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Tours > Tour de France > Challenging Cycling > Pyrenees VIP Challenging Cycling

Pyrenees VIP Cycling Tour - Challenging Riding


Tour Dates: July 9-16, 2011; sold out

The Pyrenees is the first major mountain stop in 2011 after some important climbs in the Massif Central. In 2011 we are breaking tour de france tour at lunchup our cycling offers to include more people - all kinds of cycling fans! Those who ride seriously, those who ride a lot but for fun, and those who love the sport but don't ride much! This Challenging Cycling offer is for those who ride a lot and want to cover the big mountains at the Tour de France. We will of course enjoy some luxurious lodging, gastronomic dining, fantastic sites, and the unique French countryside and culture! We include privileged VIP Access to the race on several days during this trip and with our professional guides, you will have other unique and professional experiences that only our French guides can deliver! More details will come to round out the itinerary and details below. Please send questions and plan to book early; these are small groups in 2011, meant for a select few and they won't last very long. book now for 2011.

Special VIP Stages included in THIS TOUR: - read what these special event days are about:
D-Day - Luz Ardiden, July 14 Bastille Day - ride across the finish line and go on the podium!
Village Attendance - Issoire, July 10 - hang out with former pros, media, and tour officials and team prior to the stage
Attend Finish in Izoard bus - Lavaur, July 13 - at the finish in an exclusive area complete with snacks, champagne, and the best view.


Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 Options

Day 1-July 9: Arrival Day in Clermont Ferrand, the largest city in the Massif Central region with both air and train access from Paris. Dinner included tonight along with an arrival orientation and time to build up bikes. Recommended arrival before 3pm. Transfer to our very comfortable 3 star hotel near to Clermont and have dinner included tonight. You will meet your guides of course and they will go through the program ahead in detail. Dinner will allow you to get to know the rest of your cycling buddies for this amazing Tour experience to follow. (D)

July 10: VIP DAY - go directly to Issoire by vehicle and enter in the VIP area known as the Village de l'Etape. To read more about this VIP service and others, see the link above. We will meet personalities as possible and enjoy the ambiance before the pro stage sets off to St Flour. We will have a lunch after the Village and then incorporate a ride after the depart of the race. The ride will be to get our legs and determine the group ability with some climbing tests on the famous Puy de Dome! We intend to get 3-4 hours in the saddle today with an excellent picnic lunch in a scenic location. This will be low intensity ride with a few challenging climbs to get the legs ready for what follows. Back to same hotel with dinner on your own. (B,L)

July 11: Tour Rest Day. Big ride day for us, with the last 150km of the St Flour stage of yesterday which finishes in the perched village of St Flour; this is of course the same route as Etape du Tour Act II this year! Return to same hotel and dinner out on your own. We have all day to ride essentially, and so with this freedom from Tour schedules, we can spend the day in the saddle. Our guides and vans will provide the support and you can enjoy a stress free day in this incredible region that is considered one of the undiscovered gems of rural France. Nothing but authenticity and traditional ways of life. Ride through centuries old villages and enjoy the flourishing fields and panoramas. (B,L)

July 12: Transfer to Toulouse by vehicle in the morning; approximately 3.5 hours with a break along the way. Ride a loop tour in the Toulouse region this afternoon, approximately 65 km with stop along the way to watch the TDF on TV. Free time tonight to explore Toulouse, the Rose City; the museums, the beautiful walking streets; or right in front our deluxe hotel is the Place du Capitole. . (B,L)

July 13: VIP DAY - Izoard Bus Lavaur. From Toulouse we will go out to ride and continue to cover nearly 70km before coming back to change and setting off for Lavaur. At Lavaur we have an exceptional experience at the stage finish line complete with snacks, drinks, and viewing that very few get to experience! The Izoard Bus experience puts you at the finish line in a closed area except for VIP's, media, and Tour officials and of course authorized team personnel. We have preferred parking and can have the time to change into comfortable clothes to follow the action as it approaches the line. Possibility to meet with media from your country and have the best view of line which on this day will include an exciting sprint - one of the last for the sprinters before the big mountains. Back to Toulouse tonight. (B,L)




July 14: VIP Day - Luz Ardiden; Bastille Day - Vive La France! Today will be an experience you will never forget! Bastille Day in France, and your own finish on the climb to Luz Ardiden under the finish line banner and your photo on the Podium! Just to make it better, this challenging tour will include a good portion of the Tourmalet from St Marie de Campan, as time allows, and all of the climb up Luz Ardiden. Our guides will be on the course with our vehicles and on bike to help everyone across. The climb on Luz is a challenge with a 7% average grade, but sections as high as 10%. At the top, after crossing the line, you will go on the podium for photos and then some time to rest in a VIP area to await the arrival of the pro riders. The last time the tour came to Luz Ardiden, Lance Armstrong was famously taken down by a fan and then got up to win the stage. Don't miss this! Approx. 60km riding mostly climbing and descending. Night in Argeles sur Gazost. (B,L,D)

