| Great
cycling tour |
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Live The Tour of France 2009
in the Pyrenees.
On our journey to the Pyrenees,
we first visit one of the most
beautiful and untouched regions
areas of Spain. When the small
rural villages in the area of
Castilla started to unite, they
formed a region and this become
the origin of the Spain that
we know today. Throughout this
region are many enchanting medieval
towns that conserve the traditional
architecture of the middle ages.
As we reach the northern border,
we will enter into the heart
of the Spanish Pyrenees, riding
along the most spectacular and
scenic routes, crossing into
France to view two of the most
mountainous and important stages
of the Tour de France. On day
7, we reach Col d'aubisque,
a 17km climb, a n elevation
of 1200 metres.
On this tour we have selected
small, charming hotels that
reflect the ambience of the
area, mixed with more modern
hotels in the mountains that
have a spa, so you can relax
at the end of a challenging
day.
Along the route you always have
van access which allows us to
adapt the number of kilometres
ridden by each person. A normal
day includes a van transfer
in the morning, to start cycling
at approximately 12pm, arriving
at the hotel in the afternoon
around 5pm. When we are in the
Pyrenees the days will be a
little longer as we take more
time to see the various stages
of the Tour de France.
Throughout the tour you will
be accompanied by our fully
equip van, should you wish to
take a break from cycling. Our
experienced guides will ensure
our road bikes are adjusted
to your preferences (or you
may choose to bring your own
bike). Our experienced guides
will be on hand to assist you
from the moment you arrive in
Spain, they have a great knowledge
of the country, the roads and
the routes to ensure you have
nothing to worry about other
than the pleasure of cycling…
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Itinerary
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Day
1 Madrid
Your tour guide will meet
you at the airport when
you arrive into Madrid and
transfer you to your hotel.
We will prepare your bicycles
for the following day and
have a welcome drink as
we introduce you to the
tour itinerary. |
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Day
2 Sepulveda.
70
kms, 1 pass elevation 700
mts
We will meet you at your
hotel in the morning and
take a 50km van ride north
to Morcuera. Todays riding
will pass by the countryside
of Guadarrama, through the
medieval villages of the
province of Segovia, finishing
in the charming Romanesque
town of Sepulveda, set on
the edge of a natural reserve.
For those who wish to continue,
you will have the option
to ride a further 20km through
the ‘Parque del Duratón’. |
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Day
3 Covarrubias (BURGOS)
60
kms, elevation 300 mts
Today we will transfer to
the 12th century Monasterio
de La Vid, set along the
banks of the Duero River,
where we will start today’s
riding. Travelling north,
we will reach the ‘beautiful
and noble’ village
of Peñaranda de Duero
to see the spectacular views
over the rooftops from the
Castle, which sits high
above the town. We continue
to Silos and visit the Monastery,
arriving in the medieval
town of Covarrubias in the
afternoon. Option to ride
a further 20km through Desfiladeros
del Ebro. |
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Day
4 San Millán de la
Cogolla (LOGROÑO)
80
kms elevation 100 mts
Van transfer of 40km passing
by the Valley of Najerilla
to arrive in the famous
wine growing region of La
Rioja. This is a beautiful
58km descent stopping in
San Millan to visit the
Monastery, considered to
be the birth place of the
regional dialects; Castellano
and Euskera. For those who
are eager to start riding,
there is the possibility
to cycle from the hotel
in Covarrubias, adding 62km
to the planned route.
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Day
5 Boltaña (HUESCA)
70
kms 500 mts elevation
Today we reach the Heart
of the Pyrenees after a
290km van transfer. Once
you’ve had time to
stretch your legs, the riding
begins along one of the
most incredible roads in
this area. This winding
road, almost hidden by the
surrounding rocks, will
take you through the Ordesa
National Park and by the
Añisclo River. |
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Day
6 Boltaña (HUESCA)
60 kms. 700 mts.
We travel a further 60km
north to the French border
and complete a long descent
towards the town of Arreau,
which lies at the point
of the two rivers; Aure
and Louron. The following
climb takes us to Col d'Aspin
to see stage 9 of the Tour
de France. Afterwards, we’ll
have a leisurely ride through
Saint Lary Soulan, a mountain
village nestled in along
the Spanish border and finally
return by van to our hotel.
Etape
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Day
7 Formigal (HUESCA)
80 kms. Col d'aubisque elevation
1500 mts
Van transfer this morning
of 80km to Col del Portalet,
on the French border to
start our 30km descent towards
Laruns to reach Col d'Aubisque
(17 kms, 1200 mts elevation).
We descend further to Argeles
and pass the first climbs
of Hautacam to reach the
Tour de France cyclists
and see the final part of
stage 10. At the conclusion
of this stage, we return
by bike to Col de Soulor
and when the group decides,
transfer 50km to our hotel
located along the Spanish
border.
Etape
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Day
8 Abalos La Rioja
70 kms. Opción de
90 kms. Elevation 300 mts.
300km transfer south to
La Rioja where we ride amongst
the vineyards along small
country roads, visiting
the traditional wineries
of the area, while at the
same time seeing examples
of the most modern architecture
in Spain that is changing
the dynamics of this once
very modest ‘rural’
landscape. |
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Day
9 Madrid
Today we start our journey
back to the Spanish capital,
Madrid (360km). You have
the afternoon to explore
this ancient city. |
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Day
10 Departure
The tour ends and we say
goodbye as we drop you off
at the airport. |
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| PRICE
(EURO):
1750
€ in hotels 4*-3*
Single
suppl.: 245 €
DAYS/NIGHTS:
10
days / 9 nights
LEVEL:
Medium-advanced.
DATES:
July: 8-17
INCLUIDED:
-
Accomodation with buffet
breakfast.
- All transfers.
- Snacks and drinks in
the van.
- Maps and guidance.
-
Bike Spain jersey [Image]
NOT
INCLUDED:
Dinners and lunches.
OPTIONS:
-
Extra nights: Ask for
price.
SUPPORTED TOUR
MINIMUM GROUP 6 PERSONS
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- The tour of France 2009
in the Pyrenees.
– Great routes
by lovely small well asphalted
and winding roads.
- The wineries and towns
of Rioja.
- Some long descents.
One of 50 KMs
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