This your of the classic Cols of the Pyrenees is a bespoke holiday and dates can be arranged to suit. As you may have guessed from the title, this week is a incredible challenge riding some of the toughest Tour de France climbs of the Pyrenees!
This week comprises three historic stages of the Tour de France in the Pyrenees. The rides will be done on the Sunday, Tuesday and the Friday on the weeks below. On the other days, you’re free to relax or ride any other Cols you may want to try while you’re here with us.
Our day off is the Wednesday, but you can take our advice on finding some local hidden secrets that the Tour has never touched.
On our first day of our tour of the classic Cols of the Pyrenees, we take on the notorious slopes of the Col du Tourmalet, which have put the world's greatest cyclists to the ultimate test. This is was a tough stage 17 ridden by the amateur Etapists in 2010, 2 days before the Tour and stage winner Andy Schleck finished in 5 hours 3 minutes on the 22nd July 2010. Now, we're not expecting a time like that, but you're free to give it a go! On this ride you'll follow in the tracks of the great riders by crossing the Col du Marie-Blanque, Col d’Aubisque and a grand finish on the Tourmalet.
A 2001 tour stage played out over some of the toughest climbs of the Pyrenees. Lance nearly lost the Tour here in 2003 when a spectator's bag caught his handlebars! Lance never won this stage 14 on the 22nd July 2001, but this climb enabled him increase his lead over his rivals and give him a massive winning margin of over 5 minutes in Paris. Roberto Laiseka won the stage in 4 hours 24 minutes. 21km Haut-De-La-Côte 34.50km Côte De Mauvezin 37.00km Côte De Capvern-Les-Bains 80.00km Col d’Aspin 109.50kms Col Du Tourmalet 144.50km Luz-Ardiden
We go all the way back to stage 9 on the 10th July 1989 for this one, when Greg Lemond won the Tour from Laurent Fignon (RIP). A gripping last day on the Champs-Élysées, one of the best Tours in history, it went all the way down to the wire on the final time trial: after 3 weeks and 3,279 km of racing, Greg clawed back a 50 second deficit in the final individual time trial to win by only 8 seconds on the final day of the Tour! For Greg LeMond, the victory was sweet. After his life threatening hunting accident, LeMond’s return to full form generated great emotion. The Tour de France had just witnessed the greatest race in its legendary history. This particular Stage to Cambasque was won by Miguel Indurain, who we all came to know over the next few years when he became the first person to win the Tour five consecutive times. He rode this stage over the Marie Blanque , Col d’Aubisque and won on top of Cambasque in a time of 4 hours 24 minutes.
This is a bespoke Tour, so please contact us for potential dates for your group.
Prices for a bespoke package start from £895.00 per person, including half board accommodation.
£185.00 if applicable.
