Pyrenees Long Weekend start of July

shmooster

Hi all, I'm planning a long weekend for about 10 of us cycling in the Pyrenees around the 1st of July. Looking for recommendations of places to stay (we prefer half board and happy to cycle on our own without guides), and any route recommendations. Looking to do the Tourmalet, Hautacam, Aubisque, maybe the Aspin and Peyresourde. Hopefully we'll fly to Lourdes but might have to be Toulouse depending on days as I think there aren't too many flights to Lourdes.

Thanks.

tomisitt

How about following the route of the iconic 1910/1969 Tours? I did this a couple of years ago, and it was incredible.

Start at Bagneres-de-Luchon (Hotel Alti), climb the Peyresourde, the Aspin and the Tourmalet. Stay in Argeles Gazost (Hotel les Cimes). The next day climb the Soulor and the Aubisque, descend into Pau, catch the train from Pau to Montrejeau, ride the 20 miles back to Bagneres-de-Luchon.

Two days riding, 120 miles, 16,000ft of climbing in the wheel-tracks of Lapize and Merckx. Very beautiful and (for me) very emotional. Absolutely loved it.

Some photos here: http://isitt.org.uk/6.html

Route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7285652

bernithebiker

Bagneres de Luchon is a good place to base yourself.

andcp

Having stayed there, I can recommend Velo Peloton: https://pyreneescyclinglodge.com but they might struggle to get 10 of you in; not far from Lourdes, great riding in the area. I think Paddy is on this forum somewhere.

marcusjb

tomisitt wrote:

Route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7285652

That looks a cracking route and takes in some classics.

There is so much good riding around there, love it. Riding some of the classic climbs is very emotional - all the times you've watched racing on the TV, the names on the roads, the statues, plaques etc.

Fabulous!

shmooster

Thanks all, I'll drop Paddy a mail. I'll also see if there's a way we can incorporate that route, I like the idea of a train journey during a ride, feels like more of an adventure somehow.

ror3h

Argeles-Gazost is a great spot for pretty much all of those climbs. Only 10 miles from Lourdes too so easy to get to. Alternatively you could stay in Saint-Lary-Soulan, lots of amazing climbs on the doorstep.

durhamwasp

We stayed at Argeles-Gazost, perfect base for Aubisque, Soulor, Hautacam and then Tourmalet and Luz Ardiden just up the road in Luz St Sauveur. Argeles had everything we wanted, altho Luz did seem to have a few more restaurants and bars so I'd say it may be a better base.

We flew into Biaritz with Ryanair, then hired a car to drive across to Argeles. We hired a static caravan on a campsite, cheap as chips and had the use of the campsite swimming pool for post-ride. Nice new accommodation and own kitchen, fridge, TV etc. There were so many options along these lines in both Argeles and Luz.

Theres a write-up on our website and also loads of photos. https://snookcycling.wordpress.com/pyrenees/

phil485

We did 4 days in Saint Lary Soulan last year. My first pyrenees trip. Did most of the climbs you mentioned plus an absolute stinker up to some lakes which were stunning. Billed as a rest day it most certainly wasnt!
Flew with BA to toulouse and hired a couple of cars and a van which followed us around carrying kit and anyone who had had enough.

shmooster

I tried Velo Peloton but fully booked already, so looking at the Hotel Primerose instead, had some friends stayed there previously and they recommended it. Expect we'll fly to Toulouse with Easyjet from Gatwick (not a Ryanair or Stansted fan) and get transfers. Found a useful guide to climbs online http://en.argeles-gazost.com/media/parc ... 122015.pdf

xacasar

Try to get in touch with them http://www.bikebasque.co.uk/
Nice guys, they can certainly help you out.

shmooster

xacasar wrote:

Try to get in touch with them http://www.bikebasque.co.uk/
Nice guys, they can certainly help you out.

Thanks but all sorted with Primerose now.