Pyrenees Fitness Week

The tour is 8 days long with 6 days of cycling.

The tour is for riders with experience, good fitness & a decent level of skill. Some features that may be experienced more frequently in a higher grade tour. Most days include a couple of significant climbs. Some long days & some steep to very steep sections. Not for beginners. 45-60 miles / 70-95 kms per day.

This grade 2-3 Fitness Week is designed for cyclists with a moderate level of fitness and stamina. They are ideal for riders relatively new to the sport who perhaps want to progress to another level and learn new skills and techniques.

Riding in the French Pyrenees is not without its challenges. Depending on group requirements the routes may include a number of significant cols and a fair amount of climbing, with steep and challenging sections. Road surfaces are generally good, however caution should be exercised, especially when descending, as occasional potholes and gravel patches do occur. Descents are as frequent and as long as the ascents and many feature tight bends and switchbacks.

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own there are bikes available to hire. These bikes are typically Giant TCR or equivalent, great bikes with good quality components. If you do decide to hire the tour operator can include a helmet and all necessary spares for the trip. Please request helmets when booking. If you ride with clip-in pedals please do bring your own pedals along with you.

If you are traveling with your bike:
The vast majority of airlines will charge you to transport your bike. This amount varies from carrier to carrier but the tour operator recommend always booking and paying for this in advance which will usually save you money compared to paying at the airport. Please contact your airline for specific details. Most airlines will also require your bike to be properly packaged for transport. Most commonly this will be in a bike bag or box specifically designed for the job.

Equipment
The tour operator provides everything except a bike (unless you have opted to hire), personal equipment and clothing. If you are taking your own bike it should preferably be a road bike. To get the most out of your week they recommend that your bike is equipped with a computer which measures cadence and heart rate.

For this trip, they recommend that your bike is fitted with a compact chainset or a minimum of 28 tooth bottom sprocket to ease the climbing. It is imperative that your bike is in good mechanical order. If you are not mechanically minded, they advise you to take your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service. The guide(s) will, of course, be taking a full tool kit and a selection of spares, which they will provide should the need arise but please be sure to carry your own basic tool kit, pump, spare tubes, and any specific spare parts you may require for your bike – especially unusual spokes.

You will need to bring your own accessories including, helmet, gloves and hydration pack/bottles for drinking water. It is also a good idea to bring shoes suitable for walking along with your cycling shoes as well as a light but waterproof rain jacket and a fleece / warmer layer for mornings and evenings.

While riding on this tour it is compulsory that you wear a helmet. If you don’t have a helmet or don’t intend to bring your own we may, subject to availability, be able to provide one on request. You will not be permitted to ride unless you wear a helmet.

All of your breakfasts and evening dinners are included in the price of this trip. Breakfasts will generally be continental, consisting of porridge, eggs, breads, cold meats and cheeses, jams, yoghurts etc. All meals will be freshly-prepared from local produce and will cater for the nutritional needs of your fitness training. Fruit and snacks will be available en-route and a plentiful supply of water! Lunch is usually taken in a cafe en-route.

Vegetarians and people with specific dietary requirements can be catered for – please indicate at the time of booking whether you have any dietary requirements.

Generally there will be no support vehicle needed for this trip, however, a vehicle is only a phone call away in case of emergency. On the days you ride up into the high mountains a support vehicle with come along too.

Temperatures in the Pyrenees can range widely between 10-30°C/68-86°F. This region receives a small amount of precipitation, which usually falls outside the timing of the trips.

Whilst the tour operator expects the weather to be mainly pleasant during the scheduled dates please bear in mind that you will be climbing high into the mountains where temperatures can drop considerably. Long descents can be chilly even on warm days, so be sure to bring warm layers including a fleece, windproof/waterproof jacket, hat and lightweight long-fingered gloves.