___Cycling at the Fignon centre - FRANCE A LA CARTE

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CYCLING – the great passes of the Pyrenees

 

This is a 7 day/6 night cycling course/adventure for serious amateur cyclists who are fit enough to ride 90 kilometers per day over mountain roads.

 

Based in a 3* hotel and cycling centre in the Hautes Pyrénées, this programme was devised by two-time TOUR de FRANCE winner Laurent Fignon and introduces riders to the legendary passes of Tourmalet, Aubisque and Marie-Blanque among many others.

There is no set program: participants decide day by day after a debriefing session with their (professional) instructor just which passes they wish to tackle and the amount of mileage they feel up to trying. The instructor – who accompanies each ride - will present up to a hundred routes personally devised and traced by Laurent Fignon for consideration each day.

 

A typical day's format is thus:

7.30 to 9.00am - Cyclist's breakfast
8.30 et 9.30am - Departure on the day's 'High Pass' route
1pm - 2.30pm - Return to center - depending on distance
1.30- 3pm - Light refreshment
3pm – 7pm - Free time
7pm – debriefing with instructor and choice of following day's program
8pm - Dinner

 

The high point of the week is on Friday when a challenge is organized on the occasion of the 'Historic Day' – this is when participants will tackle the legendary circuit of Peyrsourde, Aspin and Tourmalet. There is a Gala evening on the Saturday with gourmet dinner in the adjoining restaurant.

Individual 'cyclists' massages can be arranged (extra) after each day's ride ... while your bike is undergoing a maintenance check in the workshop.

 

FRANCE A LA CARTE can arrange a rental car from Toulouse airport - or transfer for groups - and bike hire from a local supplier (for customers who can't bring their own.)

 

Included in the basic package:
Accommodation in twin room in 3* superior hotel
(2 trainees per room) (single supplement : 192,00 € )
5 nights half-board (Cyclists' breakfast and drinks included))
1 welcome drink
1 introductory meeting
6 group meetings and debriefings
6 'high pass' accompanied rides including the 'Historic Day'
6 bike maintenance sessions
4 light refreshments and one buffet lunch
1 lunch at a gourmet restaurant
1 gala dinner at a gourmet restaurant
Free access to the hotel's sauna and spa facilities

not included:
bicycle hire (about €35 per day)
transfer from Toulouse airport or local train-station OR
hire car

 

The hotel is a 3* establishment on the outskirts of the spa town of Bagnères-de-Bigorre in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Stylishly refurbished by designer Philippe Starck, with an excellent gourmet restaurant, it boasts spacious rooms and gym with sauna.

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view from a room _____________ riverside restaurant

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