The Pyrenees Escape - June 2024
The Pyrenees Escape - June 2024
Couldn't load pickup availability
1 Late Space Available
ESCAPE DATES : JUNE 2ND TO 8TH 2024
After the success of the 2023 Pyrenees Escape, we're back for 2024, with incredible routes that blew us all away last year. If quiet roads, big climbs and stunning scenery is your thing, the Pyrenees Escape is for you.
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 its history, the Col du Tourmalet, and so many more on our journey over the Pyrenee's 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 14,000m (50,000ft) of elevation over 6 days of riding, and make memories to last a lifetime.
Fully Supported
From the moment you arrive at Toulouse 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 at our 4* hotel in Argels Gazost.
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 Escapes cycling jersey too.
Luxury Accommodation
Our base for the Pyrenees Escape is the luxurious 4* Hotel Miramont in Argels-Gazost. With the finest dining in the region, the Miramont offers the perfect space for relaxing and recovering ahead of 6 big days of riding. Your place on the Pyrenees Escape includes all breakfasts and three-course fine dining each evening. Secure bike storage keeps your bike safe, and the location is perfect, allowing us to ride so many incredible ascents from the hotel door.
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 : Arrival
Arrive at Toulouse Airport before 11.00am, to meet our private transfer back to Argeles Gazost. 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 Hautacam, to begin the week of climbing.
Distance : 50km Elevation 800m
Day 2 : Three Climb Feast
Our day begins with a continental breakfast and coffee, 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 : 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 : The Lakes Rest Day
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 our hotel for the evening. 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 : 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. There is also an option to add on the stunning Col du Tentes to finish the day, making this a 4000m day and a ride you'll remember forever.
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 end 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. Flights should be booked after 09.30am to allow you to transfer back to Toulouse Airport in our private shuttle.
This trip is limited to just 12 places.
What is Included?
- 6 night stay in a shared twin room at a 4* Hotel in Argeles Gazost (Single Rooms are available with a £250 supplement)
- 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 Toulouse Airport in private vehicles
- 1 x Exclusive Band of Climbers Escape Jersey
*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
- Additional nights accommodation if arriving early or departing late
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 £1850.00 per person. £200 non-refundable deposit is payable upon booking your place, with the balance of £1650 to be paid 14 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
Recommended Flight Info
Arrivals : Please fly into Toulouse Airport BEFORE 11:00am on Sunday 2nd June 2024, in order to join our scheduled transfer for our riders at circa 11:30am. If you cannot find a flight that lands before 11:00am. We suggest flying in a day early, on the 1st, and staying in an airport hotel overnight (not included).
Departures : Please book a return flight AFTER 09.30 from Toulouse Airport on Saturday 8th June to your chosen destination. Our scheduled transfer is based on the earliest flight time of all guests. But your flight should not be before 09:30am due to the transfer time to the airport. Any flights booked before 09:30am will require a private transfer at an additional cost of £300.
Cancellations and Refunds
Please view our cancellation and refund policy
For any questions about this Escape, please email us at hello@bandofclimbers.com
How fit do I need to be?
How fit do I need to be?
BoC Escapes are not races, they're an adventure. We ride socially, with a cafe/coffee stop midway through each ride.
That said, BoC Escapes are tough. You'll ride 6 back to back big days with up to 4000m of climbing (13,000ft) per day.
We would suggest you should be capable of climbing for at least 90 minutes at a gradient of 7% without stopping. Average speeds are very difficult to gauge, but most riders on our Escapes will average at least 10kph per hour (6mph) on a climb of 7%. Some will ride much quicker of course, but you are free to ride at your own pace.
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 guides will be on the road with you at all times.
We aim to ride as a group, although on long climbs we usually split up, before regrouping at the summits, or cafe stops if the temperatures at the summits are too cold.
Of course, some riders will be faster than others, but we try to 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. It's a chance to test your own legs at your own pace.
Can I attend as a solo rider?
Can I attend as a solo rider?
Absolutely! Around 95% of all our Escape riders come on their own. Making new friendships is a big part of our Escapes. This is why we cap numbers at a maximum of 16 riders.
How do shared rooms work?
How do shared rooms work?
1. We do not mix males and females in shared rooms (unless booked as a couple or on request by both parties)
2. All rooms are twin beds, with en suite bathrooms
3. Rooms are allocated at random, unless booked as pairs or couples.
4. We can allocate rooms to friends on request (email us once booked)
5. If we have one single female, on a trip of 10 male riders, the female will be given a single room, to avoid sharing with a male (unless requested). Likewise, if we have a trip with 10 females, a solo male will be given a single room.
6. 95% of our guests come as solo riders. Making new friendships is a big part of our Escapes.
Can I have a single room?
Can I have a single room?
Single rooms are available in some Escape Destinations with a supplement of £250. Single rooms must be booked with your deposit as a single room may not be available closer to the escape.
What support is available each day?
What support is available each day?
You will have 2 or 3 BoC ride guides on the road with you at all times. We'll ride with you, and ensure no rider is left behind.
We also have a support van on most Escapes (Excluding Mallorca) which carries tools, spares, and your bad weather kit, plus energy gels and food. So you don't need to carry anything.
If your legs decide to give up, or you need a rest, you are welcome to ride in the van and miss a climb or section if you need to, or end your ride early.
Can I rent a bike?
Can I rent a bike?
We can help you to rent a road bike in all of our Escape Destinations.
We can offer Basso Bike Rental in Mallorca, the Dolomites and the French Alps.
We do not rent bikes ourselves, but we have recommended rental partners in each destination and we can assist in the rental, pickup and return of your bike.
Are meals included?
Are meals included?
All of our Escapes include Breakfasts and evening meals. In most locations, a set menu is offered with a 3 to 5 course evening dinner. Wine and Beer is included in some locations, but alcoholic drinks are extra in others.
We can cater for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free etc...
Each day, we eat breakfast and dinner together, around one table. This allows further friendships to form away from the road. The dining experience is a big part of our Escapes!
Lunch is not included, as we stop at a cafe mid way around each ride. A typical lunch stop will take 30-45 minutes, and you are free to eat/drink whatever you choose from our planned cafe.
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellations and Refunds
Please view our cancellation and refund policy. We offer a simple and flexible policy which allows you to simply transfer to any other future Escape (subject to availability) should you need to cancel, even at short notice.
Who is a typical Escape rider?
Who is a typical Escape rider?
Our riders travel from all over the world. We've had riders from South America, Australia, Asia, North America and across Europe. usually very keen cyclists, most Escape riders are aged between 25 and 55, although we've had younger, and older too!
Most riders travel individually, but we've had small groups of friends, married couples, and father son combos too.
Can I bring a non-riding partner?
Can I bring a non-riding partner?
Yes! We can accommodate a non riding partner, and offer a discount of £150. To arrange this, book with the deposit option, and email us to explain that one guest will not be riding, and we'll arrange that discount from the final balance payment.
