Brought to you by
The Tour de France is unique. It’s the world’s biggest annual sporting event and it takes place across three weeks in staggering scenery. What’s so special about cycling is that you can ride the same climbs yourself.
You can’t play football at Wembley or tennis on centre court at Wimbledon, but you can take on the mighty Col du Tourmalet and compare yourself to the likes of Tour winner Tadej Pogacar. You can even enjoy a similar level of support on and off the bike.
Escape to the Pyrenees is a charming, cycling-focused guest house, perfectly located in the heart of the French Pyrenees, 16km (10 miles) south of Lourdes, surrounded by the most famous climbs of the Tour de France, such as the Tourmalet, Col du Soulor and Hautacam, all of which featured in the race again this year, and many more. You can ride big routes right from the door for a week with no repetition.
The signed jerseys on the walls tell you that you’re somewhere special, somewhere cycling obsessed: Bradley Wiggins’s yellow jersey, Mark Cavendish’s green jersey and Peter Sagan’s world champion rainbow jersey are just three of the iconic maillots hanging here. Elsewhere, huge photo prints capture the beauty of the surrounding climbs.
Passion meets performance with the fully-equipped garage and support car. “I wanted to create the perfect cycling holiday,” says owner and creator Jamie Wilkins, an accomplished cyclist himself. The reviews and high rate of returning guests suggest he succeeded.
The food is equal to the world-famous riding. A professional chef prepares a gourmet, three-course dinner each night that is nutritionally tailored to the demands of the rides, and each day starts with a huge spread for breakfast to fuel your battles with the gradients.
The converted farmhouse has five comfortable and spacious ensuite guest rooms, and beautiful dining spaces indoors and out.
On the road is where the magic really happens. The scenery is stunning from the first kilometre and the tarmac blissfully smooth. Thanks to pro-level support, you can focus on the experience and your effort. The support car carries bottles, nutrition, spare clothing and tools, so you can enjoy riding light while knowing every eventuality is covered.
An expert guide leads the way, with advice available on everything from descending technique to pacing, training, nutrition, and beyond. “With our support, many guests are amazed at what they’re able to achieve,” says Wilkins, “and feel like they’re going home as a better cyclist thanks to what they learn riding with us.”
Perhaps the ultimate experience is ‘Tour de France week’, which combines spectating roadside on multiple stages with guided and supported rides.
“It’s a very special experience,” Wilkins continues. “You get to ride up the mountain just a few hours ahead of the pros, with thousands of fans cheering you on, see the world’s best riders battle it out within touching distance, then descend back to our place for another wonderful dinner and do it all again the next day.”
For the passionate cyclist, it doesn’t get any better.
Quick tips to maximise your cycling holiday
Pacing
Aim to stay under 80% of max heart rate or mid-Z3 power. You should be able to talk in half sentences while climbing. If you’re gasping out each word, you’re going too hard! Aim to finish each climb feeling like you could have gone harder and each day feeling like you could have done more. That will get you through to the final day without being on your knees.
Nutrition
Eat regularly during rides, every 20-30 minutes, and have carb mix in your bottles, too. Longer rides require a higher rate of fuelling. Keep eating through the last hour.
Recovery
Hydrate, get carbs in straight after each ride and load up at dinner and breakfast, stretch, wear compression leggings, get a massage, take a nap, and (sorry) avoid alcohol until the last night. Save it up and toast an epic week of riding!
No panic training
In the last two weeks before your trip, you can’t get fitter, only tired. Taper off your training during this time to arrive fresh and ready to climb.
Optimise your rental bike
Take your own saddle and exact measurements for your riding position to ensure comfort.
Start planning your dream cycling holiday at escapetothepyrenees.com
