"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, 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 de Menthe, 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 during 2008 such as our:

Tour de France Week Special

Etape Weekend

Etape Traning Weekends / Breaks

Pyrenees Raid ( 7 Day Coast to Coast Tour)

Cyclosportives

...plus our own supported 'Etape' and other fully supported rides. Rest assured though, if you decide to stay independent by taking out notrmal 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 - 12th-19th July

Day 1 – Saturday 12th July - Arrival at Pau or Toulouse Airport and transfer to “Plein Air Pyrenees”. Evening spent at Plein Air Pyrenees.

Day 2 – Sunday 13th July- Ride the 29kms from "Plein Air Pyrenees" to the summit of the Col D'Aspin. See the riders on their last climb before the finish of stage 9 before returning to "Plein Air Pyrenees". Evening spent in a local Restaurant.

Day 3 – Monday 14th July - Travel by our minibus with bikes to St Marie de Campan, then ride the Col du Tourmalet (19kms), to see the riders tackle stage 10. For the more adventurous, ride one way or both ways via the Col D'Aspin. The minibus will be on hand to act as broomwagon. Evening spent in a local Restaurant.

Day 4 – Tuesday 15th July - Rest day for the Tour. Spend Tuesday at Leisure, or ride some of the previous days stage. Alternatavely, take the quiet lanes to the Gothic Cathedral village of St. Bertrand de Comminges followed by the climbs of the Portes de Bales and the Col de Peyresourde. Evening spent at “Plein Air Pyrenees”.

Day 5 – Wednesday 16th July - Take in the atmosphere of the Tour village, and see the start of  stage 11 at Lannemezan. Aterwards, spend the day at leisure, or take in some of the local climbs. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees", where following last years success, authentic Indian cuisine will be the theme.

Day 6 – Thurday 17th July - Accompanied ride on one of the most beautiful routes in the Pyrenees. A gentle ride up the valley before tackling the Col D'Asoin fron the east. A leisurely restaurant lunch, and then take in the sites of the climb of the Horquette D'Anzizan, with the wild ponies and donkeys roaming the meadows. Laurent Jalabert was quoted in our local newpaper as questioning the use of the Col D'aspin so often the the TDF, when the Horquette D'Ancizan is so near. Evening spent at “Plein Air Pyrenees”.

Day 7 – Friday 18th July - Spend Friday morning at Leisure, or take a steady ride in the area. Lunch provided at “Plein Air Pyrenees”. Friday afternoon spent at the Balnea spa in Loudenvielle, to ease away the aches and pains of the week. Evening spent at “Plein Air Pyrenees” – Barbecue and musical entertainment to end the week.

Day 8 – Saturday 19th July - Return to Pau or Toulouse Airport.

Price - 615 €uros

Included:
- Airport Transfers from / to Pau or Toulouse
- Bed Breakfast and Evening meals at Plein Air Pyrenees where appropriate
- 2 evening meals in local Reastaurants
- 1 Restaurant Lunch on 1 ride-out day
- Packed or Picnic Lunch on all other days
- Transport / Support to 3 TDF stages
- Transport and entry to Balnea Spa at Loudenvielle
- Live entertainment on final night

Not Included: - Bar Tabs!!!

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Etape Weekend - 4th-7th July

Day 1 – Friday 4th July - Arrival at Pau or Toulouse Airport and transfer to “Plein Air Pyrenees”. Travel / Return to Pau for Etape registration. Evening spent at "Plein Air Pyrenees".

Day 2 – Saturday 5th July - Spend at Leisure, or take a steady ride in the area.
Evening spent at “Plein Air Pyrenees”.

Day 3 – Sunday 6th July - Travel by our minibus with bikes to the start at Pau.
Suffer for between 5 and 10 hours over the cols of stage 10 of the Tour de France.
After taking your Etape meal, relax by taking a few glasses of wine or beer at Hutecam. Barbecue will be provided to top up the lost calories. Return to “Plein Air Pyrenees”.

Day 4 – Monday 7th July - Return to Pau or Toulouse Airport.

Price - 180 €uros

Included:
- Airport Transfers from / to Pau or Toulouse
- Transfer to the Start at Pau / Return from Hautecam
- Bed Breakfast and Evening meals at Plein Air Pyrenees where appropriate
- Barbecue on the summit of Hautecam after the finish

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Etape Training Weekends / Breaks

Day 1 - Arrival at Pau or Toulouse Airport and transfer to “Plein Air Pyrenees”.
Evening spent at Plein Air Pyrenees.
Day 2 - Warm up Ride. 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. A round trip of 60 kms. Evening spent at “Plein Air Pyrenees”.
Day 3 - Transfer to Pau and Supported Ride to Hautecam. Pick-up at Hautecam and return for the evening at “Plein Air Pyrenees”
Day 4 - Return to Pau or Toulouse Airport.

Price - 208 €uros

Included:
- Airport Transfers from / to Pau or Toulouse
- Half Board at Plein Air Pyrenees for 3 nights

- Transfer to Pau and Return from Hautecam

- Packed / Picnic Lunch on Saturday
- Full Support and Feed on Sunday.

Options:

- There is the option of foregoing the Warm up Ride and spreading the Etape stage over 2 days
- 2 and 4 Night options available –please contact us for details

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Pyrenees Raid (7 Day Coast to Coast Tour)

- 21st-28th June

- 9th - 16th August (Full)

- 13th - 20th September

For 2008, 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 - 815 €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 a list of the Cyclosportives that were held in the area during 2007. The 2008 calendar of events will be published shortly - keep watching!

• 20 May - La Bernard Becaas - Pau
• 26 May - La Luchonnaise - Luchon
• 03 Jun - La Bearn Cycl'Espoir - Pau
• 16 Jun - La Pyreneene - Bagneres de Bigorre
• 23 Jun - La Hubert Arbes - Lourdes
• 30 Jun - L'Ariegeoise - Tarascon
• 16 Jul - L'Etape du Tour - Foix
• 22 Jul - Laurent Jalabert - Mazamet
• 28 Jul - La Pierre Jacques en Baretous - Aramits
• 12 Aug - La Barousse Bales - Mauleon-Barousse
• 19 Aug - Fabio Casartelli - St. Girons
• 02 Sep - La Lapebie - Luchon
• 16 Sep - La Georges Gay - Toulouse
• 30 Sep - La Tarbaise - Tarbes

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