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The Pyrenean 50 Col Challenge
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50 Cols
1,000km of riding
23,500m of climbing
8th to 14th August 2010 |
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The Route | Pricing & Support
| Reservations
| Terms & Conditions
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The Pyrenean 50 Col Challenge involves five solid days of cycling over 50 cols, including some of the giant climbs and hidden gems of the central Pyrenees. The average daily distance is about 200km with 10 cols and climbing 4,600 metres - we have trimmed all the fat flat sections from the mountains to leave you with the exciting bits.
Staying within the high central Pyrenees, the tour completes a figure of eight, including both France and Spain where you will experience changes in landscape and culture. As a genuine challenge, we have filtered out the easy to include col names to offer a route that will challenge you both physically and mentally to leave you elated by what you have achieved.
Is it for me? The tour is by all means achievable - you must enjoy climbing and have the distance in the legs to ride cols all day long. Compare this to riding the life of a pro, the toughest stages of the TDF or riding the Etape du Tour, but 5 times over!
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| The Route |
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Velo Pyrenees to Latrape
Description: A benign start from 500 metres altitude to gradually work our way through the lower and middle tiers before finally arriving in the higher mountains of Ariege, in the eastern end of the central Pyrenees. After a brief pause to pay homage to Fabio Casartteli at his monument on the Portet d'Aspet, the serious climbing begins.
Highlights: Ares, Portet d'Aspet, Core, Agnes, Crouzette
Stage 1
181km
3,980m
11 cols
Latrape to Velo Pyrenees
Description: The stage takes us to the most southerly point of the tour, crossing into Spanish territory with its secret treasures. After warming up on a couple of lesser known climbs the route turns south after the switch back laced col de Mente. We return to France on the climb of the Portillon to the elegant spa town of Luchon.
Highlights: Mente, Artigascou, Portillon
Stage 2
195km
4,700m
12 cols
Velo Pyrenees to Argeles Gazost
Description: Suited to the grimpeurs, we climb 5,300 vertical metres, but at these altitudes there is plenty of fresh air and mountain scenery to spur you on. The final climb of the Hautacam returns a fast 1,200 metre descent to the stage finish in Argeles Gazost.
Highlights: Peyresourde, Aspin, Hautacam
Stage 3
207km
5,300
m
10 cols
Argeles Gazost to Arrens Marsous
Description: Another exciting day with 12 cols over our longest stage of 225km. We tackle several hidden gems with outstanding scenery and tranquility before finishing the day with a few real classics: the Marie Blanque, renowned for its long gradients over 10% and the Aubisque.
Highlights: Spandalles, Marie Blanque, Aubisque
Stage 4
225km
4,890
m
12 cols
Arrens Marsous to Velo Pyrenees
Description: Despite there only being five cols, today is a challenge with a succession of hard climbs including two Hors category climbs, making a memorable and fitting end to the tour. There is a long and steady warm up to ease the legs as you gently climb through a gorge leading to the foot of the legendary Tourmalet. The climb of Port de Bales provides fantastic views to the southern Spanish frontier mountains before the final 25km long descent.
Highlights: Tourmalet, Azet, Port de Bales
Stage 5
175km
4,630
m
5 cols |
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| Pricing & Support |
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For 2010 the price of this tour is €799 (£750) arriving on the 8th August to depart 14th August. The price includes:
Airport transfers to and from Toulouse to coincide with flights arriving before 2pm and departing after 9am.
6 nights accommodation in 2 / 3 star hotels and 3 epis chambre d'hotes all of which have been carefully selected for location, character and comfort.
Breakfasts and evening meals are provided at each accommodation.
Road side lunches will be provided during the middle of each stage.
Food box provided during each stage including water and light snacks. Riders are responsible for bringing their own energy drink, gels or bars. We can provide tubs of Isostar electrolyte powder for €10.
A support vehicle will be on hand during all stages which will include first aid and a mechanic with spares.
Space is available in the support vehicle if a rest or medical support is needed.
