Pyrenees Cycling Camp

30-Jul-2018 - 05-Aug-2018

Duration: 6 Nights 7 days

Suitable for: Weekend Warriors - Ride Groups welcome

Prices from: $2995

Pyrenees Cycling Camp

The excitement of the 2018 Tour de France is over and it is time to consider where next to ride!

The Pyrenees:

Reminiscent of my first cycling tour’s in style, I have designed a product that is a Pyrenean cycling camp. PAC have formed a partnership with one of our favourite hotels in Lourdes to create a “bike hotel” option where you can ride the stages of the 2018 Tour de France and more from the comfort of a 4 star hotel with my team.

Phil Anderson Cycling introduces: Pyrenees Cycling Camp. Designed to showcase the Pyrenees from Lourdes we roll out on daily rides designed by myself to reflect the hard training routes of old. The bustle of Lourdes, the foremost destination for catholic pilgrims who visit the Grotto of Massabielle is easily escaped but our intent is to showcase the region’s rides and culture. In conjunction with our hotel we will be working to present local harvest trail options as part of each days experience.

Rides are reasonably long and hard. The style is simple. Early ride departures with team leaders, Fast, moderate or shorter and slow. Ride on your own if you like, we will provide maps and support.

A support vehicle with mechanic is on call, available to support or pick up if or when required and travels along the designated course slightly later. A service course has been created at the hotel with massages and spa treatments available on request.

Non riding partners join us for the price of a single supplement. All the elements of the package other than the riding are available. Join us in the team car anytime and meet us along the route.

Pre - Night option. Sunday 29th July. Book with Hotel Gallia Lourdes. Pre night drinks with Phil Anderson and staff for a cycling tips session on training and perhaps some discussion on the results of the 2018 Tour de France.

Your first drink is on the house

30-Jul-2018

Day 1

Grupetto Ride

Today's Ride: 87.7km Elevation gain +991

Phil Anderson has created a wonderful first ride, reminiscent of his traditional welcome ride today’s session is a little longer than usual. We start later in the day to allow time for your bike set up.

Phil also welcomes his right hand man, Rudy Rogiers to the camp. Rudy is your typical Belgian hardman who placed second in 1984 to Sean Kelly in a notoriously muddy Paris-Roubaix. You can look forward to his stoic attitude to cycling induced pain and who with Phil will regale you with tales from the Golden Age of cycling in Europe.

Today we have a 90 km loop on roads that many will not have ridden. We stay away from the high passes skirting the foothills to test our mettle on an undulating course that will enable you to settle into perhaps a ride group that suits your style and ability.

31-Jul-2018

Day 2

Includes 2 Hors Cat Climbs Hautacam, Luz Ardiden

Today's Ride: 117km, Elevation gain 3016

Today we climb two major Pyrenean climbs, both of which are regular heart breakers in the Tour de France. We escape Lourdes via the Gavarnie River valley path that is almost as famous as the many climbs that rise above you including the mighty Hautacam and Luz Ardiden, both on our ride cards today.

We tackle Luz Ardiden a 1720m Hor Cat climb first, high above the village of Luz Saint Sauveur. 14.7 km long, with average grades of 6.9% it was on this very climb that Lance Armstrong famously hooked his handlebars through a spectators handbag during the Tour de France.We descend back towards Argeles Gazost to hit the lower slopes of the Hauticam climb on the opposite side of the valley at the 75km point of today's ride.

We are planning a lunch experience along the route, before the next climb.

Hauticam is known for it's varying gradient which includes double figure pitches. Standard other, 17.3km long, elevation gains of 1170m and average gradient of 6.8%.

After sumiting, we descend, returning along the rail trail to our hotel, an optional spa session and relaxation before dinner.

The easy grupetto ride should have loosened the legs and so Emma has planned some controlled interval training with a focus on pace.

01-Aug-2018

Day 3

Strength and Endurance

Today's Ride: 212km, Elevation gain +4485

Our ride account already includes 2 Hors Cat climbs and today we back up with the longest ride of our tour.

