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POLKA DOT CYCLING Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 POLKA DOT CYCLING www.polkadotcycling.com Pyrenees, Andorra to Girona “Classic Climbs of the French, Spanish & Andorran Pyrenees, finishing in the beautiful town of Girona.” TOUR SUMMARY A fantastic ride through the beautiful forested French, Spanish & Andorran Pyrenees finishing by winding our way through the Catalanyan climbs into the stunning town of Girona. Tour de France merges with the Vuelta with the riding highlights including some of the most famous mountain passes of both races history; Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Portillon, Bonaigua, Ordino, pulled together using our extensive local knowledge There will also be plenty of time to soak up the history of this fascinating region. As always, we’ve structured the route with lots of flexible ride options available every day, including some lighter days and an optional rest day as well as optional extra climbs everyday for those that want more riding, thanks to our best in the business guide to rider ratio and van support. Tour Highlights • Ride the highest pass in the French Pyrenees, the infamous Col de Tourmalet and the highest pass in the Spanish Pyrenees, the Bonaguia • The spectacular scenery of the forested Pyrenees and the stunning Catalan climbs around Girona • Experience the beautiful principality of Andorra and stay for 2 nights • Ride into the historic city of Girona, home to many pro cyclists • 7 days of riding with 2 lighter days and an optional Rest Day included on the standard route • Optional climbs on every day; Superbagneres, Port de Bailes, Pla d’Adet, Araclis • Chance to really explore both sides of the Pyrenees. • The “Pro” experience includes the best in the business on road support. • Transfers from Bordeaux and back to Barcelona airport. Dates: 24th July to 1st August 2021 Days: 9 (7 Days Riding) Price: £2155 Single Supp: £365 Deposit: £275 Bike Hire: £240 Arrival: Bordeaux Airport Departure: Barcelona Airport Contact: [email protected] Tel: 0044 1869 278130. Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 POLKA DOT CYCLING www.polkadotcycling.com Pyrenees, Andorra to Girona “Classic Climbs of the French, Spanish & Andorran Pyrenees, finishing in the beautiful town of Girona.” ARRIVAL ‘Bonjour de la Pyrenees’ We will meet you at Bordeaux airport to transfer you to our hotel, in Oloron-St-Marie in the heart of the Pyrenees ( 2 ½ hr transfer). On arrival we will build the bikes, check in, and then take a short ride, if you wish, to spin out those legs. Please make sure you arrive into Bordeaux airport by 12.00pm ready for our transfer at 1.00pm. Oloron is at the start of the famous chain of climbs, Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde so a great place to get straight into Tour history. DAY 1 Aubisque, Soulour & (O) Marie Blanque 90km and 2130m of climbing or 95km and 2680m of climbing We start with a gently ride up the valley from Oloron to Lurbe Saint Cristau where you have the option to carry on, on a gentle rise to the start of our first climb of the week, the Aubisque or take the route over the much feared Marie Blanque! The Aubisque features regularly in the Tour when it comes to this area. It’s a stunning climb with quite a spectacular balcony road connecting it to the Soulor, which from this side is quite a short climb. Both are a great introduction to Pyrenean riding. If you’ve chosen the Marie Blanque route, it will be a bit more of sharp start but great climb to conquer! Stay – Argeles Gazost DAY 2 Tourmalet, Aspin & (O) Pla d’Adet 88km & 2560m of climbing or 110km & 3640m of climbing The hardest day of the trip, but that’s good as it comes after you have found your legs, but still fresh! The Col de Tourmalet is the Alpe d’Huez of the Pyrenees and this side is the much quieter, and in our opinion, prettier side, with the road snaking up above you to the famous monument at the top of climb at 2300m. It’s a climb on most people’s bucket list. After this we then climb the very steady Aspin before descending down to the lovely ski town of St Lary Soulan. If you’ve not had enough, then there is Pla d’Adet rising above the town with it’s far reaching views as the optional climb today. Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 POLKA DOT CYCLING www.polkadotcycling.com Pyrenees, Andorra to Girona “Classic Climbs of the French, Spanish & Andorran Pyrenees, finishing in the beautiful town of Girona.” DAY 3 Azet, Peyresourde & (O)Port de Bailes 44km and 1490m of climbing or 75km and 2640m of climbing A lighter day today to follow yesterday. We take the scenic route over the Azet and down to the lake to connect with the Peyresourde. The azet was used in the 2019 edition of the Tour as well as the Peyresourde. The Peyresourde starts very steadily and is quite a straight climb up the top. Nothing too steep and great views down to Luchon from the summit. This climb has featured quite a bit in the Tour recently, finishing up the steep climb to Peyregudes from the Peyresourde. You then have the option to descend to the beautiful spa town of Bagneres-de-Luchon for a relaxing afternoon or take on the Port de Bailes climb. DAY 4 Portillon. Bonagia & (O)Superbagneres 92km and 2370m 0f climbing or 125km and 3600m of climbing The optional climb comes in the morning today, to give those that wish to time to further explore Luchon. An early 8am start will get us back in plenty of time to do the rest of the day. Superbagneres is a ski station high above Luchon, often used as a stage finish in the Tour. It’s quite a long climb by Pyrenees standards at 18km. After picking up the rest of the group around 11am, we then ride into Spain over the Portillon, a short 9km climb before taking on the Tourmalet of the Spanish Pyrenees, the Bonaguia. Rising to the same height as the Tourmalet this climb ensures we have done the two highest passes in the Pyrenees. A quiet climb away from the crowds. Tonight we stay in the Spanish town of Llvarsi. Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 POLKA DOT CYCLING www.polkadotcycling.com Pyrenees, Andorra to Girona “Classic Climbs of the French, Spanish & Andorran Pyrenees, finishing in the beautiful town of Girona.” Day 5 Rubio, Massana & (O) Bixessarri 92km and 2140m of climbing or 114km and 3030m of climbing. A short hop over the Rubio at the start of today and then we ride into Andorra from the South, through to the lovely ski town of Massana, our home for 2 nights. It’s climbing all the way into this principality but easy climbing and chance to take in the subtle changes in culture and architecture. Our optional climb today, is a turn off before Massana and the windy climb of Bixterra used as the penultimate climb in this years Vuelta. DAY 6 Ordino, En Camp & (O) Arcalis or Rest 46km and 1415m of climbing or 92km and 2595m of climbing. A big Vuelta day today following the climbs of Stage 9 of this year’s race. It takes in all the famous climbs in Andorra. The standard route today is a loop starting with the En camp climb. An 11km climb with lots of hairpins up through a beautiful forest. This is shortly followed by the equally windy Ordino climb. Nothing too steep just lots of hairpins and lovely views before returning to Massana for another night. The optional climb today is up to the ski resort of Arcalis. A 20km rising up to one of the highest points in Andorra. A great very quiet climb. As we are staying in Andorra one more night tonight you also have the option of a rest day to explore the region at your leisure or just relax for the day. Telephone: +44 (0)1869 278 130 POLKA DOT CYCLING www.polkadotcycling.com Pyrenees, Andorra to Girona “Classic Climbs of the French, Spanish & Andorran Pyrenees, finishing in the beautiful town of Girona.” DAY 7 Catalonian climbs (O) Rocacroba 83km and 2180m of climbing or 113km and 3300m of climbing. First thing this morning we do a transfer (1hr) to the town of Ripoll, the start of our riding. Time for a quick coffee, while we unpack the bikes and then we take a quiet route over the undulating hills, passing through very typical Catalan villages and the training ground of many pros that live in Girona. We ride past the lake at Banyoles, where you have the option to ride the famous 11km climb of the Rocacorba, used by the pros as preparation for racing and Grand Tours. Tonight we are staying right in the historic centre, which is amazing to wander around. We should arrive mid afternoon so there will be time to explore the town before we head out in the evening for our farewell meal. DEPARTURE DAY ‘Adios’ After breakfast we transfer you to Barcelona airport (1 ½ hr transfer). Please book flights to depart after 1.00pm. Please note on this trip, we will be doing one transfer for everyone around 9-10am depending on flight times. BARCELONA – Barcelona is a beautiful city steeped in arhictectural and artitisic history. You may decide to take the opportunity to stay on for a few days and explore this wonderful city. If you do our advice would be to leave your bike box at left luggage in the airport (pre-booking required) and travel into the city by train.
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