[VC Walcot] Summer riding in the Pyrenees

[Mark Baile Hotmail]

Hello mate, am I already in this?
Cheers,
Mark

On 22 Feb 2010, at 17:47, Peter Giddings  
<honed_coaching at hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> On a day when sleet and grey clouds might have kept you from turning  
> the pedals, I bring you some welcome fodder for day dreaming. A ride  
> called the Devil's Pitchfork over sun drenched French roads...
>
> I have arranged with Pyractif to run a weeks trip to visit them in  
> the Haute Pyrenees this May with the view to ride some big climbs,  
> recce the Etape route and enjoy some early season sunshine. The date  
> set is May 29th to June 6th (Sat to Sat) so you've plenty of time to  
> enjoy the fitness you'll bring back over the rest of the Summer. And  
> it will only cost you 515 Euro plus some flights.
>
> The large farm house we'll be staying in is in Bertren 20km from  
> Bagniere de Luchon which is hosting not one but two stages of the  
> Tour de France this year. Chris and Helen will be hosting and  
> they're fantastic at making you feel at home and serve up 7 hearty  
> breakfasts and 5 tasty local dinners suitable for a hungry cyclists.  
> On their evening off, they'll ferry us to and from a great local  
> restaurant for a bit of regional cuisine. The house is fitted out to  
> a high standard so you and your bike can be comfortable and well  
> maintained, hot tub, workshop and brilliantly comfy lounge make it  
> the perfect base to ride from.
>
> There are two options for the week so that anyone who comes will get  
> the most from the trip whatever their level. As its me, they'll also  
> be a little competition thrown into the mix for those who feel like  
> it.
>
> Option 1-for the experienced mountain goat:
> You'll recce the entire route of the Etape du Tour over the first  
> two days with vehicle support and transfers to and from the course,  
> climbing the Marie Blanc and Col du Soulor on the first day before  
> tackling the Tourmalet on the second. After those two days you'll  
> rejoin the main group for an easy day of rolling valleys before  
> building up (including a mountain TT just for fun) ready for Fridays  
> Devil's Pitchfork epic...
>
> Option 2 - for everyone else:
> You'll find your climbing legs over the first two days, building up  
> from 3rd, 2nd and 1st cat climbs before tackling the HC climbs later  
> in the week. We'll also do some easy skills sessions so that you  
> know how best to tame mountain and can get the most from the rides  
> later in the week. An easy day Wednesday will lead you into the TT  
> on Thursday (you can spectate if you would rather) then comes the  
> piece de resitance, the Devils Pitchfork...
>
> Chris has found 5 routes which all centre on Luchon to test the  
> mettle of any cyclist. Whether you are building for the Marmotte or  
> the Etape or just want a great day in the mountains riding this will  
> be a fantastic challenge.
>
> Backstedt Level: 108km climbing 2060m including Col de Portillon and  
> the HC Super Bagneres
> Wiggins Level:    136km climbing 3000m adding the Peyresourde
> Armstrong Level: 182km climbing 3930m 4 cols including the infamous  
> Port de Bales
> Coppi Level:       194km climbing 4400m 5 cols notching up the  
> Hospice de France too
> Mercx Level:       212km climbing 5000m extended version for fullly  
> devilish experience
>
> All the rides start together and centre on Luchon so we'll arrange a  
> base so everyone can meet for coffee/lunch/a nap throughout the day.  
> This will be a great way to end a week of riding no matter whether  
> you're training on the Etape recce or enjoying some amazing roads  
> with the laughing group, it'd be great if some Walcotters could  
> makie it along.
>
> If you are interested then get in touch with myself or Chris on pyractif at gmail.com 
>  ASAP. Be quick though as half the spaces are already taken!
>
> See you all on the club run soon.
>
> Pete
>
>
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