France - Classic Cols of the Tour de France (8 days) - **Not at TDF time**
Saddle up, pull on your polka dot jersey, enjoy the views and ride some of the famous mountain passes of the Tour de France
Every year France holds its breath as the multi-coloured peleton winds its way into the Pyrenees, producing some of the most dramatic and memorable moments of the Tour. But the cols are not just the preserve of the professional racers such as Armstrong and Merckx. All the mountains can be ridden by anyone who is fit and wants to experience the buzz of cresting a pass, having climbed through some of Europe's most beautiful scenery.
This challenging itinerary takes in eight of the most famous cols, including the Aspin, Portet d'Aspet and Peyresourde, and if that's not enough there are opportunities to take on a few more. What goes up must come down and the exhilarating descents are a great reward. The support vehicle will urge you along, or give you a lift, and as you conquer each mountain the sense of achievement just gets better and better. Our crowning moment is the ascent of the Col de Tourmalet, at 2115m the most formidable road pass in the Pyrenees and a fitting end to our quest to become King (or Queen) of the Mountains.
Itinerary:
- Day 1 -Start Ax-Les-Thermes.
- Day 2 -Warm-up ride on the Col du Chioula (optional afternoon riding some of the beautiful Orlu Valley).
- Day 3 -Ride along the 'Route de Corniche' with constant views to Tarascon, to the Col de Port and follow the river to Lorp Sentaille.
- Day 4 -To the spa town of Luchon via the Col de Portet d'Aspet and the long steady climb to the Col de Mente (optional extension to Spain for Col du Portillon).
- Day 5 -Free day in Luchon; optional trip to thermal baths, or ride up to Superbagneres ski station, where Scotsman Robert Millar was a stage winner in 1989.
- Day 6 -Two beautiful 1st category cols: Col de Peyresourde and Col d'Aspin with a fast and exciting descent to the village of Ste. Marie Campan (option of visiting Azet and Adet).
- Day 7 -The unclassified Col de Tourmalet, the classic Pyrenean col that is surely etched on the memory of many tour riders; 35km descent to Argeles-Gazost. (option of cycling to Luz Ardiden or Aubisque)
- Day 8 -End Argeles-Gazost.
Operated by Exodus Travel (MYF)
Departures: Varies each year but this tour can be done at any time independently.
**No departures during the Tour de France event.
Contact us for more information, current costs and to make a booking on this tour