THE PYRENEES, FRANCE 6-Day Cycling Tour SELF-GUIDED TOUR SUMMARY THE PYRENEES Mountain Villages and Classic Cols TOUR LENGTH 6 Days / 5 Nights Explore the rugged side of France where pristine valleys are framed by snow-dusted mountains and peppered with ancient villages. The culture and the food are rural, hearty START & END and deeply satisfying. And, at the end of the day, rejuvenate tired legs in vibrant spa towns. Tarbes The terrain in the Pyrenees is good for strong, enthusiastic riders as the routes include long climbs and twisting descents made famous by the Tour de France. Notable climbs BEST TIMES TO VISIT include the Col du Tourmalet, the Col d’Aspin, and the Col de Peyresourde. Intermediate riders might consider using an Road eBike. June to September The mountain climate means that high passes can have snow as late SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS RIDE OPTIONS as May or as early as October. Private transfer from Tarbes with bike set up Leisure and full route briefing at the start of your tour Intermediate* OPTIONAL EXTRAS Bilingual guides delivering superior service Challenge Alternative start/end location in Select accommodations with breakfast Toulouse or Toulouse Airport. Epic On-call roadside assistance Thermal spa days. * The hilly terrain means that Luggage moved between lodgings and optional Customize your route. some Intermediate riders participant transfers along the routes may be happier with an GPS units, maps, directions and guidebook eBike. Private transfer back to Tarbes at the end of your tour BIKES AVAILABLE DAY-BY-DAY FLOW Hybrid Day 1 Tarbes to Argelès-Gazost Road Day 2 Argelès-Gazost Loop Day Premium Road Day 3 Argelès-Gazost to Bagnères-de-Bigorre Road eBike Day 4 Bagnères-de-Bigorre to Saint-Lary Day 5 Saint-Lary Loop Day Day 6 Saint-Lary to Bagnères-de-Luchon 2 415.366.3806 lifecycleadventures.com & [email protected] ABOUT US WHY LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES OUR SELF-GUIDED TOURS At the start of your self-guided tour, your guide transfers you from your hotel, sets up your bike, and gives you a full route briefing. They then take care of all the behind-the- scenes logistics while you guide yourself along the routes; riding at your own pace and choosing a route that best suits your ability. Our support vans are nearby should you require assistance and your guide is also available by phone. Your GPS unit and cycling maps help you navigate while our best-in-class guidebooks tell you about the towns you will visit and the sights along your route. We also recommend places to eat and would be pleased to make reservations for you. When customizing your itinerary, you select your accommodation, trip duration, when you travel, and what type of bike you ride. This customization, support and insight helps make our self-guided tours the most personalized and well-supported in the industry. OUR GUIDES LifeCycle Adventures Typical Feature Self-Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours Our expert guides live in the areas in which you tour and have the passion and knowledge to deliver Dates & Duration Fully flexible Limited & fixed superior service and exceptional insight. Accommodation From Budget to Luxury Set GUIDE TO THE PYRENEES Routes From Leisure to Epic Some choice Day 1 in person Ride Briefings None or limited Daily by phone Van on call Ride Support None or limited Guide by phone Lunches & Dinners Help with reservations On your own My name is Greg Craig and I will be one of the guides taking care of you Pre- and Post-Tour Transfers Yes No during your tour. I was born in South Africa, grew up in England, and then moved to the Pyrenees where I live with my wife PRIVATE TOUR SPECIALISTS SINCE 2004 and daughter. With our unique blend of customized itineraries and personal service we create perfect I am the European Manager for cycling vacations for those who want to explore on their own terms. From the moment LifeCycle Adventures but also guide you contact us until the end of your tour, you will find us responsive, attentive and totally tours in my backyard; I love sharing focused on creating your perfect cycling vacation. our amazing riding with fellow enthusiasts. We donate 10% of our profits to cycling advocacy and reduce our carbon footprint using offsets while working towards making all our operations carbon neutral. I look forward to meeting you! Gregory Craig 3 415.366.3806 lifecycleadventures.com & [email protected] ABOUT US BOOK AND TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE MORE FLEXIBILITY AND ENHANCED SAFETY IN A TIME OF COVID It is always our objective to make your booking and travel as easy and worry-free as possible. To that end, we have taken tours that were already well-suited to safe travel and added a number of new features to truly make this a great way to explore in these challenging times. A Great Way to Vacation Book with Confidence Travel Safely Our Self-Guided and Private In these times of uncertainty, Our health-screened guides are Guided tours have always been we have improved our already available throughout your tour perfect for those wanting to get generous cancellation policy. and will wear masks and take off the beaten track and avoid distancing precautions. the crowds. Cancel penalty-free until March 1, 2021 for any tour starting Overnight accommodations Our tours have never mixed after April 30. After March 1, have been screened to help strangers together and have 2021, you have the choice of a ensure they follow distancing always been limited to just your refund or a credit for a future protocols and sanitize rooms group. All transportation is tour.* between guests. private – for just you and your travel companions. If you are unable to travel due Our equipment, from bikes to to travel restrictions, you can vans, are sanitized before and You are in control: stop as much choose to postpone your tour after serving guests. or as little as you like, eat where for up to two years.* you choose, and only visit the sights you want. * - See the Terms and Conditions at the end of this itinerary for details of our cancellation policy. 4 415.366.3806 lifecycleadventures.com & [email protected] DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 Tarbes to Argelès-Gazost RIDE OPTIONS Your trip starts with a van transfer to the rural Intermediate hamlet of Ibos – 6 miles west of Tarbes and 100 You ride across rolling 30 miles with miles southwest of Toulouse. You ride south from 1,900 feet of climbing the village across rolling farmland and through farmland and through remote hamlets; typically, just a cluster of houses remote villages towards Challenge with a church and a manor. 50 miles with the snow-capped peaks 5,300 feet of climbing As you skirt around the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, you enter the foothills of the Pyrenees and start of the Pyrenees climbing. The Intermediate route climbs gently up to Argelès-Gazost along a rails-to-trails bike path paralleling the fast-flowing River Ousse. The hills close in on either side of the river and you glimpse OVERNIGHT TOWN the snow-capped peaks that lie ahead. Argelès-Gazost At 1,500 feet above sea level and The route follows the Intermediate Challenge surrounded by mountains, this route until shortly before Argelès-Gazost where it pretty spa town is well cared for detours up Hautacam. This is a challenging climb with many flower beds, panoramic that starts at an altitude of 1,500 feet and climbs terraces, and fountains. The up to 5,000 feet in a little over eight miles. The road Tuesday market is the oldest of the ends at the ski lifts from where you descend down valley and includes local fare such as to Argelès-Gazost. sheep’s cheese, honey, blueberries, and charcuterie. DAY 2 Argelès-Gazost Loops RIDE OPTIONS Today’s riding takes you into the Pyrenees National Intermediate Park – a sanctuary for flora and fauna that stretches One of the last pockets 20 miles with for 60 miles along the French border with Spain. 2,900 feet of climbing This is one of the last pockets of true wilderness of true wilderness left left in France. Small lanes twist up the side of snow- in France – stretching Challenge capped mountains and cows roam freely across the 40 miles with unfenced valleys. for 60 miles along the 7,400 feet of climbing Epic The Epic ride takes you on a mountainous border with Spain 75 miles with adventure over three high cols – Bordères, Soulor, 8,600 feet of climbing and Aubisque – and down to Asson in the Ouzom Valley. The riding is literally breath-taking as are the views. OVERNIGHT TOWN The Challenge route is equally stunning but with less climbing and half the mileage. The ride ends Argelès-Gazost with the Col de Spandelles: a small winding lane that At 1,500 feet above sea level and climbs 2,750 feet in ten miles before descending surrounded by mountains, this through thick woodland to Argelès-Gazost. pretty spa town is well cared for with many flower beds, panoramic The route also takes you deep into Intermediate terraces, and fountains. The the Pyrenees National Park: to the Lac d’Estaing Tuesday market is the oldest of the situated at the top of the valley at an altitude of valley and includes local fare such as 3,800 feet. On the lake at the top of the climb, there sheep’s cheese, honey, blueberries, is a café that makes a great lunch stop. and charcuterie. 5 415.366.3806 lifecycleadventures.com & [email protected] DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 3 Argelès-Gazost to Bagnères-de-Bigorre RIDE OPTIONS The ride takes you over the famous Col Challenge Towards the top of the Intermediate du Tourmalet.