Tour de France cycling tour

We will be available to meet you all at the Barcelona Airport or Train Station at around 2:00pm. This afternoon is all about getting ready for the coming days so during the early afternoon there will be a bike fitting. During dinner the Sierra team will provide a briefing of the fantastic cycling that now awaits.

Meals: Dinner Included / Sleep: Barcelona (Spain)

This morning, we’ll set off on a guided ride which first passes the famous Tibidabo attraction park. The views looking back on Barcelona are always worth the effort! Tibidabo forms the gateway to the Collserola and d’Horta natural parks. You will enjoy a fantastic loop which takes in 75km and 1300m elevation gain. We need to make sure we are back at the hotel with enough time before watching the pros battle it out during a twilight team time-trial. 

Distance: 75km (1300m elevation) / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Barcelona (Spain)

The stage start is located near the coast approximately 100km south of Barcelona. When the riders get to Barcelona they will tackle a local circuit which includes the Montjuic climb three times. To mix things up our tour group in the morning will drive approximately 30min out to Castelldelfels on the race course. This way we will be on the course well before the pro’s. As a minimum, you will get the chance to ride 60km of today’s stage including the Cote de Begues and Cote de Santa Creu d’Olorda race climbs. Both climbs range between 6-8km in length and the 5-6% average grade. Watching the race as it comes over the summit of Cote de Santa Creu d’Olorda will be something to remember.

Distance: 80km (1250m elevation) / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included / Sleep: Barcelona

Today we leave Barcelona, but there is still some local TDF Stage 3 action to catch. In the morning we will cycle east of Barcelona and intersect with the stage start in Granollers. Watching the riders around the team buses, the sign-on region and then depart is always a highlight. With the race crossing into France today we will also spend the afternoon transitioning from Barcelona to near the Spanish/French Pyrenees border. This will include a 3.5hr drive with a stop-off along the way. Time to get some good rest as tomorrow there is an epic day of cycling in store!

Distance: 75km (1000m elevation) / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Ainsa (Spain)

Today we will take a rest from the Tour de France. By doing this it provides the perfect chance to ride up the world-famous Col du Tourmalet. The Tourmalet is a challenging climb (18km / 7.2% average grade) which is probably the most famous of all TDF ‘cols’ with over 100 race route passings! A highlight for everyone is greeting the giant structure (`Geant`) dedicated to Octave Lapize the first cyclist to cross the Tourmalet during the TDF over a century ago. From the summit the cycling route then descends to the quaint Luz St Sauveur township. The Gorge du Luz road now awaits before the asphalted bike path which links Argeles-Gazost with Lourdes.

Distance: 70km or 100km options / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included / Sleep: Lourdes (France)

Cycling from Lourdes, one of the great Pyrenees climb doubles is calling us – Col d’Aubisque and Col du Soulor! The hors categorie Col d’Aubisque climb has been passed 45 times during the Tour de France making it the second most used climb in race history. The 17km climb with 7% average grade is a constant test but the oversized TDF commemorative bikes at the summit always make an excellent photo shoot! On the way to ‘Aubisque’ you will cycle the dramatic mountain road which links the Soulor and Aubisque summits. The road breathtakingly hugs the cliffs of the Cirque du Litor, passes two striking tunnels and is simply a balcony cycling road experience like no other.

From the top of ‘Soulor’ we descend to connect with the road that continues all the way through to Pau and the TDF Stage 5 finish. Today will finally be a day for the sprinters to shine in Pau! Following the stage finish there will be a 1hr van transfer back to Lourdes.

Distance: 80km (1150m elevation gain) / Meals: Breakfast Included / Sleep: Lourdes (France)

A hotel to hotel ride which intersects TDF Stage 6 is on offer today. With Stage 6 coming through Lourdes later in the day we will head off on our initial 60km route to Capvern. The TDF race organisers have set a scenic route following quiet roads through to Capvern. As we climb out of the valley to Capvern we will take our position on the Tour de France course. When the thrill of the race passes by we will continue cycling the final 40km back to Lourdes. Tonight we will celebrate what has been a fantastic week of cycling through both Spain and France!

Distance: 100km (1200m elevation gain) / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included / Sleep: Lourdes (France)

Following breakfast the guides will be available to transfer you directly to Toulouse Blagnac Airport by 12 noon. Please keep this time in mind if you need to book onwards international flights. From here we will say our goodbyes before you continue on your own adventures.

Meals: Breakfast included