THE PYRENEES FROM COAST TO COAST:
THE TRANSPYRENEAN

Dates: June 26th to July 5th 2009. 

Price: 1.190 €. (Single room supplement: 290 €)

What cyclist has never daydreamed about going on a fantastic trip by bike? If we pick up a map of Europe, our attention will soon be drawn to the Pyrenees, whose name will bring us memories of some of cycling's greatest moments from more than 100 years of history of the Tour de France. And the idea of crossing this majestic mountain range from sea to sea via its legendary climbs will have occurred to more than one.

With the TRANSPYRENEAN any cyclist can make this dream come true, since we will provide all the organization, transport, accommodation and support necessary. Thus, the cyclist only has to think about enjoying each stage with the only worry of hauling himself up the awesome climbs themselves.


This trip consists of one day’s travel by bus from Hendaye to the Mediterranean, plus seven fantastic days cycling back on the most famous roads in the French Pyrenees following the D-618 and the D-918 from Argelès-sur-Mer to St. Jean-de-Luz (including a rest day in Luchon).

Programme:

Friday: Arrival in Hendaye, where, if there's time, we'll go for a short ride before dinner. Accommodation in the hotel Ibaia (3 stars), from where we'll depart the following morning and finish the last stage. If we arrive by car we have the option of leaving it there the whole week.

Saturday: A bus with a trailer for our bikes will take us all the way to Argelès-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean coast. We’ll have lunch on the way in the “Area of the Pyrenees” next to the monument to the Tour de France, and on arrival we’ll check into our 2-star hotel before having dinner together.

Sunday: Breakfast and the start of the first stage to Prades. During this stage we’ll face the climb of Xatar. We’ll have lunch along the way and we’ll stop twice to regroup. On arrival we’ll check in to our 2-star hotel, where we’ll have dinner. Today's km: 97 km. 1.300 m of climbs.

Monday: After breakfast we’ll set out on the second stage, during which we’ll climb the Col del Calvario de Font Romeu and the Col de Puymorens. When we reach Tarascon sur Ariege we’ll check in to the hotel (2 stars) and go out for dinner. Today's km: 137 km. 2.600 m of climbs.

Tuesday: From Tarascon we’ll follow the D-618 until the Col de Port. Then we’ll face, one after the other, the climbs to Portet d'Aspet and Col des Ares. As every day, there’ll be a lunch break and two stops to regroup. When we get to Bagneres de Luchon we’ll have dinner in the hotel (3 stars). Today's km: 140 km. 2.400 m of climbs.

Wednesday: Rest day in Luchon. We'll have the oportunity to climb other cols, like Port de Bales or Superbagneres, or to go sightseeing.

Thursday: This stage is the big one. Today we’ll climb Peyresourde, Aspin and the legendary Tourmalet before the descent into Luz-Saint-Sauveur, where we’ll have dinner in the hotel (3 stars). Today's km: 94 km. 3.150 m of climbs.


Friday: The last big climb, Aubisque, which we’ll attack via Soulor. Then a rapid descent and flatter roads until Montory. Dinner in the hotel (3 stars). Today's km: 120 km. 2.175 m of climbs.

Saturday: The last stage. Today we’ll arrive at the coast. From Montory, we’ll climb the Col d’Osquich, pass through St. Jean Pied de Port and carry on through the French Basque Country to St. Juan de Luz. Finally we’ll stop in Hendaye to celebrate the end of the trip with a beer a two before checking in to the last hotel in Hendaye (3 stars). Then our last meal together. Today's km: 130 km. 1.300 m of climbs.

Sunday: Breakfast and return home.

 

2009 advance reservations are open: If you are interested in any of our trips, book your spot now, then confirm or cancel when the final trip details are announced later. Go to online reservation form.

MORE: If you want to read more about this trip, link to go to our Director's blog (in spanish), who did this trip alone in august 2006.