French Pyrenees Foothills: Atlantic to Mediterranean

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
This tour was led in May, 2014. It begins on May 16, 2017 in Biarritz, France, and ends on May 31, 2017 in Collioure, France. This tour goes to 8 Michelin star rated towns and gives riders the opportunity to see 17 star rated attractions. We ride from the Pyrenees Atlantiques through the Haute Pyrenees, Haute Garonne, Ariege and Aude to the Pyrenees Orientale. In the Pyrenees Atlantiques we ride along the beautiful strategic Route Imperiale des Cimes to Salies de Bearn, which is on the border between the occupied and free zones in WWII. We continue to Lourdes, the largest Christian pilgrimage site in the western world; Bagneres de Bigorre, an old gothic style town; and along the Route des Pyrenees to the thermal springs town of Luchon. Next we ride through the department of Ariege, where we pass a famous prehistoric site on our way to the historic town of Foix. Finally we ride through small towns in Aude on our way to a small town in the Pyrenees-Orientales, and to Collioure, a picturesque resort on the Mediterranean. The terrain is hilly, but avoids difficult passes and goes through several beautiful river valleys. We stay in 3 towns for two nights with opportunities to ride, do sightseeing or hike. We ride on small country roads with minimal distances on busy roads. Participants must be comfortable using maps with route sheets.

RIDE RATING
The ride is rated 2B with an average daily distance of 41 miles and average elevation gain of 2315 feet. There are 5 days that slightly exceed the 2B rating, and they are indicated below with an (*).  There is no required riding on day 5 in Bagneres de Bigorre, day 7 in Bagneres de Luchon, day 10 in Foix & day 14 in Collioure, as we are in those towns 2 nights. We will provide optional rides for those days. All route distances and elevations below come from actual data collected with 2 Garmin 800s on the May, 2014 tour. 

• Day 1 Biarritz to St. Palais 38 miles and 3130 feet of climbing *
• Day 2 St. Palais to Salies de Bearn 27 miles and 2011 feet of climbing
• Day 3 Salies to Arudy 45 miles and 2884 feet of elevation gain *
• Day 4 Arudy to Bagneres de Bigorre via Lourdes 45 miles and 2877 feet of elevation gain *
• Day 6 Bigorre to Bagneres de Luchon 49 miles and 2766 feet of elevation gain *
• Day 8 Luchon to St Girons 54 miles and 2388 feet of elevation gain *
• Day 9 St Girons to Foix 34 miles and 1365 feet of elevation gain
• Day 11 Foix to Couiza 44 miles and 1946 feet of elevation gain
• Day 12 Couiza to Bélesta 37 miles and 2795 feet of elevation gain *
• Day 13 Bélesta to Collioure 38 miles and 997 feet of elevation gain

WEATHER
The temperatures average 65°F, but can get as high as 75°F. The average low temperature is about 60°F. Nevertheless, expect the unexpected. Weather varies from the coast to the mountains. Be prepared for warm, cold, wet, dry, calm and windy.

LODGING & MEALS
The accommodations are mostly 3 star hotels with one 2 star and three 4 star hotels. There will be four 2-night stays during the trip. We have overnights in Biarritz, St. Palais, Salies de Bearn, Arudy, Bagneres de Bigorre (2 nights), Bagneres de Luchon (2 nights), St. Girons, Foix (2 nights), Couiza, Bélesta and Collioure (2 nights). Highlights include the Route Imperiale des Cimes used by Napolean 1st, the prehistoric Grotte Mas d'Azil, the Gorges de Galamus and many different cultures in the Pyrenees, such as Basque and Cathar.

Group dinners: In order to provide you with some choice we ask hotels to serve two main dishes to each couple. If you receive one dish and prefer the other, you may trade with others. Very few hotels allow a group to order off the menu and some insist on serving only one main dish. Participants may not wear jeans, shorts or t-shirts to group dinners.

LOGISTICS
The trip starts at 6:00 PM on May 16 in Biarritz, France and ends after breakfast on May 31 in Collioure, France. Bike boxes will be carried in the luggage van. You can fly to Biarritz (BIQ) OR fly to Paris (CDG) and take the TGV to Biarritz. You should plan to take the train from Collioure to Toulouse BLAGNAC airport via Perpignan and fly out of Toulouse BLAGNAC.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimate cost of $2150 posted above is per person, double occupancy and based on the exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.20 US.  The actual cost of the trip may change with currency exchange rate fluctuations.  The cost will include 15 nights lodging, plus 15 breakfasts, 12 dinners, luggage transfer, daily route review and local sightseeing information.  Electronic versions of maps and route sheets will be sent, and participants are expected to print their own copies of them. GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS before the trip begins. The initial deposit $1000 does not include the $100 BAC registration fee.  Additional payments of $575 each are due on August 1 and November 1, 2016. Josh Shade will be the van driver and his primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies.  While the van will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a sag vehicle and participants are expected to complete each required ride day.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome and encouraged to find compatible roommates and/or riding partners. The Ride Directors will introduce and assist singles to find roommates, but singles must make their own rooming decision. We do not take solos due to room limitations.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee of $100 for this tour is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List. At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee online. Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $1000 will be due. To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.