JUNE 4TH TO 10TH 2023

THE PYRENEES ESCAPE 2023

A whole new destination for 2023, as we introduce the majestic French Pyrenees to our Escape lineup for the very first time. 

A land made famous by the Tour de France and one that will certainly take your breath away in more ways than one. Ride the Tour's most used climb in it's history, the Col du Tourmalet, and so many more on our journey over the Pyrenees most epic climbs.

The Pyrenees Escape is your chance to ride with Band of Climbers on a fully-supported, exclusive cycling trip where the sole aim is to ride stunning climbs day after day. Live and relax like a pro, ride at your own pace, or challenge yourself when the legs are feeling good. 

We'll climb over 16,000m (52,500ft) of elevation over 6 days of riding, and make memories to last a lifetime.

Luxury Accommodation

Our home for the Escape is the stunning cycling-specific guesthouse from Cycle Coffee Society near Ageles Gazost. Every fine detail has been carefully considered in the development of this property, from its heated swimming pool to its gym, and the stunning Rocket Espresso coffee bar to fuel our rides. Your place on the Escape is based in a shared twin room, each with an en-suite. 

The home is the perfect place to dine, relax and recover ahead of each ride. Continental breakasts are served each morning, and 3 course dinners are freshly prepared by our in-home chef each evening. 

Fully Supported

From the moment you arrive at Pau airport, you will have nothing to think about other than riding and relaxing. We'll provide everything for you, including airport transfers, daily cooked breakfasts and three course dinners in the beautiful new guesthouse from Cycle Coffee Society. 

We'll also be supported by nutrition brand OTE, who will provide all the energy drinks and bars you need. You'll have route guidance from BoC riders, and van support on most rides and we'll provide you with a new and exclusive Band of Climbers cycling kit and a lifetime discount for taking part in the Escape.

The Best of the Pyrenees

In this trip, you'll ride the very best climbs of the Pyrenees, including the Col du Tourmalet, Col d'Aubisque, Col du Soulor, Cirque de Tromouse, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam and many more.

The itinerary of the trip is as follows (although it is subject to change based on weather conditions day to day, and also any local road closures or events in the area at the time)

Day 1 : Sunday : Arrival : Arrive at Toulouse Airport before 11.30am, to meet our private transfer back to our base at Cycle Coffee Society Guesthouse. We'll build our bikes, and head out for an afternoon spin, taking us on a flat loop of the valley, before we face the climb of Hautcam, to begin the week of climbing.

We finish the day with a 3 course evening dinner, and more relaxation by the pool at CCS House.

Distance : 50km Elevation 800m

Day 2 : Monday : Three Climb Feast : Our day begins with a continental breakfast and coffee from the Rocket Espresso coffee bar at Cycle Coffee Society, before we head out for the first ride of the week. We climb right from the start from our base near Argeles Gazost.

First up, we face the Col du Soulor, before joining the Col d'Aubisque to the summit, where we'll enjoy a coffee or lunch. We descend back down the stunning Aubisque to join the Col de Spandelles as the final climb of the day. A flat spin for the final 20km of the ride will help to prepare the legs for day 3 as we return to Argeles Gazost for rest, recovery and dinner.  

Distance : 106km : Elevation 2600m

Day 3 : Tuesday : A Double Tourmalet - The Tour's most used climb, having featured 80 times in the race's history. Today's ride will see us climb both sides of the climb. After all, can you really say you've conquered the Tourmalet unless you've done both sides? A simple route to follow, we head straight from our base to the summit of the Tourmalet, before we descend the other side down to Saint Marie du Campan for coffee and lunch, before retracing our route back over the eastern side of the giant climb, and back to Argeles Gazost for dinner.

 Distance : 100km : Elevation 3000m 

Day 4 : Wednesday : The Lakes : After 2 big days, today we enjoy a more relaxed day to help us recover a little ahead of 2 more huge days on days 5 and 6. A shorter day and a later start, we ride some hidden gems today around Argeles Gazost. First up, a dead end climb up to Lac du Estaing. We then drop down and climb the Col de Borderes, before a final climb up to Lac du Tech, before dropping back down to CCS for a swim in the pool. If you're looking for a longer ride today, we can also add on the Hautacam if you're in need of more elevation.

Distance : 57km : Elevation 1400m

Day 5 : Thursday : The Queen Stage :  After our rest day we take on the biggest stage of the week. A three-climb day over the stunning Luz Ardiden first, with its incredible switchbacks and views over the Pyrenees. Next up, is the Cirque du Tromouse, which will be the highlight of the trip for many. A lunch stop here will see us through the 2nd half of the ride, as we face the Cirque du Gavarnie as the final climb of the day. 

Distance : 126km : Elevation 3200m.

Day 6 : The Sharks Tooth : Another 3000m day today on our final big ride of the week. Today's early climbs may not be the most famous ascents in the region, but that's exactly why we're including them. First up, is Cambasque, relatively gentle in parts, it's another dead climb that will see us retrace our ride back down to the 2nd climb of the day; Coraduque, before we head back to Argeles Gazost for the final climb of the week.

Distance : 107km : Elevation 3100m.

Day 7 : Departure Day : There is no ride planned on departure day, so you are free to book a flight at any time from Toulouse airport. The transfer time back to the airport will be based on the earlies flight time of all the guests.

This trip is limited to just 10 places.

We would suggest the trip is for intermediate or above level riders, or those with at least some experience of riding in the mountains and a decent level of fitness. At no point will any rider be left behind on their own, as our support vehicle and guides will be on the road with you at all times.

Of course, some riders will be faster than others, but we keep any waiting times between the first and last riders reaching the summits to a minimum. You are free to ride at your own speed. This is not a race trip. It's a chance to test your own legs at your own pace.

Every ride will include coffee or lunch stops, evenly spread to ensure we can all recover and enjoy the long days.

What is Included?

• 6 night stay in a shared twin room at Cycle Coffee Society
• Daily cooked breakfasts and three-course dinners
• In house laundry service
• Daily van supported rides and mechanical support
• Ride Guides from Band of Climbers
• All energy gels, drinks and bars from OTE Sports
• Airport transfers to and from Pau Airport in private vehicles*
• 1 x Exclusive Band of Climbers Escape Jersey and a lifetime Band of Climbers discount code

*Our transfers will take place at scheduled times in order to collect all guests at the same times. Should you require an additional or private transfer time, there may be an additional charge. All times will be communicated to you once your place on the Escape is confirmed.  

What is not included?

• Flights
• Insurance
• Spare parts or equipment
• Medical Cover
• Bike hire
• Coffee or lunch/cafe bought snacks during rides
• Drinks over dinner

Please note all guests will be required to sign an entry waiver in order to take part in a Band of Climbers Escape. The waiver will be sent to you after your place on the Escape is confirmed. 

Costs

Total cost for the Escape is £1800.00 per person. £200 non-refundable deposit is payable upon booking your place, with the balance of £1600 to be paid 12 weeks before the trip.

All prices include VAT and taxes where payable. For any questions about the trip, please email us at hello@bandofclimbers.com

Cancellations and Refunds

Please view our cancellation and refund policy including COVID-19 cancellations.

For any questions about the trip, please email us at hello@bandofclimbers.com