PYRENEES EXTREME Trip

Incredibly popular with our avid riders, our Extreme trip provides an exciting mix of LIVE race-viewing and challenging rides over the toughest climbs in the Pyrenees.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Witness the 2 key Pyrenees stages LIVE on the mountainside
• Climb the legendary Col du Tourmalet
• Climb the Port de Bales, scene of Andy Schleck's unfortunate chain-drop in the 2010 Tour de France
• Climb Pla d'Adet where George Hincapie scored his only stage victory in the 2005 Tour de France
  

LIVE RACE VIEWING

Watch the following Tour de France stages LIVE on the mountain-side:

Stage 16: Col de Peyresourde ...

• Col de Peyresourde: Today's stage is the queen stage of the 2012 Tour de France taking the riders 200km from Pau to Luchon over 4 major climbs (Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde). We'll be present on the final climb, the Peyresourde, to witness the action from our famous race vantage-point on the mountain-side with LIVE satellite TV coverage in English.

Stage 17: Summit Finish in Peyragudes ...

• Summit Finish in Peyragudes: Another huge stage takes the riders over the super-steep Col de Mente, then the massive Port de Bales before the final climb up to the ski station in Peyragudes. Once again, you'll have the oppportunity to witness the action from our race-vantage point only a few km from the finish line.

VIP PARIS FINISH EXTENSION

Extend your Pyrenees trip and travel with us to Paris to witness the Grand Finale from our VIP grand-stand seating on the Champs-Elysees.

Click here for full details on our Paris Finish Extension

TRIP ITINERARY

Day	Schedule	Ride Distance	Elevation Gain
Day 1 SUN Jul 15	Pick-up at Toulouse Blagnac Airport, transfer to St Lary St Lary › Lac de Cap de Long › St Lary	29 miles	4,600 ft
Day 2 MON Jul 16	St Lary › Col d'Azet Val Louron › Hourquette d'Ancizan › Col d'Aspin › Pla d'Adet › St Lary	68 miles	10,300 ft
Day 3 TUE Jul 17	St Lary › Col d'Aspin › Col du Tourmalet › Hourquette d'Ancizan › St Lary	104 miles	11,500 ft
Day 4 WED Jul 18	St Lary › Col de Peyresourde LIVE RACE VIEWING - Stage 16 Col de Peyresourde Col de Peyresourde › Col de Portillon › Vielha	48 miles	5,700 ft
Day 5 THU Jul 19	Vielha › Col de Portillon › Luchon › Col de Peyresourde › Peyragudes LIVE RACE VIEWING - Stage 17 Summit Finish in Peyragudes Peyragudes › Col de Portillon › Vielha	64 miles	8,000 ft
Day 6 FRI Jul 20	Vielha › Col de Mente › Col des Ares › Port de Bales › Luchon	81 miles	8,300 ft
Day 7 SAT Jul 21	End of our trip and final transfer to Toulouse Blagnac Airport Or continue on to Paris... Click here for full details of our Paris Extension	N/A	N/A
Total:		394 miles	48,400 ft
Daily Average:		66 miles	8,067 ft

CLIMB THESE FAMOUS COLS

In just 1 week climb many of the legendary cols in the Pyrenees! Here's the complete list of cols included in our itinerary, sorted by difficulty index:

THE TOP SUPPORT

Quite simply, we provide the best support in the industry - guaranteed!

• As VIP Official Tour Operator we have the constant support and assistance of the Tour de France organizers - this opens many otherwise closed doors...
• Staff to client ratio of 1:4
• The best staff in the industry - check out our testimonial page...
• 3 ride groups of approximately 8 riders in each group - allows us to group riders of similar ability into the same ride-group allowing for a better ride experience with less waiting
• 1 TBT experienced ride leader and 1 SAG van per ride group
• Experienced Mechanic
• Top-of-the-line rental bikes
  

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• 7 days / 6 nights fully accompanied trip
  
• All accommodations (4-star hotels)
• All breakfasts
• All but 1 dinner
  
• 3 lunches
• Pick-up at Toulouse Blagnac Airport
• Drop-off at Toulouse Blagnac Airport
• All ground transportation
• All luggage transfer
• Services of our expert guides
• Experienced mechanic
• Support vehicles
• Thomson Bike Tours maps, cue sheets and elevation profiles

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Airfare
• Travel and personal insurance
• Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities