Dux Friends Pyrenees and Alps 2023
Jeff and I have been friends for over 15 years. We met through cycling. He's attended and helped me on a number of cycling trips that I've organized in the Pyrenees. He mentioned that there may be some of you, who he cycles with, that may be interested in the trips that I offer, primarly the Pyrenees 1000 mile challenge (info click here) and the Alps 1000 mile challenge (info click here); both these trips are 12 days of riding that cover 1000 miles and 100,000 feet of elevation gain. Or that you may be interested in a custom tour that is slightly shorter and less intense.
Below is an example of a less intense trip in the Pyrenees from last summer. It was a custom tour that I organized for 9 days of riding.
The trip began and ended in the town of Biarritz on the Southwest Atlantic coast of France - Basque country. We made our way east to the valley of Gaves by the city of Lourdes and had access to the Col du Tourmalet and another 20 climb options.
The approximate total miles of riding for the trip were 491 miles, with 62,000 feet climbing over 9 different rides. 5 of the rides transitioned us from hotel to hotel, and 4 rides were "out and back" from the hotels. Each ride was different. The "out and back/loop" rides had the option of "extensions" for those who wanted to ride more on those days, and that could be easily accommodated on the day of the ride.
Ride 1 - Start coastal town of Biarritz (French Basque region - Pyrenees Atlantique), end town of Arette (French Basque region). Distance approximately 75 miles, and 6000 ft climbing, foothills. This ride goes through the foothills of the Pyrenees and will expose you to what I consider is an area that most cycling tourists never see, which is a shame because it is spectacular both for cycling and for beauty.
Ride 2 - Start town of Arette, Arette (French Basque region). This ride is a loop - out and back, as we stay 2 night in Arette. Distance approximately 40 miles, and 6000 ft climbing, the high mountain pass of the Col de la Pierre Saint Martin.
Ride 3 - Start town of Arette (French Basque region), end town of St. Savin (Haute Pyrenees region). Distance approximately 75 miles, and 6000 ft climbing, foothills and out-of-category climb the Col d'Aubisque.
Ride 4 - Out and back ride from town of St. Sauvin. We will ride up the west side of the iconic Col du Tourmalet, and descend back down the same side. Distance 42 miles and 7600 ft climbing.
Ride 5 - Out and back ride from the town of St. Sauvin. We will ride up the canyon to the town of Gavarnie (World Heritage site for the Cirque du Gavarnie), and up the challenging climb of the Col de Tenton. Distance 55 miles and 7800 ft climbing.
Ride 6 - Clockwise loop from the town of St. Sauvin. We will begin by traversing through the foothilss to then ride up the east side of the iconic Col du Tourmalet, and descend back down the west side. Distance 63 miles and 8600 ft climbing.
Ride 7 - Returning back to the Atlantic coast and the Basque country, we begin with a ride back to Arette, retracing - but in reverse - some of our footsteps from the 3rd ride. This day will include two climbs, Col d'Aubisque and the Col de Marie Blanc. Distance 62 miles and 9200 feet climbing.
Ride 8 - From the town of Arette to Saint Jean Pied de Port, up and over the challenging climb of the Col du Bagargui. Distance 50 miles, and 4600 feet climbing.
Ride 9 - The final day of riding. Starting from the town of Saint Jean Pied de Port and ending in Biarritz back on the Atlantic coast. Distance 50 miles and 4600 feet of climbing
