Once again Velocamp will be taking bookings for this fantastic end of season triathlon in Barcelona. Based on 3 nights accommodation in the excellent 4 star Princess Hotel right next to the race course on the Northern Beaches. The package includes entry, transfers, 3 nights accommodation based on 2 sharing, bike hire for the event, and a guide to ensure a seamless and enjoyable race. Needless to say this weekend marks a great way to celebrate the end of the race season.

Options include Supersprint, Sprint and Olympic distances offering opportunities for all abilities.

£525.00 Book now…

For the big Pyrenean Etape we now have a hotel close to the start in Pau, so more sleep for our riders and 4 places left so be quick!!

These are small group trips offering excellent value so be quick and book your place on one of these iconic weekends!

For 2012 we have a 3 day VIP programme for this great annual sportive based on 3 nights half-board accommodation in Les Bergers, Alpe D’Huez in a 3 star hotel with a wonderful terrace, overlooking the valley, and a guaranteed top 400 starting place in a quickly sold out field of 7000 riders!. Transfers will be on the Thursday evening from Lyon, with registration on the Friday and the sportive on Saturday. We also organise a traditional celebratory dinner at a good restaurant after the event. Return transfers will be on the Sunday afternoon, after lunch, to Lyon. Group sizes will be kept small to accommodate everyone.

Velocamps will provide a private food stop 4km from the Galibier summit,to help you avoid the usual scrum for gels, bananas and fruitcake, coke, cold water, massage and bidon swaps.

This is currently the best available package for those looking for a decent time in this event, with top support.

Price:

• £675 ( standard entry).- - Sold out! Sorry.
• £725 ( including VIP entry),

Book now…

Day 1 Ride 155km, 2 Cols
(a third Col can be ridden adding 20 km)

After breakfast we set off following the 2007 L’Etape du Tour route. We start out of Foix at a steady pace before reaching the first climb of the day, The Col de Port, a long but easy climb with no really steep parts. The Col de Port is 11.4 km long and rises to 1249 m at an average of 5.3 %.

The next 40 km is through beautiful undulating scenery and takes us to the second climb of the day, the Col D’Agnes, from Aulus les Bains the Col is 10.2 km long and rises to 1570m at a gradient of 8.1 %.

You will have ridden about 80 km so far and we will stop for refreshments. All along the route Velocamp will provide more drinks as and when you require them.

The next 60 km is a fast pass decent with a flat finish into the spa town of Ax–les-Thermes, where we will stop for the night and a well deserved dinner.

(There will be the choice to take on the Plateau de Beille, the famous Tour de France Climb, for those with extra in the legs. This adds 20 km to the ride)

Your bags will have been sent on ahead to the hotel.

Day 2 Ride 124km Port de Pailheres

The following morning we are straight into the biggest climb of the 2 days, the Port de Pailheres, featured in this years Tour de France. At 2001 m and 6.9 % it climbs 1281 m over 18.6km. It is a monster HC climb. From the top you can see almost everything!

The fast and dangerous descent lasts for ever and goes all the way to the village of Axat through some of the most stunning scenery in the Pyrenees. From here it is an undulating ride to the sleepy town of Quillian. The climb out of Quillian is cat 3 and is 6 km long. When you reach the top remember to take in the views before a superfast road takes you to Puivert. The next 45 km  takes in some stunning scenery in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

We arrive back in Foix where you will be able to shower and get ready for your return trip to Toulouse and your flights departing to the UK from 9 pm onwards.

Course price £425 Book Now…

A stunning 3 day tour through the French and Spanish Pyrenees, routing over several ‘Tour’ climbs and incorporating a great descent to the Mediterranean through two beautiful Catalan National Parks.

Schedule:

We meet you off the 19.35 BA Heathrow – Toulouse flight on the Thursday night for a quick transfer to our hotel in the medieval town of Foix and a good nights sleep.

Stage one: Foix – Puigcerda (135km)

The opening day is also the toughest, crossing two ‘Tour’ climbs in the morning, the ‘Col De Chiolu’ and the mighty ‘ Col De Pailheres’, followed by a fantastic descent into ‘Cathar Country’ on the northern side. We then snake right at 85kms back in to The Pyrenees, progressing through the ski resort of Font Romeo, staying high, before descending to our Spa hotel in Puigcerda, just over the Spanish frontier, for a well deserved rest.

Stage Two: Puigcerda – Pantano De Sau (110km)

A much easier day involving an initial 25km roll-out using small Catalan mountain roads, folllowed by effectively an 80km descent through the amazing national park scenery of the Pyrenees Occidental.

We spin through multiple old towns and villages on our descent before stopping for the night at a glorious ‘Parador’ hotel, overlooking a great mountain lake.

Stage Three: Pantano – Mediterranean. (90km)

The final day starts with another gentle 25km roll-out through the beautiful Parc Naturel Del Montgeny, where we enter our final climb, a 10km grind to a 1125m summit. We then have a massive 55km descent through the Parc Naturel De Montnorge Corredor, finishing at a fantastic spa on the beach by the Med, for a swim and late lunch. check their website: www.hotel-colon.net/web/ct/index.php

The final transfer leaves at 18.00 for the 20.40 evening B.A. Barcelona: London flight

£ 745.00 Book Now…

Price includes: All transfers, accommodation (half board twins), sports nutrition, mechanical support, luggage forwarding, meals including lunch and guiding.
Excludes: Flights, alcohol, hotel extras, spa treatments, Thursday evening meal.

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 12^th 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 12^th 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…

Saturday July 14th, 2012.

Hurrah!..we are back in our favourite place for an Etape, The Pyrenees, and it is a monster!!…….200kms and 5 famous climbs!, starting again in Pau, as in 2008 and 2010.

Register now for your place at on http://www.letapedutour.com/ ……so put this in your diary and remember to enter your best sportive time on the form and  get seeded, as this is key to getting a good start!. This is going to be an epic day of climbing. Once again we will be running our packages from Thursday evening, collecting riders from the Gatwick-Toulouse flight , returning to Toulouse on the Sunday afternoon.

Our hotel will be in central Pau, close to the start which is the big advantage of a small group, based on twin rooms with all meals provided over your stay. All mechanical, nutritional and motivational support will be provided as usual.

Book now as places are limited!

Price: £625.00 Book now…

720km in 100 hours from  Atlantic to Mediterranean, following the Franco/Spanish frontier, with over 11,000 metres of ascent!

This 2 day/3 night trip provides you the chance to ride the famous L’Ariegeoise Pyrenean sportive with our experienced guides and dedicated vehicle support from the Velocamp team cars. Normally 2 distances are on offer at around 109km and 179kms, and up to 3500m in climbing,  involving at least one Cat. 1 climb, if not 3 on the long course!. The 2011 route was absolutely spectacular taking in tunnels, ravines and cat 1 climbs. We will be staying in the dramatic spa town of Ax Les Thermes for 2 nights, with Friday for registration and Saturday for the race, flying back from Toulouse on the Sunday evening. The expected dates for this sportive are over the w/e of  June 24/25th (TBC).

Entry will be available online for 37 euros including a free event shirt!. Our full package ex-Toulouse is £475.00 including 3 nights half-board accommodation, all transfers for the w/e, a ride guide and all sport nutrition. We pick you at Toulouse arrivals at 9.30pm on Thursday and drop you off at 16.00 on the Sunday.

Book now…