Discover the Pyrenees

Here is the programme for the week, including the coaching focus for each day, the major climbs and the distance/elevation you can expect to ride.

Date	Coaching Focus	Climbs	Distance & Elevation
Sun	Arrival day	-	-
Mon	Core Skills	Col du Soulor, col d'Aubisque OPTION: col des Bordères	70km / 1,900m+ or 73km / 2,250m+
Tue	Descending	Col de Couraduque, col des Bordères OPTION: Hautacam	52km / 1,500m+ or 88km / 2,900m+
Wed	Climbing	Col du Tourmalet OPTION: Luz Ardiden	65km / 1,900m+ or 92km / 3,150m+
Thu	Pacing	Hourquette d'Ancizan, col d'Aspin OPTION: Col du Tourmalet (East)	53km / 1,600m+ or 100km / 3,060m+
Fri	Endurance	Col de Spandelles, col du Soulor OPTION: Col du Soulor (from the bottom)	70km / 2,100m+ or 88km / 2,400m+
Sat	Endurance	Col du Tourmalet, Hourquette d'Ancizan, col d'Aspin, Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden	165km | 5,500m+
Sun	-	Departure day	-

Sunday

You will be picked up at Toulouse (or Lourdes) airport and brought to the hotel in Pierrefitte-Nestalas.
The transfer will take approximately two hours.
There will be only one transfer, but we can organise a taxi if you arrive at a different time.
The camp begins with a welcome drink and briefing at 18:30, followed by dinner with the coaches and other riders.

 

Monday

We begin the week with the climb to the col d’Aubisque, via the col du Soulor and the stunning Cirque du Litor. The road here is cut into the flank of the mountain all the way round the bowl: just magnificent!
We will enjoy a coffee at the summit café before retracing our steps to the col du Soulor and then descending it to the north.
Soon after Ferrières we link up with the road to the col de Spandelles, an exceptional climb that will be used by the Tour de France for the first time in 2022.
The descent from the col de Spandelles brings us directly back to Arglèes-Gazost, from where it is a short ride to our hotel.

 

Tuesday

We begin with a nice easy warmup on the climb to the col des Bordères. After a short descent we cross the valley and continue to the col de Couraduque, where you can enjoy a well-earned coffee at the summit café.
We will then enjoy a longer descent on a fast road before crossing another valley and tackling the climb to Hautacam, one of the toughest summit finishes at the Tour de France. It’s a classic Pyrenean climb, with a constantly varying pitch.

 

Wednesday

Today we leave our base in Pierrifitte for a new hotel in Saint-Lary-Soulan. On the way we climb the iconic col du Tourmalet, the climb that has been the most used by the Tour de France. The longest and most alpine of the Pyrenean climbs, you will soon see why it merits its mythical status!
There’s a long descent on the other side, through the village of Sainte Marie de Campan where we turn right and head for the col d’Aspin. Tired legs may make this feel harder than it really is, but we have a wonderful new hotel to look forward to and an easier today tomorrow.

 

Thursday

After three days of hard riding we think you deserve an easier day. Once we leave the main road (after the first 9 km) there’s almost no traffic on the beautiful road up to the dam at Cap de Long.
Coming back down from the dam, we circle the Lac d’Oredon and climb another 350m to the Lac d’Aumar, from where we can see other high mountain lakes.
This is a true visual treat with all the majesty of the Pyrenees, and hardly any signs of civilisation.

 

Friday

We begin by returning to the col d’Aspin and climbing it this time from the east. A short descent brings us to the turn off for the Hourquette d’Ancizan, another picturesque climb that couldn’t be anywhere but the Pyrenees.
The descent brings us back on the valley road to Saint-Lary-Soulan. The climb to the col de Portet follows the old road to Pla d’Adet for most of the way, before branching off and becoming much wilder as it winds up the treeless slopes to a windswept summit. It was visited for the first time by the Tour de France in 2018, and then again in 2021.

 

Saturday

Today’s ride takes us to Bagnères de Luchon. We go there via the col d’Azet and the col de Peyresourde, another Tour de France regular with 51 passages, the most recent in 2021.
Our last ride of the week, this is one to enjoy. We will stop for lunch in Bagnères de Luchon, a charming and historic town which had its heyday in the early 20th century.
One final climb back over the col de Peyresourde – 13 km and nearly 900m of climbing, so don’t eat too much – and it’s back to Saint-Lary for a final gourmet dinner at our hotel.

 

Sunday

Departure day; transfer to Toulouse airport.

 

 

The Grand Hotel de France in Pierrefitte-Nestalas, on the road to the Tourmalet between Argelès-Gazost and Luz Saint Sauveur.

I had a great time with you guys. Your organisation of everything but turning the pedals was absolutely spot on. My riding improved lots! (Steve, UK)

This is a MUST experience for every cyclist. The things that stand out for me are your team’s attention to detail – 5 Star personal service (Robbie, Switzerland)

It was so clear you were prepared to do “whatever it takes” with a smile on your face to make our experience special. Felt like I was on a tour team!!! (Scott, Canada)

The experience with Alpine Cols was excellent. I have done several cycling camps, and I must say this one was close to perfection. (Stephanie, France)

Thank you for the photos and a great week.  The organisation, on road support, the hotel and all other aspects were great.  I really did enjoy myself and despite my nerves and the weather I will definitely go another alpine cycling holiday. (Diana, UK)

Thanks very much to you and Emmanuelle for hosting a delightful event.  Great hotel; superb logistics; you assembled a terrific group of people; and the two of you made it all appear effortless.  (Richard, UK)

PACKAGE PRICES

From Sun 4 Sept to Sun 11 Sept (7 nights)

• • Twin-share (superior room): €2,680
  • Single supplement (standard room): €140
  • Single supplement (superior room): €250

INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE

• • Airport transfers (to and from Toulouse, at a fixed time only)
  • Accommodation in superior 3* hotels
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • On-the-bike coaching
  • On-the-road support vehicle with free energy drinks and snacks
  • Mechanical assistance
  • Photographs taken during the week (digital copies)

NOT INCLUDED

• • Travel from your home to/from Toulouse
  • Hotels in Toulouse
  • Bicycle hire
  • Minibar or drinks at the hotel bar
  • Coffee or snacks during café stops
  • Massage (optional extra)