May 26 - June 4 2012
1,300 kilometers, three countries, six mighty river valleys, countless chateaux and vineyards, The Pyrenees, two national parks and the Med –All in one trip! With two UK bank hols in this period this can be completed with just 5 days leave, returning on Monday, June 4th, or 5th if you fancy a stay-over in Barcelona at the end.
“Le Grand Depart” Saturday, May 26th,2011.
This epic 1300km stunning route was first run by us last year and starts Saturday midday from Roehampton Gate in Richmond Park, with an easy ride through the North and South Downs to Portsmouth for the overnight St Malo ferry and a stretch, shower, meal and bed. Next morning we start across Brittany’s beautiful back roads and ride for the next 2 days until we reach the splendid Loire region of Western France. From here we snake through the famous vineyards and chateaux, again using low traffic routes into the deep heart of France. Days 5 and 6 involve crossing the mighty Vienne, Dordogne and Lot river valleys along a stunning rural route, before dropping into the warm south west regions of the Aveyron, Tarn and Garonne. We then sweep through limestone gorges and ancient villages before our first days climbing, a magnificent traverse of the Montagne Noire, just north of the medieval city of Carcassonne. Our final French day involves a gentle roll out across our final flat, before following last years TDF route up ‘Le Gorge De St George’ into the mighty Pyrenees for our biggest climb, up to the small ski station of Formegueras, near the Spanish border. Our penultimate day starts with a short climb to the Spanish border town of Puigcerdu followed by the spectacular Cat 2 climb to La Molina, and a descent through a gorgeous Catalan national park to our final and most spectacular hotel at Vic, a former royal palace , set in its own mini ‘Grand Canyon’ nature park. The final morning takes us through one final national park and one small climb before descending to the coast at Arenys where we have a final shower and lunch before a 30min transfer to Barcelona airport. Ride days will average 90 miles/day with the option to jump in a support vehicle at any stage should you need a break, and lunch stops arranged in pretty villages or scenic picnic spots enroute. Ride profiles are gently rolling/easy, until we hit the mountains in the south with 2 days of climbing. Accommodation throughout France is in 2 star profiled hotels , all comfortable and clean, with secure bike storage. Breakfast and a delicious 3 course carb loaded meal at the end of each day are included. The airport is 30 mins away with regular scheduled flights back to the UK for those who need to make work on Tuesday morning, (albeit a UK Bank Holiday). The trip has full tour style support with ride guides and vehicle support for bikes and spares out on the course each day, covering all speeds and abilities. Mechanical support, sports nutrition and plenty of advice is on hand to keep bikes and bodies in tune. For more experienced riders taking on a big sportive later this trip represents a great opportunity to burn off any early season weight, and get some quality miles in those winter legs
The Stages Stage 1 - 110km – Surrey/Hants
Starting in Richmond Park, London, and riding to the Brittany Ferry Terminal, Portsmouth, through the North and South Downs. We take an overnight Brittany ferry with cabin, evening meal and breakfast. This is a gentle first day roll-out through The Downs into Surrey and Hampshire starting at lunchtime in Richmond Park. We will be followed by our support vehicles which will meet us at the Ferry Terminal carrying warmer clothing, before loading our bikes up, boarding the overnight ferry for a shower , change and dinner, as we ease out across the channel. Accommodation is large bunks in 4 person cabins, with a small ensuite shower and loo. The ferry travels slowly overnight to allow everyone a good sleep.
Stage2 – 140km – Brittany
St Malo, Brittany, to St Quentin Les Anges , Brittany, via Combourg, and a fantastic lunch stop in the shadow of Vitre’s magnificent castle, a world heritage site. We have our breakfast at 7.30am on the Ferry and arrive in St Malo at 8am. We disembark by cycle in St Malo and meet up outside the docks with our support vehicles. We start out along a short section of main road for 6kms before veering left on to quiet D roads enroute to Vitre, our first stop of the day. We then head south again along quiet rural roads tour through Craon, to our overnight at our small hotel in St Quentin. This is an easy day on flat, quiet, good quality roads, usually with a following wind! Stage 3 – 124km- Loire Valley St Quentin to Saumer via La Poueze, Les Pont-de-ce and Gennes. This is a beautiful if easy days riding, dropping down into the Loire valley at Chalonnes, with a great riverside lunch-stop option on the south bank of the Loire. The route then follows a stunning cycle tour route along the river to our hotel, near the National Equestrian Centre at equally impressive Saumur, home of the French Cavalry and Sancere white wine. We are deep into Chateaux country at this point with historical interest abound!
