GONDOLA GROUP
PYRENEES CHALLENGE 2008
PYRENESS 2008
WARM UP - Friday 26th September
Biarritz - Anglet - Bayonne - Biarritz - 40 km - Flat
Day one nerves and hopefully no sore heads after a great send off party the night before. We'll have a leisurely breakfast followed by bike check and number allocation to keep track when you're on the road. At 0930 French Fred will lead a gentle 40 km cycle around Biarritz, Anglet and Bayonne to get acclimatised and check mechanics. This will be the first chance for you to ride with each other and get to know each other's styles and speed before arriving back at the hotel for lunch. Stage One will start c1330
Biarritz - Anglet - Bayonne - Biarritz - 40 km - Flat
Day one nerves and hopefully no sore heads after a great send off party the night before. We'll have a leisurely breakfast followed by bike check and number allocation to keep track when you're on the road. At 0930 French Fred will lead a gentle 40 km cycle around Biarritz, Anglet and Bayonne to get acclimatised and check mechanics. This will be the first chance for you to ride with each other and get to know each other's styles and speed before arriving back at the hotel for lunch. Stage One will start c1330
STAGE 1 - Friday 26th September
Biarritz to St Jean Pied de Port - 87 kms - 458 metres
Day One, Friday, is a nice ride in Pays Basque, the back country. Not really difficult, short and brief climbs. Most of stage one will be in pairs on normal town roads with traffic. Leaving Biarritz we will ride through villages Guethary and Ahetze before reaching Ascain - pretty village by a river where we start to climb to the first Col, St Ignace (3.5 km, 169 m, 4.3%) and then Col De Pinodieta (3.5 km 176 m, 1.6%). The road gets narrower towards Itxassou (famous for dark cherries) where we follow a wide river through the pretty village of Laxia with traditional Basque white and red buildings. The road is winding and bendy so difficult to gather speed until we hit the main road again which takes you straight through to St Jean Pied de Port circa 6 pm. Literal translation is St John at the foot of the mountain pass and is only 10 km from the Spanish border. It is the old capital of the traditional Basque province of Nafarroa Beherea (Basse-Navarre) and sits on the river Nive with narrow cobbled streets, roman bridge and ancient balconied town houses. This will probably be the easiest of the stages.
Biarritz to St Jean Pied de Port - 87 kms - 458 metres
Day One, Friday, is a nice ride in Pays Basque, the back country. Not really difficult, short and brief climbs. Most of stage one will be in pairs on normal town roads with traffic. Leaving Biarritz we will ride through villages Guethary and Ahetze before reaching Ascain - pretty village by a river where we start to climb to the first Col, St Ignace (3.5 km, 169 m, 4.3%) and then Col De Pinodieta (3.5 km 176 m, 1.6%). The road gets narrower towards Itxassou (famous for dark cherries) where we follow a wide river through the pretty village of Laxia with traditional Basque white and red buildings. The road is winding and bendy so difficult to gather speed until we hit the main road again which takes you straight through to St Jean Pied de Port circa 6 pm. Literal translation is St John at the foot of the mountain pass and is only 10 km from the Spanish border. It is the old capital of the traditional Basque province of Nafarroa Beherea (Basse-Navarre) and sits on the river Nive with narrow cobbled streets, roman bridge and ancient balconied town houses. This will probably be the easiest of the stages.
STAGE 2 - Saturday 27th September
St Jean Pied de Port to Gurmencon - 110 km - 1343 metres
Day Two will be the first big step up and a serious one. Gentle at the start and then suddenly the elevation bites your legs! First is Col D'Hatza (7 km, 782 m, 7.2%) and then Col de Burdincurutcheta (6 km, 1135m 5.9%) - very nice, very Pyrenees! This Col is in 2 parts - climb for 5 kms, rest on a 1 km stretch then a final assault for 5 kms. We also hit Col de Bagargui (7 km 1327m, 4.7%). The route is scenic and varied, the road winds through trees and woods. We will pass through villages Larrau and Arrette before stopping at Gurmencon.
St Jean Pied de Port to Gurmencon - 110 km - 1343 metres
Day Two will be the first big step up and a serious one. Gentle at the start and then suddenly the elevation bites your legs! First is Col D'Hatza (7 km, 782 m, 7.2%) and then Col de Burdincurutcheta (6 km, 1135m 5.9%) - very nice, very Pyrenees! This Col is in 2 parts - climb for 5 kms, rest on a 1 km stretch then a final assault for 5 kms. We also hit Col de Bagargui (7 km 1327m, 4.7%). The route is scenic and varied, the road winds through trees and woods. We will pass through villages Larrau and Arrette before stopping at Gurmencon.
