Le Tour de France
– Being there, on a famous pass like Col d'Aubisque, anticipating the arrival of the peloton after a victorious climb of your own, is something every cycling enthusiast should have on Life's To-Do List. I'll never forget the comment of a friend after we pedaled up Col d'Aspin to watch the racing colors whiz past us, grimaces and sweat droplets of our favorite riders in plain view, just inches from us. The spirit that emanated from the roadside seemed to sweep the exhausted peloton up the mountain. Giddy as a little kid, Paul turned with amazement and remarked, "No other sporting event in the world affords every spectator a ring-side seat. Incredible." We invite you to ride with us and take your own ring-side seat for the 2006 Tour de France.
We'll bring you the best of Le Tour and this 250-mile, Atlantic-to-Mediterranean range of mountains to your pedals. Like with our Alps trip, we've chosen spectacular ride routes in conjunction with the Tour de France, starting in the Hautes-Pyrénées which include the highest and most spectacular glacier-studded granite massifs; then making our way west over the Pyrénées Atlantiques with its jagged limestone peaks into the rolling green foothills and topographically and linguistically distinct Basque region. Sumptuous dining and accommodations. And in Dude Girl style, we've organized some local surprises along the way to give you an up-close-and-personal look at this beautiful southwest region of France.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to the Pyrenees -- Hit the Ground Riding!
We love it here and can’t wait to share the riding, the food, our friends and the pleasures of the French countryside.
After an early morning pick-up, we'll whisk you into the foothills and warm up with a
moderate ride (with hard options) that will lead us into the heart of
the Pyrenees. Dinner hour will find us around a family style table
in a cellar-like room of stone washed in candles’ glow. I find this the
perfect setting for our first evening together - convivial, easy, warm.
Tiny roads. Old bridges
will see. ◊ Then saddle up and ride a local Basque loop, perhaps making stops to enjoy watching a game of Pelota in the village's nearby Pelota court or tasting the Gateau Basque, a traditional cake filled with crème or fruit conserve. ◊ Relax in the afternoon with massage. ◊ Enjoy an evening at the tables of Madame and Monsieur Arce, whose local gastronomique cuisine is well-known throughout the region.
◊ Ride Distance: 30 miles, 57 miles
◊ Climbs: Col de Spandelles Hautacam
◊ Tour rests today.
Day 2
Cirques and Valleys
We're so close to extraordinary Gavarnie that we can't miss it.
We'll ride to this incredible glacier-carved cirque, and hike up to the base
of the plummeting falls.
Pays Basque
Afterward, take your pick of short, medium
and long ride options that convene at our hotel, where we'll dress for
a superb dinner at a nearby restaurant run by our friend and Chef Jean
Pierre Saint-Martin. With his sous-chef son at his side, who is 7th
generation in the village, this beautiful family will share with you
their family legacy of fine cooking that is well-known throughout
France. The village and this family hold a special place in my heart.
You will see why.
◊ Ride Level: Medium
◊ Ride Distance: 42 miles, 60 miles
◊ Climbs: Moderate climbs through glacier-cut valleys to Cirques base villages.
Day 3
Tour comes to town!
Today we'll see the Tour! After a colorful breakfast, we'll climb
over Col d'Aubisque, my favorite climb in the Pyrenees and one of my
favorites in France.
Pastry stop, and then up Col de Marie Blanc,
where we (and the local cows) will be warming your Tour viewing spot
Breathtaking scenery from
top of Col d'Aubisque
along this enchanting pastoral road. Lovely. We'll continue our
ride
after the Tour passes, and then take a short transfer back to our hotel
for a hearty farewell meal prepared by our gracious hostess, Francoise,
and her team.
◊ Ride Level: Hard
◊ Ride Distance: 70 miles
◊ Climbs: Col d'Aubisque, Col de Marie Blanc
◊ Catch the Tour on Col de Marie Blanc!
◊ Ride Level: Hard
◊ Ride Distance: 71 miles
◊ Climbs: Col du Glandon
◊ Catch the Tour at the Bourg d'Oisans Start!
Day 4
Pyrenean Monster, Plus More Tour Action
You never know what your
next obstacle will be when
you're climbing in the Pyrenees
Today is a big day - for us and for the Tour riders. We'll climb the
Pyrenean monster, Tourmalet, before heading up Col d'Aspin and finding
another perfect Tour viewing perch.
After the Tour passes and heads for Col de Peyrousourde, we'll descend to some winding roads in the
foothills and finish our day in a culinary shop owned by a man as
passionate about his local food history as we are about riding! Our
next hotel for two nights will put you in the lap of luxury. You'll
love it in this medieval village!
◊ Ride Level: Very Hard
◊ Ride Distance: 75 miles
◊ Climbs: Tourmalet Col d'Aspin
◊ Catch the Tour on Col d'Aspin!
Day 5
Basking in Basque Country
The excitement builds as spectators
wait for the Tour to arrive!
We won’t have to go far to see the Tour today, as it passes right
through the village where we are staying. But we know you'll want
to
explore the roads here, so we've mapped out a long, beautiful, rolling
ride in the foothills. Take it easy or go hard -- this is your final
day
on the bikes! We'll cap off our five days of riding with some of
France's finest culinary delights. Feel free to amble the narrow stone
alleys afterward for glace or other late-night discoveries.
◊ Ride Level: Medium
◊ Ride Distance: 50, 75, 100 miles options
◊ Climbs: minor, rolling foothills
Day 6
Breakfast and good-byes Transfers to airport or train station.
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Send payments to
Kim McElhinney
Dude Girl
P.O. Box 2695
Truckee, CA 96160
Cancellation
Cancellations within 90 days receive no refund.
If Dude Girl is responsible for the cancellation
you will receive a full refund.
Trip
Insurance
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You are responsible for purchasing your own trip
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are covered under the policy you choose. You can
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What’s Included:
- All Breakfasts, 2 lunches and all dinners
- All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
- All accommodations
- Services of 4 guide(s), who will lead the riding, handle behind-the-scenes logistics and try to look after your every need, whether translating a menu, confirming your flight or tracking down the best shops in the area
- Support vehicles, which sweep the day’s biking route distributing refreshments, assistance, mechanical support, etc.
- Maps, GPS navigation and detailed route suggestions
- Baggage transport between lodges
- Bike box storage
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and other services
Price Does Not Include
- International flights
- Bikes (this trip assumes that you bring your own bike)
- Travel insurance (discretionary)
To reserve a place, you are required to make a
deposit of US$500 per person, payable by check,
at the time you receive confirmation from us.
All reservations are subject to our
Terms and Conditions.
Contact us with questions at 530-587-3833.
Book this trip
Terms and Conditions
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