Rudy Pyrenees Tour 2022
Information for those who are interested and considering joining the custom tour in the Pyrenees. The proposal below is a "rough draft" of the agenda and courses/rides. The apporoximate dates are July 28 (first day of riding) to Aug 6 (last day of riding).
The trip will begin and end in the town of Biarritz on the Southwest Atlantic coast of France - Basque country. We will make our way to east to the valley of Gaves by the city of Lourdes.
The approximate total miles of riding for the trip are 491 miles, with 62,000 feet climbing over 9 different rides. 5 of the rides transition us from hotel to hotel, and 4 rides are "out and back" from the hotels. Each ride will be different. The "out and back/loop" rides have the option of "extensions" for those who want to ride more on those days, and that can 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
