2010: 100th Anniversary of the Tourmalet in Le Tour.
2010: The Etape du Tour honours the Tourmalet.
2010: a NEW training week in the Pyrenees for Cyclosportive riders.
Hello,
I am Philippe, owner of the Primerose Hotel at Argeles-Gazost, in the heart of the Pyrenees.
2010 is a special year for us here in the Pyrenees and a special year for you too! The Pyrenees will be the highlight of this year’s Tour de France. The Etape du Tour will finish at the summit of the Tourmalet and Le Tour will even cross it twice.
To celebrate this special year we have decided to inaugurate a training week designed to develop your skills in riding the high Cols.
Argeles-Gazost is perfectly situated for a base for a training week with so many famous Cols all around : Col du Tourmalet, Col du Soulor, Col d’Aubisque, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden, Pont d’Espagne, Col des Bordères, Col de Couraduque, Col de Spandelles, Col des Tentes, Cirque de Troumouse, Col d’Aspin …
We will explore this exceptional area during the week, progressively increasing the level of the rides, but adapted to your level. You will be advised on how best to manage your efforts during the rides; you will be taught certain climbing techniques, given tips on nutrition, recovery post-ride and on bike maintenance.
Here is the proposed schedule for the week:
Monday: Borderes / Couraduque : a gentle ride ,mostly in the lower valleys, enabling us to assess the level of riding ability in the group. +/- 70km
Tuesday: Spandelles, Aubisque, (if the weather permits) Soulor. A harder ride with three serious climbs. +/- 100km
Wednesday: Tourmalet, (if weather permits), Luz Ardiden. Your first chance to test yourself on the Giant! +/- 80km
Thursday: Hautacam, Spandelles. Ride one of the hardest climbs in the Pyrenees (Hautacam), just outside Argeles. A great training climb. +/- 90km
Friday: Hourquette d’Ancizan, Aspin, Tourmalet par La Mongie.
A fitting climax to the week with the best climbs and scenery the Pyrenees has to offer. +/- 160km
NB. The roads over the Aubisque and Tourmalet should normally be open for these rides at the time of year proposed for the training week; however, we cannot guarantee that there will be no late snow. If this is the case, alternative rides will be designed that will NOT disappoint you!
The group will be limited to 10 cyclists maximum and will be led by Phil Deeker. Of English origin, living in the Belgian Ardennes, he has created the ‘Ultimate Sportive’: “The Rapha Cent Cols Challenge”, a ten-day challenge taking in 100 Cols with an average of 200km per day. He also works regularly for different companies taking guests to watch the Tour de France and also climb some of the epic roads they see the Pro’s tackle. He has much experience in riding cyclo-sportives and enjoys sharing his experiences with other passionate cyclists.
For rides over a certain distance a vehicle will accompany the group ensuring general safety, mechanical back-up and food replenishment.
You will stay in the Primerose Hotel which has welcomed cyclists from all over the world for the last 10 years and which works with several agencies specialised in cycling holidays.
The dates proposed are:
Arrive: Sunday 30th May 2010, approx. 18.00hrs
Depart: Saturday 5th June 2010, after breakfast.
The price is fixed at 545€ per person, either in a twin room or a large triple room.
(Rooms have shower or bath + WC + TV satellite + Telephone + Alarm + Safe + A/C, if required + free Wi-Fi)
Supplement for a single room: 16€ pp/p night
This price includes:
6 nights half-board, including a sports breakfast, 5 picnic baskets for lunches, pasta dish before dinner, dinner, a welcome drink the first night and a farewell drink on the last night, guiding & training with Phil Deeker, a support vehicle on the longer rides and the ‘taxe de sejour’.
Our large garage for bikes (locked at night and under camera surveillance) and our private parking are at your disposal.
If you are interested or have friends who you think might be, please contact me at this e-mail address: primerose@wanadoo.fr
Hoping to hear from you…
Have a very Cyclo-Sporting Year 2010!
Yours truly, Philippe
