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Cycling, Wine and Cultural Tours in the Dordogne, Pyrenees and Southwest of France.

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Conquer the Pyrenees

Chateau de Pitray
Chateau de Pitray

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    • Trip cost:  2800 Euros.
    Dates:  Aug 27 to Sept 11.
    • Cols of the Pyrenees Ride:
    • Puerto Otxondo - 602 m
    • Puerto de Artesiaga - 996 m
    • Collado de Urkiaga - 890 m
    • Col d’Iraty - 1135 m
    • Col Bagargui - 1327 m
    • Col de Suscousse - 1216 m
    • Col de Soudet - 1540 m
    • Col de Marie Blanque - 1035 m
    • Col d’Aubisque - 1709 m
    • Col de Soulor - 1474 m
    • Col du Tourmalet - 2115 m
    • Col d’Aspin - 1489 m
    • Col d’Azet - 1737 m
    • Col de Peyresourde - 1569 m
    • Col du Portillon - 1320 m
    • Col de Mente - 1349 m
    • Col Portet d’Aspet -1069 m
    • Col de Catchaudegue - 893 m
    • Col Latrape - 1520 m
    • Col d’Agnes - 1570 m
    • Port de Liers - 1517 m
    • Pas de Souloumbrie - 911 m
    • Col de Mamare - 1361 m
    • Col de Chioula - 1431 m
    • Port de Pailheres - 2001 m
    • Col de Palomere - 1036 m
    Col d'Aubisque Pyrenees France From Inside Tours

    Ride Across the French Pyrenees - Coast to Coast - and Back !

    1000 miles, 94000 ft climbing, 12 days riding + 2 rest days.

    August 27th to September 11th - Yearly.   (Only 2 spots remain 2012)

    Daily Biking Statistics for the  France  From  Inside  Pyrenees Cycling Tour - Coast to Coast - and back

    Please note that these numbers are not 100% accurate because they are averages between several different bike computers.  However, they should give you an idea of what you can expect.  Furthermore, the ride times listed do not account for stoppage, i.e. taking in vista view at the col summits...etc..


    Stats for the Counter Clockwise loop, which was the route for the 1st 4 years of the trip (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010). In 2011 the loop/course was changed to a Clockwise direction.
    Day
    		 Stage start/finish
    Daily # of Mtn. passes
    Mileage
    Elevation gained
    Ride time
    1.
    		 Biarritz - St. Jean Pied de Port
    3
    81 mi.
    6900 ft.
    		 n/a
    2.
    		 St. Jean Pied de Port- Oloron
    4
    75 mi.
    9581 ft.
    		 5 hr 20 min
    3.
    		 Oloron - Argeles Gazost
    3
    57 mi.
    7962 ft.
    		 4 hr 30 min
    4.
    		 Argeles - St. Lary Soulon
    2
    59 mi.
    8232 ft.
    		 5 hr 20 min
    5.
    		 1st Rest Day - St. Lary Soulon, in what is called the "High Pyrenees," or in the "French Hautes Pyrenees."
    6.
    		 St. Larry - St. Girons
    5
    90 mi.
    12221 ft.
    		 7 hr 22 min
    7.
    		 St. Girons - Tarascon
    4
    62 mi.
    7400 ft.
    		 n/a
    8.
    		 Tarascon - Font Romeu
    4
    74 mi.
    11145 ft.
    		 6 hr 32 min
    9.
    		 Font Romeu - Collioure
    1 long + rolling hills
    98 mi.
    5090 ft.
    		 n/a
    10.
    		 2nd Rest Day - Collioure, a beautiful old port town on the Mediterranean coast near the Spanish border.
    11.
    		 Collioure - Castlenaudary Rolling hills
    125 mi.
    7830 ft.
    		 n/a
    12.
    		 Castlenaudary - Auch Rolling hills
    104 mi.
    6646 ft.
    		 7 hr 46 min
    13.
    		 Auch - Oloron Rolling hills + foothills
    104 mi.
    7174 ft.
    		 6 hr 30 min
    14.
    		 Oloron - Biarritz foothills
    85 mi.
    5313 ft.
    		 n/a
    		 
    Totals:
    1011 mi.
    94,886 ft.
    		  

    Cycle and bike across Pyrenees mountains France From Inside

    Rose at the top of the Col d'Aubisque.

    " Without a doubt, this was the cycling trip of a lifetime.  The route took us over some of the most challenging and spectacular terrain I've ever encountered.  Being an avid cyclist, to have ridden climbs such as the Tourmalet, Aubisque, Marie-Blanque, Peyresourde, and Pailheres is an accomplishment I will brag about for years to come.  Allan’s van support gave us everything we needed on the road, including (at no extra charge) his witty and sardonic remarks and observations that kept us motivated and smiling.  Allan's support, along with the camaraderie (and humor) of my fellow riders, was an integral part of the enjoyment and pleasure of this very demanding yet rewarding journey.  I will forever cherish the memory of this trip and the exceptional group of people with whom I shared it.  Rose Hewig (completed the trip in 2009)

    Ride across the Pyrenees Mountains