We are delighted to confirm the routes for our two weekend trips to the Pyrenees in June 2025…..
WEEKEND ONE: SOLD OUT
The riding in the first weekend will be similar to our 2024 expedition (see photos below) as we are using exactly the same routes (because the riders booked are, mainly, first timers).
Thursday 5th June to Monday 9th June (Focusing mainly on a variety of local rides inclunding scenic gorges, cols and at least one high mountain)
DAY ONE: BIKE TEST RIDE 44km, 654m ascent – a short ride but with a climb back to the accomodation to set the scene. THURSDAY 5th JULY
DAY TWO GORGES 90km, 2.048m ascent – although dipping down to some beautiful gorges, remember that the climb back up is the equivalent to a mountain climb and will mentally prepare you for the next day’s assault of the Pailheres! FRIDAY 6th JULY
DAY THREE COL DE PAILHERES 92km, 2.397m ascent – Pailheres 2,001m high 871m ascent average gradient 8.2% SATURDAY 7th JULY
DAY FOUR VALLEY RIDE 53km, 618m ascent scenic ride to contrast the day before! SUNDAY 8th JULY
DAY FIVE RECOVERY RIDE 38km, 672m ascent MONDAY 9th JULY
WEEKEND TWO: SOLD OUT
Thursday 12th June to Monday 16th June (Aimed at travelling out to some famous cols by minibus to bag some famous Tour de France cols – a contribution to minibus fuel costs will apply, to be paid whilst there)
DAY SIX: BIKE TEST RIDE 44km 654m ascent – a short ride but with a climb back to the accomodation to set the scene (same as weekend one) THURSDAY 12th JULY
DAY SEVEN GORGE DE GALAMUS 121km, 1,722m ascent – You can’t beat a ride through the dramatic sceneray of a great gorge, this time it’s Gorge de Galamus. FRIDAY 13th JULY
DAY EIGHT COL BAGGING 140km, 2,849m ascent – Mur de Peguere 1,375m high 418m ascent average gradient 12% – Port de Lers 1,517m high 807m ascent average gradient 7% – Col d’Agnes 1,570m high 826m ascent average gradient 8.1% SATURDAY 14th JULY
DAY NINE MIREPOIX LOOP 125km, 1,496m ascent – includes Col de Montsegur (*see below) which has featured in both the Tour de France and Vuelta d’Espagne 1.051m high 563m ascent average gradient 3.9% (max 12%) SUNDAY 15th JULY
DAY TEN RECOVERY RIDE 38km, 672m ascent (same as weekend one) MONDAY 16th JULY
Incidentally, for those riding on Friday 13th, the origins of the ‘unlucky’ superstition are unclear but one theory is linked to the demise of the Knights Templars. At dawn on Friday, 13 October 1307, King Philip IV had scores of French Templars simultaneously arrested (effectively endorsed by the Pope under duress). The arrest warrant started with the words: “Dieu n’est pas content, nous avons des ennemis de la foi dans le Royaume” (“God is not pleased. We have enemies of the faith in the kingdom.”). The Templars had a strong presence in Languedoc. Prior to that, another Roman Catholic Crusade, the Albegensian Herecy was unleashed in the region and destroyed the Cathars. The siege of *Montsegur (1243), where we visit in weekend two, was one of the last stands of the Cathars. The Catholic Church’s feared ‘Inquisition’ began in the region too, designed to persecute Cathars. In part, this history led to a book published in the 1980s called the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (a best seller) in which a (false) theory was created based on the peculiar riches of a priest in Rennes le Chateau in the early 20th Century (the writers had made a BBC documentary about the preist at Rennes le Chateau who mysteriously became very rich when refurbishing the church). This book’s constructed theory was later dramatised into Dan Brown’s book and the film (with Tom Hanks) called The Da Vinci Code. Rennes le Chateau is en route from Carcassone airport.
Accomodation based in Espezel
PICTURES FROM 2024
