L'Etape du Tour 2012

As in 2011, we have a double-challenge for riders who might want to face up to the rigours of riding a full Tour de France stage in 2012. After an Alpine Etape on the weekend of the 7th/8th July the focus of attention will turn to the Pyrenees on Saturday 14th, with a magnificent Bastille Day Etape over the Tour's four most historic climbs.

The Pau to Luchon route requires riders to master the combined challenges of the Cols d'Aubisque, Soulor, Tourmalet, Aspin & Peyresourde. 197km steeped in Tour heritage; around 5000 leg-sapping metres of elevation gain. This is the stuff of cycling legend; a parcours where, for amateur cyclists, reputations can be made - and lost!

Entry to the event will be available online at www.letapedutour.com. from mid-day on Thursday 17th November. No need to pay inflated entry-only prices to 'official' package holiday firms catering to hundreds of riders. Instead, receive the extra expertise & personal attention that comes with being part of a smaller group.

The PyrActif offer will include:

Option 1 - Etape du Tour weekend; £429 per rider   

You'll be collected from Toulouse airport on the afternoon of Thu 12th July and we'll then take you directly to our accommodation. You can assemble your bike either that afternoon or on the morning of Fri 13th July before we head to the Etape Registration Village to secure your timing chip, dossard number and 'goody bag'. You'll also have access to the Mavic mechanics at the start village if your re-assembled bike isn't working quite how you'd like it to. Then we'll return to base for dinner, kit preparation & general relaxation before the exertions lying ahead on Race Day. For anyone keen to take a warm-up spin on Friday, our location has an excellent choice of flat, valley roads or minor climbs (2-7km at 4-6%) on which to give your legs a gentle work-out.

The Etape usually starts at 7 a.m. and riders are required to be in their 'start pen' by 6.15 a.m., so we will arrange an early breakfast to ensure we can be in Pau in good time. Riders & their bikes will be transported by minibus to a drop-off point close to the Etape start pens.

After you've completed your ride, we'll meet you at a pre-arranged location close to the finish in Luchon. You'll be able to access clean, fresh clothing, drinks, food and any other essential items you've brought in your day-bag, before we return to base. Back 'home', showered & relaxed, we'll celebrate the day's achievements with a hearty dinner & perhaps a glass or two of something suitable!

On departure day, you'll be transferred back to Toulouse airport (around mid-day). We will ensure that you're back to Toulouse in time to check in for the Gatwick (Easyjet) flight departing at around 5 p.m. or the Heathrow (BA) flight which leaves at around 6 p.m.

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Option 2 - Etape du Tour reconnaissance mini-break; £429 per rider

Once you've committed yourself to the event and put in the base miles training in the Spring, then there really is no better way to prepare for 'the real thing' than to come and pre-ride the Etape course sometime ahead of July. The pros do it. Many very experienced Etapers do it. All the first-timers who do so recognise what a major part it can play in their success 'on E-day'. We've run highly effective Etape training mini-breaks on each of the last three occasions that the event has visited our 'home turf' here in the Pyrenees and we'll be heading up to the start village to do so again in 2012.

Our 'Recce' packages will include: