Plein Air Pyrenees An ideal base for activity holidays in the beautiful French Pyreneees

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Cycling Holidays

"Plein Air Pyrenees" is situated on the edge of the village of Lortet in the Vallee de La Neste, just 17kms from the foot of the Col D'Aspin. Other climbs within riding distance are the Col du Tourmalet, Col de Peyresourde, Portes be Bales, Col D'Azet / Val Louron, Col d'Ares, Col de Menthe and the Plat D'Adet. These are just those cols and climbs made famous by the Tour de France, but there are many more that are challenging and just as interesting for the fit and not so fit. Farther afield, we often transfer by minibus to the Col D'Aubisque / Col du Soulor, Hautecam and Luz Ardiden. Here at Plein Air Pyrenees, we cater for both the independant cyclist as well as offering special packages.

Here is our Outline Calendar of Cycling events for 2010:

Jan - Mar - Cross Country / Downhill Skiing for cycling season preparation; Training weekends (Rolling Roads and Pyrenees Foothills) 

Apr   - Training weekends / weeks (Foothills and cols where open)   

May  - Cyclosportives; Pyrenean Cols; Training weeks / weekends; Supported / Guided rides

June - Cyclosportives; Raid Pyrenees; Pyrenean Cols; Plein Air Pyrenees 'Etape'; Supported / Guided rides

July  - Cyclosportives (Including Etape du Tour); Tour de France Weekend; Pyrenean Cols

Aug  - Cyclosportives; Raid Pyrenees; Supported / Guided rides

Sept - Cyclosportives; Raid Pyrenees; Supported / Guided rides

Please click on the links below for specific details and prices of our 2010 packages:

Tour de France Week

Etape Weekend

Etape Recce Weekends

Pyrenees Raid ( 7 Day Coast to Coast Tour)

Cyclosportives

Plein Air Pyrenees 'Etape' - (Pau-Luchon)

Rest assured though, if you decide to stay independent by taking our normal B&B or Half Board options, then you will still recieve our assistance throughout your stay. This will include advice on routes, route maps, and the occassional accompanied ride.

Tour De France Week  Special - 16th-23rd July

Day 1 – Friday 17 July - Arrival at Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes or Toulouse Airport and transfer to “Plein Air Pyrenees”. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".

Day 2 – Saturday 18th July - Saturday at Leisure or gentle ride to loosen up and test bikes for the week to come. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".

Day 3 – Sunday 18th July - Unfortuinately, no minibus support today as Ian will be riding the Etape with some of the other guests. Your route for the day will be planned the previous evening, and route maps provided. Evening spent in a local restaurant. 

Day 4 - Monday 19th July - Ride from "Plein Air Pyrenees" over the Col du Peyresourde to Bagneres-de-Luchon (50kms) for the finish of stage 15. A return ride to 'Plein Air Pyrenees', or for those still suffering from the previous day's efforts, then the minibus will be on hand to take you back. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".

Day 5 - Tuesday 20th July. Ride from 'Plein Air Pyrenees' to the top of the Col D'Aspin (30kms) to see stage 16. For the more adventurous, a further 29kms will take you to the summit of the Col do Tourmalet for the decisive climb of the stage. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".

Day 6 - Wednesday 21st July - Rest day on the Tour. Big Day for the rest of us. Transfer to near Pau and tackle 3 big ones. Aubisque, Tourmalet and Aspin all from the west. Minibus available in support. Tackle all 3 or pick and chose! Evening spent at 'Plein Air Pyrenees'.

Day 7 - Thursday 22nd July - Gentle ride through the Barronies - the foothills of the Pyrenees  - then the Tourmalet to see the finish of stage 17. Evening spent in a local restaurant.

Day 8 - Friday 23rd July - Return to Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes or Toulouse Airport.

Price - 366 €uros Per Person

Included:
- Airport Transfers from / to Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes or Toulouse
- Bed Breakfast and Evening meals at Plein Air Pyrenees where appropriate
- 2 evening meals in a local Restaurant
- Transport / Support to 2 TDF stages

Not Included: - Lunches, Bar Tabs!!!

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Etape Weekend - 16th-19th July

Riding the Etape in 2010? Why not join us for a week. Although not in the Pyrenees, Ian will be entering again this year, and travelling accross to Provence for the event. Here's our outline plan for the week, although the acclimatisation rides will be confirmed upon arrival.

Day 1 – Friday 17 July - Arrival at Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes or Toulouse Airport and transfer to “Plein Air Pyrenees”. For those riding the Etape, transfer to Pau for sign-on. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".

Day 2 – Saturday 18th July - Saturday at Leisure or gentle ride to loosen up for the following day. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".

