Self Guided Pyrenees - La Mongie
Itinerary Virtual Tour Tour Map
Go where the action is in 2010! The Pyrenees are celebrating 100 years with the Tour de France and from our key location, you can ride your bike as much or as little as you want?! If you are the independent type, then this is a perfect trip for you! We have offered self guided trips for more than a 15 years throughout France and on this program we offer you access to see some key Tour de France stages and we include the use of GPS and the convenience of excellent lodging that is perfectly positioned to do everything you want!
La Mongie is a tiny town on the slopes of the Tourmalet but it is an historic spot on the Tour de France! Being close to the Tourmalet gives you a front row seat on 2 stages this year, 1 without having to leave your hotel if you don't want! You can also reach Bagneres de Luchon and Pau from here, and other rides like Luz Ardiden and the Hautacam are also possible. Below is our suggested itinerary; but you can do it in any manner you wish - it is self guided and you are in charge! THIS TOUR IS NEARLY SOLD OUT (2 SPACES) SEE THIS OPTION or another New self guided option in La Mongie we just opened for more space.
Itinerary
Click on a day to see that days itinerary.
DAY 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 7
July 17: Arrival Day Travel to La Mongie – installation – welcome meeting – bike delivery - and orientation of our program for the week. Bus service from Tarbes to Bagneres de Bigorre and La Mongie is possible. From Lourdes, buses and taxis to Bareges and La Mongie also possible. Car rentals from Toulouse, Tarbes, Pau, or Lourdes are possible. We can arrange shuttle service from Toulouse and back for interested participants. Depart Toulouse rail station at 1pm on this day. See supplement in side bar. Dinner included tonight. (D)
July 18: Etape du Tour day. Please see our Etape du Tour programs if you are interested to ride the famous cyclosportive. On this trip, we suggest a ride in the opposite direction down to the Col d'Aspin, via the Hourquette d'Ancizan, Arreau, and to Bagneres de Bigorre via the Gouffre d'Esparros, then back up to La Mongie via the famous St Marie de Campan! Dinner included. (B,D)
July 19: Tour finish at Bagneres de Luchon Start your ride like yesterday except from Arreau go toward Luchon over the Peyresourde! Return the same way. Round trip approx 130 km. Or use a rental car to cut your ride down slightly. (B,D)
July 20: Bagneres de Luchon to Pau Tour Stage: As you rode the first part of this stage yesterday, then why not do the rest of the route all the way to Pau! Unfortunately, round trip that is over 250 km. With a car rental you can do part; or a better plan is to ride to the summit of the Aubisque and await the Tour, then return back up the Tourmalet for a total of 148km! Ouch! You can take this as a rest day and watch the Tour pass in front of your hotel! (B,D)
July 21: Tour Rest Day.Here is the perfect chance to ride either Luz Ardiden or Hautacam, both require the return climb up the Tourmalet to get back to La Mongie! (B,D)
July 22: Tour Finishes on the Tourmalet It is only 3.5km to the summit of the Tourmalet from La Mongie, but it is steep riding! With an early start you could attempt to knock out either Luz Ardiden or Hautacam that you didn't do yesterday and come back up the Tourmalet before the route is closed for the race! Last night in La Mongie - celebrate! (B,D)
July 23: Departure Day.You are free to depart after breakfast. We will propose a return bus to Toulouse departing at 10:00 am; see pricing in side bar. (B)
Virtual Tour
See more of this region by clicking below for the virtual tour
Tour Map
Tours Details
Pyrenees Self Guided - La Mongie
DATES:
July 17-23, 2010
6 nights & 7 days
PRICE:
996 Euros, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement: please contact us
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
All lodging in comfortable 3 star hotel and rooms, (see below), all breakfasts, all dinners - each night according to the itinerary, souvenir Discover France TDF jersey, energy pack with drink mix, gels and bars, route book for rides and 1 GPS for 2 persons, arrival orientation at the hotel, telephone support/assistance throughout the trip to our France office. Also included are Pre-Travel documentation. We also provide Pre & Post tour travel services such as help with trains, Paris hotels, rental cars and other services.
Shuttle Service: we can arrange a bus transfer from Toulouse to La Mongie and return. Price to be determined based on participation. Estimate 80 euros/person round trip.
HOTELS:
La Mongie = Le Pourteilh***
Note: rooms are mostly with 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 in large groups.
LEVEL:
This tour is suggested as a challenging cycling tour in order to watch the TDF, however non-riders can join and do their own thing. Participants are not requierd to ride a lot, but in this location it is impossible to avoid climbing! The suggested rides that go with the itinerary description will vary from 50-140km; but saddle time is more important as climbing is slow and this can mean up to 6 hours in the saddle.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE:
Toulouse is suggested Arrival and Departure City - accessible by TGV and air from Paris. From Toulouse trains to Tarbes or Lourdes are possible and from there bus or taxi. Car rentals can be had at any of these locations. See above about Shuttle Service.
OPTIONS:
Bike rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. We offer Look 566 carbon road bikes and also new Scott CR1 carbon road bikes. See the links above or click on our Rental Page link to know more.
Added Nights: we are available to help book additional hotel nights in any other city before or after the tour. Contact us for quotes. We can also book Paris hotels.
Non-cycling spouse:a very slight reduction is possible for the jersey & energy pack. Non-riders are welcome to come along but separate activities are not provided for apart from the ride itinerary described on this page. Hiking and other activities are possible from La Mongie including a cable car lift to the Pic du Midi - highest point in the Pyrenees.. For a more moderate cycling option and other activities for couples, we recommend our Provence-Pyrenees VIP Tour.
OTHER DETAILS:
Self Guided - see our description at this link; note that we are available to help, but you are on your own for cycling each day.
Space is available
for 25 participants.
Meals: buffet breakfasts are included daily. Dinners, where included, will be hardy mountain specialties with multiple courses; wine is not always included.
Watching the Tour: you will have to position yourselves to see the race each time you go to watch the Tour but no special access is included in this offer. If some participants wish to add a helicopter flight or other VIP service, please contact us to know what is possible.
Tour de France Tours - Booking Terms
