pyractif- pro strength pyrenees coast to coast

bobhitch

Hi all,
Just booked to do this trip at the end of August , has anyone done it? If so , How hard is it and any training tips greatly appreciated.

cheers bob

mozwyn69

I did it with my mate last year. It's pretty tough with, unsuprisingly lots and lots of climbing.
The week we did it was during a heatwave with temperatures hitting over 40c somedays. We only had one day of rain and drizzle which came as a welcome relief. Day one was brutal with a few people being sick on the first climb due to the heat and a few more having to jump in the van. Most days include about 3 big climbs with the Pailheres, Port du Bales (scene of Shlecks chain slipping) and the Bagargui standing out as real steep brutes.
The order of the day was a staggered start depending on ability with a coffee stop after an hour of two and a lunch stop either at a cafe or a roadside picnic. Helen and Chris who run Pyractif did a fine job of looking after everyone and use two minibuses as support.
All in I clocked 530 miles and about 16000mts of climbing in six days. Out of 14 riders only four made the whole route me being one although the other three were in another league of fitness, I just managed to hang in there.
My mate fancies another crack at completing it so we are going back this year as well, Chris has said he would like to run it West to East this year as the final run into Biairritz was on horrendously busy roads and something of an anticlimax.