Day 3 – Sunday 18th July - Travel by our minibus with bikes to the start of the Etape at Pau. Suffer for between 5 and 10 hours over the roads stage 17 of the Tour de France. After taking your Etape 'meal', return to "Plein Air Pyrenees". Evening spent in a local restaurant. 

Day 4 - Monday 19th July - Return to Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes or Toulouse Airport.

Price - 214 €uros Per Person

Included:
- Airport Transfers.
- Transfer to Pau for sign-on and to the Start at Pau / Return from Col du Tourmalet.
- 3 Nights Half Board  at 'Plein Air Pyrenees'.
- 1 Evening meal in a local restaurant.

Why not combine the Etape weekend with our TDF week and receive a special price of 406 €uros.

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Etape Recce Weekends

Riding the Etape? Then Recce the route on one of our special weekends.

Day 1 - Arrival at Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes or Toulouse Airport and transfer to “Plein Air Pyrenees”. Build bikes and take a warm-up ride in the Barronies, the foothills of the Pyrenees. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".
Day 2 - From “Plein Air Pyrenees”, take the valley road to Arreau, then take in the climbs of the Col D’Aspin and the Horquette D’Ancizan before returning to 'Plein Air Pyrenees' - a ride of approximately 80 kilometres.
Day 3 - Transfer to Pau and Supported Ride of the Etape Route from Pau - Tourmalet. Minibus on hand for full support during the ride. Evening at “Plein Air Pyrenees”
Day 4 - Return to Pau or Toulouse Airport.

Price - 194 €uros Per Person

Included:
- Airport Transfers from / to Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes or Toulouse
- Half Board at Plein Air Pyrenees 3 nights (Weekend) 

- Packed or picnic lunch on the supported ride of the Etape route.

 

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Pyrenees Raid (7 Day Coast to Coast Tour)

- 19th-26th June

- 7th - 14th August

- 11th - 18th September

For 2010, why not try our Coast to Coast Tour of the Pyrenees. Starting in Hendaye on the Atlantic coast of France and finishing in Cerbere on the Mediterranean coast, it covers 710 kms (440 miles) and 18 cols. The ride will cover 6 days and will be challenging, but taken at a sensible pace each day, allowing us to take in some of the breathraking scenery. You will be picked up from either Toulouse or Pau airports and taken to Hendaye for the first evening.

Price - 835 €uros

Included:
- Airport Transfers from / to Pau or Toulouse
- 7 Nights Bed Breakfast and Evening meals in hotels en-route

- Fully guided plus Route maps
- Full Vehicle Support

- Luggage transfer each day
- Picnic or Restaurant Lunch each day

 

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Cyclosportives

Throughout the year, Ian will be riding numerous sportives. Whay not spend a weekend (or a week) in the Pyrenees culminating in one of the many sportives held in the area. We do not have a fixed price for these events - simply take the B&B or H/B options and expect to contribute to the transfer costs, typically between 10 and 20 Euros per person. We can handle all entries beforehand - all you need is a British Cycling Licence or a Medical Form from your doctor (dated less than 3 month to the event) stating that you are fit to undertake competitive cycling events.

Here is the calendar of Cyclosportives for 2009 - 2010 Calendar will be available soon:

  • 22 Feb - A travers les vignobles de Saint Mont -Plaisance du Gers                112 km, 74 km
  • 08 Mar - A travers les vignobles de Madiran - Château de Crouseilles        90km, 55km
  • 24 May - La Bernard Becaas -  Lasseube                                                          139 km, 90 km, 48 km
  • 30 May - La Luchonnaise - Luchon                                                       125km, 103km
  • 07 Jun - La Bearn Cycl'Espoir - Pau
  • 13 Jun - La Pyreneenne - Argeles Gazost                                                       174 km, 121 km, 102 km
  • 27 Jun - L'Ariegeoise - Tarascon                                                                           163 km, 110 km
  • 04 Jul - La Hubert Arbes - Lourdes 
  • 20 Jul - L'Etape du Tour - Montélimar                                                      172 km
  • 26 July - La Pierre Jacques en Baretous - Aramits                                             165 km, 115 km, 67 km
  • 09 Aug - La Barousse Bales - Mauleon-Barousse    
  • 23 Aug - Laurent Jalabert - Mazamet                                                                  126 km, 80 km
  • 06 Sep - La Lapebie - Luchon                                                                              160 km, 110 km, 60 km
  • 20 Sep - La Georges Gay - Toulouse                                                                   130 km, 80 km
  • 27 Sep - La Tarbaise - Tarbes                                                                         120 km, 75 km
  • 03 Oct - Fabio Casartelli - St. Girons                                                                  170 km, 80 km