challenging - you have a good level of fitness and are looking for a physically challenging holiday. Previous experience is essential for activity based trips.
AIRPORT
Arrive at Bilbao airport.
Depart from Barcelona airport.
GITE
2 stars hotels or equivalent
INCLUDED
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Luggage transport during trip
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Airport transfers from Bilbao and to Barcelona airport
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7 night, B&B in a 2 star hotel or equivalent, in St Jean de Luz, Montory, Argeles Gazost, St Lary, St Girons, Ax les Thermes & Canet Plage based 2 people sharing per room
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7 breakfasts
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6 cycling days itineraries and support vehicle
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Typically one guide for the week (support vehicle and organization) from up to 12 pax
NOT INCLUDED
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Bike hire: from €250 to €350 for the week
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Single room supplement: €280 for the week
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Flights
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Individual insurance
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Beverages
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Lunches and dinners
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All extras not included in the itinerary
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Card fees. You can avoid fees by paying by bank transfer
Arrive in St Jean de Luz
Meet your France Outdoors guide at Bilbao airport and transfer to St Jean de Luz and check in to your hotel. If you arrive early why not go for a short cycle along the sea front towards Pointe de Ste Barbe. In the evening your guide will talk you through the cycling raid for this week and prepare the bikes. Stay in a 2 Star Hotel in St Jean for the night.
Dinner not included
Optional: Receive pre-booked bicyclesSt Jean de Luz – Col d’Osquich – Montory
Today you will warm up climbing the Col de St Ignace at 169m taking some altitude progressively to join the mountains. You will cycle through St Jean Pied de Port, the renowned medieval city on the Compostelle Way. Then you will climb the Col d’Osquich, officially at 392m of altitude but the road culminates at 500m. Then a nice ride down to Montory where you will spend the night.
Breakfast included – Lunch and dinner not included
Total Distance: 127 km Ascent : 1500 mMontory : Cols d’Aubisque & Soulor – Argeles Gazost
In the morning, you will cycle through the Basque hills before joining Laruns. This is the western starting point of the mythic Col d’Aubisque climb. You will challenge yourself on this “Hors Categorie” pass ascent: 17 km climb, 8 % average with sections at 10%. The pass is at 1709m of altitude, then after a short descent you will cycle up to the Col de Soulor, the last summit point before a superb descent to Arrens Marsous. You will then join Argeles Gazost where you will stay for the night.
Breakfast included Lunch and dinner not included
Total Distance: 118 Km Ascent: 2500 mArgeles Gazost – Saint Lary: Cols du Tourmalet & d’Aspin
Today, you will cycle the legendary Col du Tourmalet. At 2115 m altitude and climbed 52 times since 1947, which make it the col the most climbed of the Tour de France. Another “Hors Categorie” pass,with an 18km climb on an average slope at 8% and some sections at 10%. From the Col du Tourmalet the descent to Saint Marie de Campan is steep and requires care!
Then straight after the descent the second challenge of the day continues with the climb of the Col d’Aspin (“Catégorie 1”, 12,3 km from Saint Marie de Campan, 5,2% in average).
Stay in a 2 Star Hotel in Saint Lary.
Breakfast included Lunch and dinner not included
Total Distance: 95 Km Ascent : 2600 mSaint Lary – St Girons: Cols de Peyresourde, de Menté & du Portet d’Aspet
3 passes are waiting for you today. First you will climb the Col de Peyresourde, a “Catégorie 1” col with 20 km ascent at 4,5% in average with sections at 8%. Then you will cycle down to Bagnères de Luchon valley where the Tour de France stops regularly. From there cycle the Col de Mente to join the Col de Portet d’Aspet, a third category pass (4,3 km at 9,7%) that has been featured 30 times in the Tour de France since 1947.
Stay in 2 Star Hotel in St Girons for the night.
Breakfast included Lunch and dinner not included
Total Distance: 115 km Ascent: 2300 mSt Girons – Ax les Thermes: Caugnous pass – Col de Port – Col de Chioula
From St Girons, you will cycle towards the Col de Port another classic of the Tour de France, starting the climb from Massat the ascent is constant and doesn’t go over 6%. Then going down to Bompas where you will start the “route des corniches”, a road that overlook at the Ariège valley with great views. You will ascent the Col de Chioula (1431m of altitude). Then descent towards Ax les Thermes where you will spend the night.
Breakfast included Lunch and dinner not included
Total Distance 110 Km Ascent: 2100mAx Les Thermes – Canet Plage: Gorges de l’Aude
The last day cycling where you will be joining the Mediterranean coast.
Leaving the mountains, you will follow the rivers that come from the high peaks to join the sea, carving among the rocks the fabulous Gorges de l’Aude. Passing beautiful views over the Corbières vineyards, you will end your raid near Perpignan, on the Mediterranean.
Optional: Rented bicycles will be returned on arrival.
Stay in 2 Star Hotel in Canet.
Breakfast included Lunch and dinner not included
Total Distance: 135 km Ascent: 1600mTransfer to Airport
Enjoy your final morning in Canet Plage at your own pace before your transfer to Toulouse or Barcelona Airport. Farewell!
We hope you enjoyed your Pyrenees cycling holidays!
Breakfast included
TRIP ITINERARY
LOCATION
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
Excellent holiday. Tough but rewarding. Claude is excellent guide/host who really looked after us. He went out of his duty to organise stuff (massage) which was appreciated. I could recommend this trip!