STAGE 3 - Sunday 28th September
Gurmencon to Luz St Sauveur - 134 km - 3324 metres
Day Three. Today we hit the Col d'Aubisque. Together withTourmalet, the Aubisque is one of the great legendary climbs of the Tour de France. Starting from Laruns, the Col d'Aubisque is 4 km. Over this distance, we will climb to 1709 metres, 9%. The Col d'Aubisque 'queen of the Pyrenees' sits atop the main passage over the high buttress dividing the old frontier province of Bearn from the Bigorre region and two river gorges (Ossau and Pau). Road surface is variable and east of Aubisque the road becomes dramatic, threading through tunnels and winding over bleak heather studded moorland with cattle and sheep. A few cols today: Col de Marie Blanque (10 km, 1035 m, 7.2%), and Col du Soulor (10 km, 1474 m) home to the largest cross country ski network in the Pyrenees. Finally, Col de Spandelles (10 km, 1378 m, 5.8%) before riding through to Luz St Sauveur, a spa village straggling the Gavarnie and Bastan rivers with medieval architecture and a 12th century church.
Gurmencon to Luz St Sauveur - 134 km - 3324 metres
Day Three. Today we hit the Col d'Aubisque. Together withTourmalet, the Aubisque is one of the great legendary climbs of the Tour de France. Starting from Laruns, the Col d'Aubisque is 4 km. Over this distance, we will climb to 1709 metres, 9%. The Col d'Aubisque 'queen of the Pyrenees' sits atop the main passage over the high buttress dividing the old frontier province of Bearn from the Bigorre region and two river gorges (Ossau and Pau). Road surface is variable and east of Aubisque the road becomes dramatic, threading through tunnels and winding over bleak heather studded moorland with cattle and sheep. A few cols today: Col de Marie Blanque (10 km, 1035 m, 7.2%), and Col du Soulor (10 km, 1474 m) home to the largest cross country ski network in the Pyrenees. Finally, Col de Spandelles (10 km, 1378 m, 5.8%) before riding through to Luz St Sauveur, a spa village straggling the Gavarnie and Bastan rivers with medieval architecture and a 12th century church.
STAGE 4 - Monday 29th September
Luz St Sauveur to Bagneres de Luchon - 121 kms 4093 metres
Day Four sees the start of the serious climbing. This is Tourmalet day. The climb is immediate. Over this distance, the climb is up to 2115m, 11 km, an average of 7.9% with a maximum of 10.2% near the summit. Each kilometre is marked by a sign showing the distance to the summit and the average gradient of the next kilometres. It will probably take over 2 hours to reach the top. The last 2 kms are really tough - this will get your adrenalin pumping. And then, Col d'Aspin, 1489 m and 13 km. The average percentage is an easy 5.1% and you'll need to dodge the half tame horses and cow traffic jams before dropping into Valee d'aure at Arreau. And finally Col Peyrsourdre, 5 km, 1569 m, 11.4%! This stage is one of hardest of the Tours. There will be bruises, blisters, a few sore backsides and you'll want to die, don't get off the bike and lose your rhythm. We end at Bagneres du Luchon where Rivers Ore and Pique join and where you can find sumptuous villas. Good luck everybody!
Luz St Sauveur to Bagneres de Luchon - 121 kms 4093 metres
Day Four sees the start of the serious climbing. This is Tourmalet day. The climb is immediate. Over this distance, the climb is up to 2115m, 11 km, an average of 7.9% with a maximum of 10.2% near the summit. Each kilometre is marked by a sign showing the distance to the summit and the average gradient of the next kilometres. It will probably take over 2 hours to reach the top. The last 2 kms are really tough - this will get your adrenalin pumping. And then, Col d'Aspin, 1489 m and 13 km. The average percentage is an easy 5.1% and you'll need to dodge the half tame horses and cow traffic jams before dropping into Valee d'aure at Arreau. And finally Col Peyrsourdre, 5 km, 1569 m, 11.4%! This stage is one of hardest of the Tours. There will be bruises, blisters, a few sore backsides and you'll want to die, don't get off the bike and lose your rhythm. We end at Bagneres du Luchon where Rivers Ore and Pique join and where you can find sumptuous villas. Good luck everybody!
