On the Col de Portillon |
Day 1
THU July 10th › Bienvenue en France!
Our
trip starts at Toulouse airport where our staff will be there
to welcome you before the 2-hour transfer to our hotel in Bagneres de Luchon.
After lunch in the hotel we'll have our welcome meeting, build up the bikes then it's time for our first taste of the Pyrenees: a 35 mile ride around Luchon including the Cat-2 Col de Portillon.
Today's Ride Summary: 35 miles / 1,920 ft elev. gain
|
|
Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de Portillon (East) |
1,915 ft |
6.8% |
5.3 miles |
|
68 |
|
| |
Part of the climb to Superbagneres. |
Day 2
FRI July 11th › Port de Bales & Superbagneres
Today's ride features 2 of the most challenging climbs in the Pyrenees!
The Port de Bales was first climbed by the pros in 2007 and many compared it to the Tourmalet in terms of difficulty.
Our second challenge of the day features another Hors-Categorie climb. The 18.5km ascent to the ski station at Superbagneres is also one of the most spectacular with fantastic views of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees.
Today's Ride Summary: 65 miles / 8,850 ft elev. gain
|
* Shorter route available: 45 miles / 4,500 ft |
|
Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Port de Bales
|
3,890 ft |
6.3% |
11.7 miles |
|
130 |
Superbagneres |
3,840 ft |
6.3% |
11.5 miles |
|
126 |
|
| |
The Comminges region
|
Day 3
SAT July 12th › Into the Comminges...
The Comminges region lies just to the north of the Spanish border and is known for it's series of short, steep climbs. The Col de Mente is one of the toughest in the area and, in true Thomson Bike Tours style, is our main focus of the day.
Our return route will take us over the Col des Ares just one day ahead of the professional peloton!
Oh, and I forgot to mention that our route from Luchon to the Comminges will take us over the Cat-1 Col de Portillon!
Today's Ride Summary: 65 miles / 7,100 ft elev. gain
|
* Shorter route available: 55 miles / 4,500 ft |
|
Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de Portillon (West) |
2,175 ft |
6.5% |
6.3 miles |
|
95 |
Col de Mente |
2,785 ft |
9.1% |
5.8 miles |
|
119 |
Col des Ares |
1,020 ft |
4.6% |
4.2 miles |
|
35 |
|
| |
Our Blue Orbea Tents: always at prime spots! |
Day 4
SUN July 13th › COL D'ASPIN!
Our Orbea-sponsored tents have become the envy of the mountain and today they'll be situated on a prime spot close to the top of the COL D'ASPIN. Enjoy a cool drink, picnic lunch and then enjoy an exciting afternoon including LIVE Satelite TV coverage in English!
Of course to get to that prime spot you'll have to climb the Col de Peyresourde and Col d'Aspin...!!!
Today's Ride Summary: 70 miles / 8,000 ft elev. gain
|
|
Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col de Peyresourde |
3,080 ft |
6.1% |
9.5 miles |
|
96 |
Col d'Aspin |
2,555 ft |
6.5% |
7.5 miles |
|
81 |
|
| |
Hautacam: 6km from the summit |
Day 5
MON July 14th › HAUTACAM!
It's Bastille Day and HAUTACAM, one of the most celebrated climbs in the Pyrenees is back!
Our hotel is ideally situated, just 12km from the bottom of the climb to HAUTACAM. We'll have the luxury of enjoying a late-morning breakfast before the ride down the valley to Argeles-Gazost and the start of the climb.
Watch out for the famous blue & white Orbea tent that signals our picnic spot for the day. Pick a spot in front of the TV and enjoy the day!
Today's Ride Summary: 35 miles / 6,000 ft elev. gain
|
|
Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Hautacam
|
3,840 ft |
6.8% |
10.7 miles |
|
129 |
|
| |
The climb to Luz-Ardiden |
Day 6
TUE July 15th ›
What a climax....
It doesn't get much better than today's ride (nor does it get much harder!). Two of the giants of the Pyrenees lie waiting for our group of hardened cyclists: Col du Tourmalet and Luz-Ardiden!
Luz-Ardiden: made famous by Lance Armstrong's crash in 2003 when his handlebar hooked a fan's bag and
Tourmalet: the toughest climb in the Pyrenees!
Today's Ride Summary: 90 miles / 9,000 ft elev. gain
|
* Shorter route available: 55 miles / 5,500 ft |
|
Today's Major Climbs: |
|
Climb |
Elev. Gain (feet)
|
Average Grade |
Length
(miles) |
Profile
(m/km) |
Difficulty
Index |
Col du Tourmalet |
4,160 ft |
7.4% |
10.7 miles |
|
133 |
Luz-Ardiden |
3,315 ft |
6.9% |
9.1 miles |
|
111 |
|
|
Day 7
WED July 16th › Au revoir
End of our trip and final transfer to Toulouse
airport. |
| |
| |
