TDF cycling holiday in the Pyrenees

INCLUDED	7 nights guest house B&B 2h pass to Balnea thermal spa Guided visit to local producers’ market	6 evening meals inc. drinks Route advice & maps
NOT INCLUDED	Flights	Personal Insurance
OPTIONS	Bike hire Non-cycling friends and family welcome	Airport transfer (Toulouse) Group discounts

If you’re a keen road cyclist then the Tour de France is sure to be the highlight of your cycling year. So why not enjoy a cycling holiday in France on which you get to watch the race ‘in the flesh’.

Every year, some of the most exciting action takes place on the iconic cols of the Pyrenees mountains.

This cycling holiday in the Pyrenees is a fantastic opportunity for the keen amateur cyclist to not only see their heroes up close and personal but also to challenge themselves on the very same cols that are ridden by the pros.

The Tour de France up close and personal

On the Tour stage days, you’ll set off early before the roads close and ride up to one of the cols that the pros will be tackling that day.

You’ll be enthusiastically cheered on by the spectators who are already congregating on the hairpins with shouts of ‘allez allez’! It’s quite a buzz!

Then, sit back and await the arrival of the publicity ‘caravane’ which will precede the riders by around 2 hours. This is always great fun and your opportunity to collect all kinds of TDF paraphernalia to take home.

The atmosphere builds as you hear the first hum of the helicopters overhead. Your guides will have chosen the perfect vantage point so you can catch a glimpse of the first riders approaching the hairpins.

Cheer on your favourites as they pass within just a few metres of where you’re standing and shout words of encouragement to the back-markers. When the last of the riders and the ‘voiture balai’ have passed through, it’s time for a fun descent back down to town.

Cycle the Pyrenees cols

Your TDF cycling holiday will include comprehensive route advice to enable you to experience the full range of road cycling that the central Pyrenees have to offer.

If you’ve come as a group you may already have a tick-list of cols that you’d like to tackle as part of your trip. These may include some of the other legendary cols of the area such as the port de Bales, Col d’Aspin or even the Tourmalet.

But we’ll enable you to discover some of the lesser known gems of the central Pyrenees too.

You’ll love the beautiful climb up to the Lac de Cap-de-Long or the underrated Hourquette d’Ancizan and the spicy Hospice de France.

Profiles for all of the cols of the central Pyrenees can be provided prior to your trip so you can draw up your bucket-list.

Afraid you’ve not got the legs to do the cols justice? No worries, you can hire an e-roadie which will give you whatever level of assistance you need.

The accommodation for your TDF week is a welcoming 5 bedroom traditional property on the edge of a little village in the Louron Valley below the stage finish at the Peyragudes resort where the dramatic final moments of this mountain stage will be taking place.

Tour de France guest house in the Pyrenees

The British owner, James, lives in a private part of the building. The guests’ wing has 5 en suite bedrooms made up of two doubles, two twins and a room with bunk beds.

The property can accommodate a maximum of 10 people and is ideal for 2 or 3 families or a group of friends on holiday together.

Guests have their own spacious living/dining room with comfy settees and armchairs and an honesty bar that you are welcome to use.

Your stay includes 7 nights accommodation as well as a hearty breakfast each morning, afternoon tea with freshly baked cake, pre-dinner canapés and a three course evening meal on 6 evenings.

Wine and beer or soft drinks are included with meals and you have access to a well stocked honesty bar too.

Certain dietary requirements can be catered for.

Cyclists and mountain bikers will appreciate the secure storage facility for their bikes!