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 and 2017. It begins on September 16, 2026 in Biarritz, France, and ends on September 30, 2026 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 was 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. 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. The terrain is hilly, but avoids difficult passes and goes through several beautiful river valleys. We stay in 4 towns for two nights with opportunities to ride, sightsee or hike. We ride on small country roads with minimal distances on busy roads. Participants must be comfortable using maps with route sheets.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
The guidelines/directives of the governments in the regions where tours are to take place and those of participants’ home countries must be followed. The most up-to-date country-specific information will be consulted since a disease situation can rapidly evolve. A plan will be developed by the ride leaders and communicated to all individuals.

Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

We will meet with tour participants 60 days prior to the tour start date using a video conference to discuss as a group how we will proceed if participants get sick. All participants must attend the video conference. You may be required to wear PPE in public, maintain social distance in public and limit social gathering in public depending on whether there is a health outbreak in the area. Tests may be requested. Ideally we would like to consider our group a healthy bubble.

RIDE RATING
The ride is rated 2B with an average daily distance of 41 miles and average elevation gain of 2286 feet. There are 4 days that exceed the 2B rating, 3200 ft in 38 miles, 2850 ft in 44 miles, 2870 ft in 47 miles and 2700 ft in 27 miles. 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 come from actual data collected with 2 Garmin 800s on the May, 2017 tour. 

CUE SHEETS, MAPS AND GPS FILES
Electronic versions of maps and route sheets will be provided, 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 or phone app before the tour begins.

WEATHER
The daytime temperatures average 65°F, but have been as high as 79°F. The average overnight low temperatures are in the 50s°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 on this trip are mostly owner-operated with two 2-star, five 3-star, and four 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), Lorp-Sentaraille, Foix (2 nights), Couiza, Bélesta and Collioure (2 nights).

Daily route reviews before our group dinners will include a glass of wine, beer, soft drink, juice or water with a small snack. Drinks at dinner are normally extra.

We use your Preferences in your Profile to try and accommodate your special medical and dietary needs. In order to provide you with some choices at dinner 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 blue jeans, shorts or t-shirts to group dinners.

LOGISTICS

The trip starts on September 15, 2026 at 6 PM at the Sofitel Biarritz le Miramar Thalassa in Biarritz, France with dinner at 7:30 PM and ends after breakfast on September 30 in Collioure, France.  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.

We will have a luggage van and van driver. The van's primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies, as well as transporting of bike boxes. While it will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a sag vehicle and participants are expected to complete the ride each day. 

Tandems, e-bikes and rental bicycles are welcome, but riders are expected to bring or arrange for their own bikes. If for some reason you need the van to transport your bicycle, you must be able to lift it into the van unless you're injured. We invite a participant who wants to rent, to volunteer to coordinate rental bicycles for the group. If you're considering an E-Bike, please talk with the Ride Leader.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
The estimate cost of $2800 posted above is per person, double occupancy and based on the exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.14 US.  The actual cost of the trip may change with currency exchange rate fluctuations.  The cost will include 15 nights lodging, plus 15 breakfasts, 11 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 $900 each are due on August 1, 2025 and January 15, 2026.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome, but encouraged to find compatible roommates and/or riding partners. Ride Directors will introduce and assist singles to find roommates, but singles must make their own rooming decision. We do not accept solos, as the number of rooms available are limited.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. 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. 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.

INSURANCE STATEMENT
Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for COVID and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible. 

SIGN-UP
To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card.. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.