July 15: An excellent ride day for your last day on the bike will include the cols of Aubisque and Soulor where you can watch the Tour pass and then for fun we will throw in another gem of climb for those willing! We can ride directly out of the hotel and for those who need even more climbing, it is easy to add more with all the choices we have. Return to Argeles and a gastronomic dinner. (B,L,D)

July 16: Return to Toulouse where you can get a train or flight out of France. See Options if you wish to continue. (B)

Options : Etape du Tour is July 17, if you have your own entry, you can possibly go on to reach the village for chip pickup and Etape. Continue to Montpellier or the Alpes, or going on to Paris. Let us know if we can help you continue your experience at Le Tour 2011.


What's Included

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
All lodging in superior category hotels 3 and 4 star,, all breakfasts, picnic lunches, 3 dinners according to the itinerary, 2 professional cycling guides, 2 vans equipped with roof rack and fitted out for cycling tours and all transportation throughout, all VIP accesses mentioned, VIP Souvenir kit, souvenir Discover France TDF jersey, energy kit including gels, bars, and drink mix, route book for rides, and Pre-Travel documentation. We also provide Pre & Post tour travel services such as help with trains, Paris hotels, rental cars and other services.

OPTIONS:
Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. We offer Look 566 carbon road bikes; rate is 210 euros. See the links above or click on our Rental Page link to know more.

Added Nights: Contact us for quotes. We can also book Paris hotels.

Non-cycling spouse: there is no reduction for non-cycling participants as all the same services are needed for all group members. Non-riders are welcome to come along but separate activities are not provided for apart from the ride itinerary described on this page. For a more moderate cycling option and other activities, see this page.

Tour Rates

PRICE:
2825 Euros, based on double occupancy. 2 places remain.
Single supplement: contact us . Special Tour de France terms apply.

Per person sharing double occupancy Euros: 2825
Single Supplement: Euros: TBD

 

Photos & Videos

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Bike Information

Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. We offer Look 566 carbon road bikes; rate is 210 euros. See the links above or click on our Rental Page link to know more.

General Tour Info

Duration:July - 7 nights & 8 days

DATES:
July 9-16, 2011
7 nights & 8 days

Transportation: we use our own vehicles, or in a few instances we do have to hire equivalent vehicles because our fleet may be in use. All vans are 9 passenger vans and are driven by your guides. They are comfortable and affordable, air conditioned, and equipped with roof mounted bike carriers. These vans are used to transfer you during your trip but are nimble enough to provide all the necessary support on every ride, even in the highest cols of the mountains and in heavy crowds. We have privileged parking throughout the Tour but often must cross checkpoints just like any vehicle. Our vehicles are branded with our logos and will enhance your experience as a VIP client as you travel down closed roads with crowds lining the routes!

To know more about the VIP services, visit this page

HOTELS:

Note: rooms are mostly twin rooms - meaning 2 single beds. These can be pushed together to make a double. Changes to room category will be made when possible. Room categories are usually all the same, but some variations may be required for large groups.

LEVEL:
This tour is a challenging cycling tour. Participants should be strong cyclists capable of riding big mountain climbs and putting in 3-5 hours in the saddle on any ride day. Mileage/Kilometres will vary from 50-120km; saddle time is more important as climbing is slow.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE:
Clermont Ferrand for arrival and Toulouse for Departure. Trains from Toulouse to Clermont are readily available to make round trip flights best at TLS.

OTHER DETAILS:
Guides - All guides are professional licensed cycling guides. They are French, and know the routes, know the race, and are experienced at guiding groups of foreigners over the big mountains and around the melee of the Tour de France. Because they are professional, they understand the need to ride a lot and what it takes to accomplish that. Safety is foremost in their training, and you will be in the best hands during your VIP Tour experience. Nothing but the best!

Meals: buffet breakfasts are included daily. Substantial picnic lunches will also be provided on ride days. Dinners, where included, will be gastronomic in nature with multiple courses; wine is not always included.

Watching the Tour: there is no better access than that which is provided in these VIP trips. You cannot do better! If some participants wish to add a helicopter flight or other VIP service, please contact us to know what is possible.

 

Tour Map


Tour de France Pyrenees 2011

Luz Ardiden Tour de France 2011