Baggage will be transferred between the accommodation in advance of your arrival.
During each evening meal, a briefing of the stage ahead will be given and will include hand outs detailing the route, profile and key information.
Professional masseur available at the end of Stage 2 for additional fee of €25.
To make a reservation for this tour, please complete the on-line booking form.
If you have any questions or require further information regarding this tour, please email lee@velopyrenees.com or telephone us on +33 (0)562396844. |
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| Terms & Conditions |
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| 1. |
Payment - A deposit of €200 (£187.50) per person is required to secure your booking. An invoice for the deposit will be sent to you via e-mail on receipt of your booking form. The deposit is due within 10 working days of the date of the invoice. A receipt and confirmation of your booking will be sent to you by e-mail when we receive your deposit. If no deposit is received within 10 working days of the date of the invoice, we will cancel the reservation. The final balance (cleared funds) is due for payment 60 days prior to the start of the tour - we will send a reminder by e-mail. If a booking is made less than 60 days before the start of the tour, the full payment must be made on booking. If the balance is not paid in time, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and apply the cancellation charges detailed below. Deposits and balances can be paid for by either: Sterling cheque, Sterling internet bank transfer, Euro cheque drawn on a French bank or international bank transfer in Euros. |
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| 2. |
Prices - Once
a booking has been confirmed, the price of your reservation
is guaranteed and will not be subject to any alterations. |
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| 3. |
Your Contract
- A binding contract between us comes into existence when
we send our receipt and confirmation. Please check the confirmation
as soon as you receive it and raise any queries immediately. |
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Cancellation by you - Cancellations
must be received in writing from the person whose name is shown on the invoice. The following cancellation rates will apply:
60 days or more before start of tour - deposit only;
29 to 59 days before start of tour - 50% of tour cost;
28 days or less - no refund.
A £25 administration charge will be deducted from any cancellation monies returned to you.
Cancellation by us - In the event that we have to cancel the tour, any deposit and balance paid will be refunded in full. We will not be liable to reimburse any incidental costs that you have incurred as a result of booking such as flights, travel insurance, visas etc. |
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We cannot be held responsible for any damage or theft to any of your belongings, including baggage and bikes, during this tour. You should be adequately insured against theft, loss or damage. |
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Any damage or
loss to our property or other guests caused by you or any
member of your party must be paid for in full immediately.
We expect all guests to have consideration for other people. |
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We accept no
liability for the death of, or personal injury to, any persons
during the tour, nor for any loss or damage resulting therefrom
unless caused by the proven negligence of ourselves. Neither
do we accept any responsibility for strikes, war, sickness,
acts of God etc. over which we have no control. Where we are proven negligent, our liability is limited to the price of the tour. |
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Each rider is responsible for obtaining appropriate insurance which covers a cycling holiday and which may also include the cost of cancellation, cost of assistance, including emergency repatriation in the event of illness. To comply with this, we require that you supply us with the name of the insurance company, policy number and details of someone you wish us to contact in an event of an emergency. UK
residents should ensure that they apply for an European Health
Insurance Card (this has replaced Form E111). You can apply
on line for the free card at the NHS EHIC website. |
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Each rider is responsible for booking their own flights to coincide with our airport pick-up service. If you fly to another airport, or arrive after our scheduled pick-up, you are responsible for getting to and from that airport to us, unless an alternative airport pick-up service has been agreed with us. |
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Any special needs, such as dietary requirements
should be clearly noted on the booking form. |
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The tour will be cancelled in the event that the minimum number of 5 participants is not reached. In such circumstances, any deposits and balances paid, will be refunded in full. |
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| 12. |
All information
published on this website is presumed to be correct; we do
however reserve the right to alter information and make minor amendments to the itinerary without notice. |
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| 13. |
These conditions and and any contract to which they apply are governed by English law with jurisdiction in the courts of England. |
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| Reservation Form |
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To make a reservation, please fill in the online form below and click
submit.
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