This ride is not atypical of a Tour de France stage. Starting on classic rural French roads we roll for 85km before hitting the foot of the Port de Balès hor cat climb before descending to the base of the Peyresourde where we face a challenging gradient to one of the most frequently passed climbs of Le Tour. Enjoy the fast drop to the valley using the time to recover before the Col d'Aspin. At 1490m it is by no means the highest but it would have to be one of the most beautiful ascents. The entire climb is through alpine pasture, the views memorable.

A mammoth day of riding interspersed with prerequisite culinary and coffee stops. Feel free to contact Phil for shortcut options!

02-Aug-2018

Day 4

Col d'Aubisque

Today's Ride: 122.7km, Elevation +2590

Emma has planned a short, threshold run before we tackle a ride that is steeped in history. The Aubisque was first introduced into Tour de France folklore in 1910 and has been part of its legend since

We ride in a clockwise direction starting in Lourdes warming up on the valley rail trail before starting the climb to the 1709m summit. Long at 30km the ascent rises in 3 passes. First the Col de Borderes, second the Col du Soulor, and finally the summit of the Aubisque. On the short descent from the Soulor to the final climb there's a tunnel where, out training one day I had an encounter with a donkey. I am not sure who got the biggest fright!

Reaching the summit of the Aubisque never fades in achievement, no matter how or why you ride it. The view is magnificent and the descent to the valley below worth every ounce of energy used. A good morning hit out on the bike will allow time to linger over a regional lunch en-route to Lourdes unless you plan to join the swim group for an easy 3km's in the pool.

04-Aug-2018

Day 5

Active Recovery Ride

Today's Ride: 56.3km Elevation gain+634

Our brief was to showcase the rides, climbs and feel of the French Pyrenees from our base in Lourdes. I have nominated a short, recovery ride for today’s session, active recovery before our assault on the infamous Tourmalet tomorrow.

There are no cat climb’s by design however our roll out of town starts with a 7km uphill segment that may hurt weary legs.. Our recovery day takes us into the city of Tarbes over reasonably quiet roads to the north east of Lourdes.

60kms of rolling hills, quiet roads, quiet stops for coffee and perhaps early lunch.
We expect to have an entire afternoon of recovery time. Perhaps a wider exploration of Lourdes or quiet recovery.

Itinerary Item...coming soon

03-Aug-2018

Day 6

Col du Tourmalet

Today's Ride: 106km Elevation gain+2196

The Col du Tourmalet is the highest sealed road in the Pyrenees, 2115m and has been part of Tour de France legend since 1910. The first to climb the summit that day and eventual stage winner , Octave Lapize was forced to walk much of what was then dirt road. Afterwards he famously accused the tour organizers of being assassins.

Today we will make our own ascent of this famous climb on bikes that are possibly half the weight of the machine ridden by Octave. Departing Lourdes on the valley path we start a gradual 10km climb to the village of Luz-Saint-Saveur, before starting on the Col du Tourmalet. A 19km climb with an average gradient of 7.4%, not steep but long. As the chalets start to appear tantalizing you with refreshments, resist, the summit is near with views that are breathtaking and worth the fast time.

Our bikes, kit, support is very different from when Octave first tackled this monster climb. The Tourmalet is a magnet for cyclists around the world, on a well worn and perhaps more frequented pilgrimage from Lourdes. The Tourmalet is our finale climb, we will celebrate during the climb and afterwards on our return to our hotel with a special final meal before we depart Lourdes tomorrow.

5-Aug-2018

Day 7

No Rides today

Today's Ride:

Today is the end of services by Phil Anderson Cycling and Hotel Gallia Lourdes.

Inclusions:

7 nights accommodation in luxurious 4-star accommodation.
Daily breakfast and 2 Dinners
Access to Australia’s Tour de France legend Phil Anderson.
Local Professional staff and mechanic support
Support Vehicle
Access to experienced tourism experts and local guides
The opportunity to participate in Marmotte Granfondo Pyrenees
Ride maps, gradient charts on your daily ride and more

Exclusions:

Insurance
Visas
Meals other than those specified
Drinks other than those specified
Snacks
Bike Hire- available upon request. Contact our friendly staff at Phil Anderson Cycling for details.
Airfares- available upon request. Contact our friendly staff at Phil Anderson Cycling for details.

2018 Pyrenees Cycling Camp