Cycle Hire and suggested rides - Ax les Thermes

sbbefc

Hello,

I'll be heading to the Pyrenees this July and I'm looking to be based in Ax-les-Thermes for 2/3 days.

Would anyone recommend any local cycle hire companies? I'll be looking for a road bike.

Secondly, I'd like to dip into Andorra. Is it worth it? I've heard that the road can be pretty busy.

Many thanks!

tourdriving

This is a hard area to find a road bike for hire, link http://velomondo.com/Velomondo/Our_Bikes.html 09600 Leran (ROAD-MTB) Delivery service

ugo.santalucia

I passed through Ax during my Raid Pyrenees, then we went up the col de Puymorens (basically it's the same N20 road to Andorra), which I would not recommend, as the road is very busy.

To get there, we came from the Col de Port, I seem to recall, which is nice, although again you need to go through tjhe same busy N20 to get to the base in Tarascon... it's bearable, but not pleasant

Looking at the map, there are minor roads going east, which are probably worth exploring, although the climbs will be less epic

VeloPeloton

Don't bother with Andorre, the road is terrible. The N20 between Ax and Tarascon is one of the deadliest in France. Stay clear.

From Ax you have Port de Pailhères which is fantastic. Also Ax 3 Domaines, Plateau de Beille and Col du Chioula. You can find them on this map http://velopeloton.com/climbs-cols-map/. There are lots of very quiet roads to the east and north. Perhaps too quiet, take lots of food with you as finding a shop or cafe could be difficult. To the west is much better as a base. Saint-Girons, Luchon or here in Argeles-Gazost.

ugo.santalucia

Incidentally the Raid Pyrenean official route has now been changed to replace the Puymorens with the Pailheres, which is a sensible choice, as that stretch on the N20 towards Andorra is pretty dreadful.

The Tarascon to Ax N20 is a double carriageway, I seem to recall... I didn't find it horrible, but certainly worth avoiding it if at all possible. It did remind me of the A6 from Stockport to Buxton

whoof

I've been through a couple of times West to East and came in on a road from Tarascon on the D20 to the North of N20 it goes through Appy and Axiat. From what I can remember it was quiet with some nice climbs.
As other have said avoid Andorra, unless you want to buy a VAT free fridge.

this link shows a number of rides from Ax les Thermes

https://www.bikemap.net/en/search/?q=ax ... 9559849614

This one shows the climbs in the area.

http://www.climbbybike.com/climbs_selec ... %20Thermes

sbbefc

Thanks for the feedback!

It appears that Foix would be the best bet for cycle hire.