Alps/Pyrenees cycling holiday Jul/Aug 2009 - any ideas?

Pretre

I'm doing the Macmillan Alps Challenge in September (see signature) & I want to do some training on some big mountains - ideally I’m looking for a week based in one place as I don;t want to have to hire a car.
There seems to be a number of companies that do guided tours but I’d much prefer doing things at my own pace.
Any suggestions welcome

mrushton

Pyrenees: www.pyractif.com

Alps: www.whiteroomchalet.com or www.gpm10.com

heavymental

Go to Bourg D'Oisans for a week. Don't need to touch the car as there are loads of rides on your doorstep. And they all finish on a descent or a flat run as the town is on the valley floor. Much better than staying halfway up a mountain IME.

APIII

http://www.chez-passet.com/cycling.htm

12km from Hautacam. Tourmalet, Aspin, Luz Ardiden, Soulor and Aubisque all within easy(?) riding distance.

Pretre

Thanks very much - some of these look like exactly what I'm after

hammerite

Heavymental wrote:

Go to Bourg D'Oisans for a week. Don't need to touch the car as there are loads of rides on your doorstep. And they all finish on a descent or a flat run as the town is on the valley floor. Much better than staying halfway up a mountain IME.

+1

This is a nice little book with some suggestions for rides..... http://www.bikes-oisans.com/bike-oisans-cycling.html

TheHatter

If you want somewhere a bit more 'holiday' then I'd recomend Annecy - it has some great climbs in easy reach and you can try the TT course the tour will be using around the lake!
I spent a week there last year following recomendations on this fine site and really enjoyed it.

nickg1964

_Green Bike Pyrenees - B&B and Cycling Holidays in the Pyrenees. We are a small and friendly English/ French speaking company offering accommodation and/or self guided cycling tours for all abilities in the Pyrenees Atlantiques (Pau is the nearest town and airport). Wether you want to come to cycle for leisure and escape the rat race or prepare strenuously for your cycling or triathlon season we provide you with the accommodation and technical support while on the road, our own cycling routes and cycling workshop. The Tour de France famous cols, col de Marie Blanque, Aubisque, Soulor are down the road…waiting for you. Whatever you choose, leisure or training, the views are superb, the food and drinks excellent and very good value

paulwood

these guys are great

http://www.kingofthemountains.co.uk/ind ... em=Cycling

english couple. superb food, will collect from airport, close to AlpeDHuez

berliner

Bourg d'oisans is a pain to get to. Either fly to Geneva and go public transport and base yourself in Annecy. Loads of great climbs or fly to Pau and base yourself in somewhere like Argeles Glazost- where most climbs and loops re available. Hautacam, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque. Not so much riff raff in the Pyreness.

shawman

www.velopeloton.com
best place to stay in Europe.
Irish couple Paddy Sweeney and Olive O'Connor run this place, Paddy is a great source of info on anything to do with cycling in the Pyrenees and Olive is a fantastic chef. I stayed there for the Tour last week, brilliant. Have a read of a blog written by one of the other guests from last week. http://web.me.com/twjmath/France_2009/B ... Rouge.html

wakemalcolm

I went to Bormio and stayed here for a few days.:
http://www.genzianella.com/index_en.htm
Good food, a locked bike garage with tools and workstands, an overnight bike kit laundry facility and it's number 1 rated on trip advisor against all hotels not just the bike hotels.

Classic climbs out of every road leaving town (Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, etc, etc, etc)

mrushton

just spent a week at www.whiteroomchalet.com Enough mtns round there to test anyone. they also do a pick-up service if you arrange a meet point. Great location and food.

Pretre

Finally decided on Pyractif - flying at 6.25am (!!) tomorrow - bring on the mountains!
Only slight issue is that I have a slight cold - typical!