FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE WED 1 JUL | ARRIVAL
Arrive into Toulouse the day before, and we will pick you up bright and early for the transfer by van to Bagnères-de-Luchon. It will be a two hour drive, so on arrival at our hotel we'll settle in and make sure the bikes are ready to ride. After a light lunch we'll head out on a leisurely shake-out ride 'toddling' up the Port de Bales.
DISTANCE | 40KM | 24KM
ELEVATION | 1100M | 3600FT
DAY TWO THU 2 JUL | BAGNERES LOOP
A favourite in the Tour de France today's loop takes in the Col du Portillon. The Portillon is a solid but beautiful climb through the trees, with the rushing Garonne river for company on most of the ride. You can choose whether to have the climb at the beginning or end of the course.
DISTANCE | 60KM | 37MI
ELEVATION | 1100M | 3600FT
DAY THREE FRI 3 JUL | BAGNERES TO SAINT-LARY
A duo of ascents that the Tour de France has classified as Cat 1 or Hors Categorie in tours of the past. Our course heads uphill from the get-go, as we gradually wind our way to the top of the Col de Peyresourde. This a great climb with the switch backs easy to see swinging back and forth across the high ground. Once over a thrilling descent before turning left for the slopes of the Col d'Azet. This is a tough one but half the length of the Peyresourde. Downhill to our hotel in Saint-Lary.
DISTANCE | 50KM | 31MI
ELEVATION | 1600M | 5250FT
DAY FOUR SAT 4 JUL | LOOP VIA HORQUETTE D'ANCIZAN
A relative newcomer to the Tour de France, the course today heads up the open slopes of the Horquette d'Ancizan. Keep your eyes open for the beautiful horses that often share the road. It will be cows at the summit of the next climb, the Col d'Aspin and a fantastic descent into Arreau. Choose to head up the valley directly to Saint-Lary, or do the full ascent from Arrea of the Col d'Azet. With water a feature all the way to Lake Loudenvielle, ducks may be next!
DISTANCE | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATION | 2350M | 7700FT
DAY FIVE SUN 5 JUL | OPTIONAL REST DAY
Take it easy today, or choose one or both of two brilliant out-and-back optional routes. The first is Col Cap du Long, climbing to the lake along quiet, narrow roads. The second is the Pla d'Adet, a stage finish in at least one Tour de France. Right on our door step, this is almost a must!
DISTANCE | 47KM | 29MI
ELEVATION | 1550M | 5050FT
DISTANCE | 23KM | 14MI
ELEVATION | 850M | 2800FT
DAY SIX MON 6 JUL | SAINT-LARY TO ARGELES GAZOST
Blast down the valley to Arreau before turning left and climbing our signature ascent of the day, the Col d'Aspin. This side is beautiful to climb, especially if there is morning mist about. Glorious downhill course for 25KM, before a bit of a hump enroute to our next stop, Argelès-Gazost.
DISTANCE | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATION | 1450M | 4750FT
DAY SEVEN TUE 7 JUL | LOOP TO COL D'AUBISQUE
Two mountains to climb, three passes to notch up. Today's route takes us up one of those hors categorie cols that is the stuff of TDF legend, the Col d'Aubisque. To get there one must, inevitably from Argelès, surmount the Col de Soulor first. From there you are treated to a short downhill before the final push to the summit of Col d'Aubisque. We will return via the lesser known Col de Spandelles.
DISTANCE | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATION | 2400M | 7870FT
DAY EIGHT WED 8 JUL | LOOP TO PAU
Delightful, undulating ride, perfect for turning the legs over, as we head to Pau for the finish of Stage 5 of the Tour de France. Explore this lovely town, the site of the first balloon and the Wright brothers' plane flights. We'll get to see which sprinter flies across the finish line on this flat stage. Then a van transfer back to Argeles Gazost.
DISTANCE | 65KM | 40MI
ELEVATION | 850M | 2800FT
DAY NINE THU 9 JUL | COL DU TOURMALET
Fantastic finale as we ride to the Col du Tourmalet. For those of you who did the Trench tour a few years ago, this is an ascent of the side you gazed down upon, through the clouds to the west.
We'll ride early so you can choose your spot to watch the Pro's. See who gets the jump in the polka dot and leader jerseys with the first mountain stages of this year's tour.
Celebrations over dinner to wind up another brilliant tour!
DISTANCE | 80KM | 50MI
ELEVATION | 2100M | 6900FT
DAY TEN FRI 10 JUL | GOODBYE
Morning transfer to Toulouse, a journey of about 1 hour. Plan homeward travel from midday onwards.
Time to say farewell, until next time.
Ride safe Puntos!