Stage 4 – 185km- Loire and Vienne river valleys
Saumur to Confelons, via Richelieu, Bonneuil, Lussac-les-Chateaux, L’Isle Jourdain. The first of 3 longer stages made easier by low gradient Roman roads , beautiful riverside scenery following the Loire vineyards east and the Vienne south, with the option of early coffee in the Medieval walled town of Richelieu and an overnight on the Vienne in equally pretty Confelons. We start at 9.30am following the rivers Loire and Vienne southwest, reaching Richelieu around 11.00am, with an optional coffee stop. Lunch is served roadside to make up time at a prearranged picnic spot. The afternoon is primarily following a long Roman road over open arable farmland until we re-join the Vienne valley at lussac and sweep through a couple of pretty valleys into the Medieval town of Confolens and our hotel on the Vienne river.
Stage 5 – 180km – Haute Vienne and Dordogne
Confelons to Beaulieu via Chalus, St Yrieux and Brive. This stage shows rural France at its best, winding through pretty fields and ‘horse country’, through castellated villages and small fortified towns . The morning is fairly gentle with an outdoor an lunch in Chateau de Chalus. We then roll-out into the magnificent Dordogne region in the afternoon, riding through the beautiful town centre of Brive and our first climb of the trip, albeit only 5kms of 7.5%, and a final coffee stop at Collonges la-Rouge ( the red stone village) , one final set of sweeping switchbacks, and a final fast descent into Beaulieu Sur Dordogne. We stay in a stunning boutique hotel on a large sweeping bend on the river. The evening menu is delicious!
Stage 6 – 163km – The lot, Aveyron and Tarn
Beaulieu to Gaillac via Figeac, Villefranche De Rouergue and Cordes Sur Ciel. Rolling is the word today as we traverse three mighty river valleys as we progress into the true south west of France. We first climb out of the Dordogne into the Lot region, using small switchback roads we stop for lunch at the hilltop village of Figeac. The afternoon is spent twisting through further river valleys into the ancient Tarn region, passing under 12th century citadels to the pretty village of Laguepie and final sharp climb on to the Gaillac plain and a night in a room with a view in the 12th century tower in Cordes Sur Ciel ! ( Cordes in the sky).
Stage 7 – 123km – Black Mountain National Park
Cordes to Carcassonne, via Lautrec, Labruguiere and Mas Cabardes. We have a gentle morning roll-out g the wine capitol of Gaillac followed by a gentle descent through a series of fortified villages, to the bustling Languedoc town of Castres. We ride through Castres mid-morning, into the beautiful Montagne Noire National Park and our first category 2 climb of the trip, 12kms to Font Romeo. We summit by a large reservoir and take a picnic lunch in the forest, before a fast descent to Carcassonne, staying and dining in the shadow of its mighty castle. There is an option to fly home at this stage as there is a direct Stanstead flight for those short on holiday, with a £200 discount. Stage 8 – 132km –
Cathar Country and The Pyrenees
Carcassonne to Les Angles via Limoux, and Axat.
Our first day in the mighty Pyrenees takes us through the famous Blanquette sparkling wine area of Limoux into the Aude river gorge. We then start our first gentle climb following the river for 15kms up the spectacular Gorge de St George, past a ruined Cathar castle and alpine meadows. The climb then ramps up into a series of switch backs as we ascend our second category 2 climb to the small ski resort of Formigueras, and our traditional mountain hotel.
Stage 9 – 158km The Catalan Pyrenees
Les Angles to Vic via Puigcerdu, Ripoli and Pantano We start our second mountain day with a steady 3-5% climb to the border town of Bourg Madame where we grab a quick coffee before entering our main climb of the day to the Catalan ski resort of La Molina, a stunning climb averaging 6% gradient, offering fantastic vistas of the Pyrenees to the west. This is followed by a great descent to Ripoli for lunch. The route then twists through rustic mountain roads on good surfaces and through small hill villages as the mountain pines give way to the olive groves of the National Park and we finally reach the Spanish plains and our second Park at Vic. Our overnight hotel is sure to impress.
Stage 10- 109km- Parc Naturel Del Montgenyo.
Our final day involves an easy morning rollout through the National Park De MontGeny before entering our final climb of the trip, a 10km grind on good surfaces to a 1125m summit . We then have a massive 55km descent through the National Park De Mont Norge to the coastal plain. We finish at a top spa on the beach at Arenys Del Mar for a shower, Spa visit, late lunch, pack-up and early evening transfer to Barcelona airport, 30mins away.
Prices and Booking £1295.00p.p (sharing a twin room), or £850.00 for the first 7 stages only. The price includes outbound overnight ferry with a shared cabin with an ensuite , all enroute ride support, accommodation, two meals a day, sports nutrition and one of our summer ride shirts. Book now…
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