STAGE 5 - Tuesday 30th September
Bagneres de Luchon to Oust - 114 kms - 3460 metres
Day Five. Half way through. We leave Bagneres for a little passage in Spain (Bossost and Les Fos, both quite low altitude and the petrol's cheaper!). Col de Portillon is first, 9.5 km, 1320 m, 7.3%. A great climb in a huge forest and a very clean road descent. We travel through St Beat on the river Garonne used to guard the valley route into France from Spain, a 14th century castle looks over a terrace to the town. Then Col de Mente, 1349 metres, 9 km, 8.8%. Your legs are burning, your lungs are about to explode and you're still sore from the previous day. Col Portet D'Aspet is next - D'Aspet is 4.5 km at 1069 m, 9.7%. This is a hard stage. Through the pretty village of St Lary and one more Col de La Core, 9 km, 1395 m, 7.0% - the descent is on a narrow road and the tarmac's not so great. We ride through Seix, a county town of the lower Salat Valley with old galleried houses by the river and a vine draped 15th century castle. Finally a flat ride to reach the Hotel in Oust and a good dinner table.
Bagneres de Luchon to Oust - 114 kms - 3460 metres
Day Five. Half way through. We leave Bagneres for a little passage in Spain (Bossost and Les Fos, both quite low altitude and the petrol's cheaper!). Col de Portillon is first, 9.5 km, 1320 m, 7.3%. A great climb in a huge forest and a very clean road descent. We travel through St Beat on the river Garonne used to guard the valley route into France from Spain, a 14th century castle looks over a terrace to the town. Then Col de Mente, 1349 metres, 9 km, 8.8%. Your legs are burning, your lungs are about to explode and you're still sore from the previous day. Col Portet D'Aspet is next - D'Aspet is 4.5 km at 1069 m, 9.7%. This is a hard stage. Through the pretty village of St Lary and one more Col de La Core, 9 km, 1395 m, 7.0% - the descent is on a narrow road and the tarmac's not so great. We ride through Seix, a county town of the lower Salat Valley with old galleried houses by the river and a vine draped 15th century castle. Finally a flat ride to reach the Hotel in Oust and a good dinner table.
STAGE 6 - Wednesday 1st October
Oust to Ax Les Thermes - 123 kms - 3100 metres
Day Six, you'll be questioning your sanity! This is the longest stage of the challenge with a lot of little climbs. It starts to feel difficult to manage everything - metal state, legs, food, sleep! We start early in Oust and upstream from Seix passing tranquil hamlets to Pont de la Taule. Col de Latrape is first (5 km, 1111 m, 8.5%). Through remote village Aulus les Bains, one of the most stunning locations in the Pyrenees. Dense forest and dramatic peaks steep on either side of the road. Once famous for bear trainers Aulus is now sleepy. Then we hit Col D'Agnes (11 km, 1570 m, 7.4%) through Vicdessos one of the southernmost outposts of civilisation in the Vicdessos valley and then onto the cave area of Tarascon where at Niaux you can see prehistoric caves and famous black outlines of horses and bison produced c10,800 BC. Through Lordat guarded by an 11th century castle. Another two cols, Marmare (1361 m, 11 km, 4.4%) and Col de Chioula (2 km, 1431 m, 3.5%). We finish exhausted at Ax Les Thermes, a confluence of the Ariege, Orriege and Lauze rivers, dating back to Roman times. Four thermes still exist, some 70 degrees hot. The Ariege river at Ax will give us a good leg shock after a quick jump in the freezing cold delicious cool water!
Oust to Ax Les Thermes - 123 kms - 3100 metres
Day Six, you'll be questioning your sanity! This is the longest stage of the challenge with a lot of little climbs. It starts to feel difficult to manage everything - metal state, legs, food, sleep! We start early in Oust and upstream from Seix passing tranquil hamlets to Pont de la Taule. Col de Latrape is first (5 km, 1111 m, 8.5%). Through remote village Aulus les Bains, one of the most stunning locations in the Pyrenees. Dense forest and dramatic peaks steep on either side of the road. Once famous for bear trainers Aulus is now sleepy. Then we hit Col D'Agnes (11 km, 1570 m, 7.4%) through Vicdessos one of the southernmost outposts of civilisation in the Vicdessos valley and then onto the cave area of Tarascon where at Niaux you can see prehistoric caves and famous black outlines of horses and bison produced c10,800 BC. Through Lordat guarded by an 11th century castle. Another two cols, Marmare (1361 m, 11 km, 4.4%) and Col de Chioula (2 km, 1431 m, 3.5%). We finish exhausted at Ax Les Thermes, a confluence of the Ariege, Orriege and Lauze rivers, dating back to Roman times. Four thermes still exist, some 70 degrees hot. The Ariege river at Ax will give us a good leg shock after a quick jump in the freezing cold delicious cool water!
STAGE 7 - Thursday 2nd October
Ax Les Thermes to Prades - 90 kms - 3027 metres
Day Seven. An early start today ready for the longest climb of our great challenge - c20 kms to reach Port De Phailheres at 2001 m. Then Col de Moulis (2 km, 1099 m, 8.5%) and Col de Garavel (4 km, 1256 m, 3.9%) back to back they equate to 6 km of hill. After a good ride in the back country and fir forests we reach Col de Jau (10 km, 1506 metres, 5.1%. Riding on through the medieval town of Mosset built by the King of Majorca as a fortress. The Aiguette river accompanies the road. This is different scenery and you can tell that we've changed areas - the vegetation is different, it starts to smell different (us too!). A beautiful descent through the Castellane Valley down to Prades with its distinct pink and marble masonry and pavements, the valley's largest town where we'll stop for our final night on the road and daresay a few beers.
Ax Les Thermes to Prades - 90 kms - 3027 metres
Day Seven. An early start today ready for the longest climb of our great challenge - c20 kms to reach Port De Phailheres at 2001 m. Then Col de Moulis (2 km, 1099 m, 8.5%) and Col de Garavel (4 km, 1256 m, 3.9%) back to back they equate to 6 km of hill. After a good ride in the back country and fir forests we reach Col de Jau (10 km, 1506 metres, 5.1%. Riding on through the medieval town of Mosset built by the King of Majorca as a fortress. The Aiguette river accompanies the road. This is different scenery and you can tell that we've changed areas - the vegetation is different, it starts to smell different (us too!). A beautiful descent through the Castellane Valley down to Prades with its distinct pink and marble masonry and pavements, the valley's largest town where we'll stop for our final night on the road and daresay a few beers.
STAGE 8 - Friday 3rd October
Prades to Banyuls Sur Mer - 120 kms - 1310 metres
Day Eight. The final countdown is ticking! Our last day. We can almost relax. We start early with one nice climb to Col de Palomeres (5 km, 1036 metres, 3.1%) and if we are lucky enough we will see the sea on the top of this big Col. Watch out for the salamanders on this very narrow road, the tarmac is OK. Small Col de Xatard (8 km, 752 m), Col de Fourtou (2 km, 646 m) and Col de Llauro (4 km, 380 m) takes us little by little down to the sea in Banyuls. Through the cherry orchards of Ceret and the 9th century chapel of Saint Martin Fenollar and then through Boulou - the champagne cork capital of France where vast groves of cork oaks were planted.
Our final stop - the beach in Banyuls Sur Mer where the Eastern Pyrenees meets the Mediterranean for a team picture, a swim, and then ride up to the hotel for champagne and a massage for the aching legs before the party begins!
Prades to Banyuls Sur Mer - 120 kms - 1310 metres
Day Eight. The final countdown is ticking! Our last day. We can almost relax. We start early with one nice climb to Col de Palomeres (5 km, 1036 metres, 3.1%) and if we are lucky enough we will see the sea on the top of this big Col. Watch out for the salamanders on this very narrow road, the tarmac is OK. Small Col de Xatard (8 km, 752 m), Col de Fourtou (2 km, 646 m) and Col de Llauro (4 km, 380 m) takes us little by little down to the sea in Banyuls. Through the cherry orchards of Ceret and the 9th century chapel of Saint Martin Fenollar and then through Boulou - the champagne cork capital of France where vast groves of cork oaks were planted.
Our final stop - the beach in Banyuls Sur Mer where the Eastern Pyrenees meets the Mediterranean for a team picture, a swim, and then ride up to the hotel for champagne and a massage for the aching legs before the party begins!
Biarritz - Banyuls
This will be a fantastic achievement and an amazing sense of satisfaction!
We will have great camaraderie and plenty of aches and pain but it will be worth it.
This will be a fantastic achievement and an amazing sense of satisfaction!
We will have great camaraderie and plenty of aches and pain but it will be worth it.
